Contrary to common popular assumption, plain saltine crackers are far from the dull, one-note pantry staple most people write them off as. “You can do so much more with these crispy squares than just crumble them into a pot of chili or chicken noodle soup,” culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin shared in a recent cooking video. She walked through dozens of creative, crowd-pleasing ways to use these iconic salty crackers, spanning crave-worthy appetizers, hearty sides, and addictive irresistible sweet-and-salty desserts.
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01 of 10
Magic Meatball Crackers
"These tiny magic meatball sliders served on crispy toasted saltines are the perfect shareable bite. Every bite delivers ideal salty crunch, paired with gooey melted cheese and rich, savory meatball flavor." —Nicole McLaughlin
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02 of 10
Alabama Fire Crackers
"Fire crackers are an affordable, zesty, no-cook party snack that comes together in minutes. They are incredibly delicious and pair perfectly with a warm bowl of chili." —I phill hungry
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03 of 10
Saltine Cracker Toffee
"This addictive saltine cracker toffee is made by layering whole saltines, then topping them with homemade toffee, melted chocolate, and chopped nuts for an incredibly crunchy, crowd-pleasing treat." —Tracy
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04 of 10
Chef John's Crab Cakes
"Try this crab cake recipe to experience what properly made crab cakes are supposed to taste like. They’re packed full of fresh crabmeat, held together with just a small amount of saltine filler, then fried to golden perfection. Absolutely delicious!" —Chef John
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05 of 10
Old-Fashioned Scalloped Corn
"This scalloped corn is a cozy, flavorful country-style creamed corn casserole, topped with a crunchy buttery saltine crumb topping." —Cali
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06 of 10
Georgia Cracker Salad
"This Georgia cracker salad is a traditional Southern staple that gets its signature crunch from saltine crackers. It tastes best when served immediately after prepping." —CHEAPMARYHUNT
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07 of 10
Old-Fashioned Cracker Dressing
"This classic old-fashioned cracker dressing makes the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or alongside a juicy roast chicken. It’s made with simple, staple ingredients: saltine crackers, celery, onions, and fresh herbs. It’s simple, hearty, and always satisfying." —Chef John
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08 of 10
Atlantic Beach Pie
A crumbly, buttery crust made from crushed saltines is the perfect tangy, salty base for this irresistibly creamy citrus pie.
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09 of 10
Soda Cracker Pie
"This pie is delicious, whether you serve it with or without a sweet filling. I make mine with pecans, then top it with fresh whipped cream and a light shake of nutmeg. You can also skip the pecans and fill the crust with a bright fruit filling like lemon. I use finely crushed saltines (soda crackers) for the crust, though it works just as well with graham crackers or buttery round crackers." —Penny
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10 of 10
Saltine Cracker Pudding
"This saltine cracker pudding is comfort food at its finest! Serve it warm or cold, stir in raisins or dates for extra sweetness, and have fun customizing this easy, cozy recipe!" —tignor
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