Za’atar Fire Crackers

These fire crackers aren’t the kind that you light on national holidays for a colorful flair. Rather, they’re an utterly flavorful snack that’s an upgrade from pre-seasoned store-bought crackers. Toasted plain oyster crackers get a flavor boost from warm spices including crushed red pepper and garlic powder, plus brightness from the sumac in za’atar, a Middle Eastern seasoning blend. Despite the amount of crushed red pepper that’s called for (a whopping one tablespoon), these crackers aren’t flaming hot but rather have a remarkably well-balanced flavor. 

Frequently asked questions

What is za'atar?

Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that usually consists of sumac, sesame seeds, and za’atar itself, a leafy herb that has a taste similar to oregano. You can make Za’atar Seasoning at home, and you can find it at most grocery stores and at specialty spice retailers. 

How should I serve za’atar fire crackers?

These crackers make an excellent snack on their own, and they are worthy of your next charcuterie board or as a topping for soups and salads. You can place them in a cellophane bag and tie with a bow for an edible homemade gift, too.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

To make sure the crackers are evenly coated with the spice mixture, F&W associate editorial director Chandra Ram recommends massaging the sides of the bag to redistribute any clumped spices. Do this regularly as the crackers marinate to ensure an even distribution of spice. For the best color, we recommend marinating these crackers in the spice blend for a full 12 hours. That is, if you can bear to wait that long.

Use your favorite store-bought oyster crackers as the base for this recipe.

This recipe is especially nice with a fresh, homemade za’atar, such as Lior Lev Sercarz’s Za’atar Seasoning blend. But if you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to make the za’atar spice blend from scratch, it’s still very good when made with a high-quality pre-made option such as Spicewalla Za’atar seasoning.

Make ahead

Za’atar Fire Crackers are delicious right out of the oven, and they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Feel free to reheat the crackers gently in the oven until they’re warm to the touch.