Everyone has their absolute go-to bagel order, and for many, it is undoubtedly an “everything” bagel loaded up with a thick schmear of cream cheese! But everything bagel seasoning is no longer reserved just for breakfast.
You can pick up a canister of all that garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seed goodness right in the spice aisle of the grocery store. When you toss it with buttery oyster crackers and savory parmesan cheese, it creates an incredibly addictive, crunchy snack that is simply too good not to share!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 Ingredients: You just need oyster crackers, butter, everything bagel seasoning, and parmesan cheese!
- Virtually Zero Prep: Just dump, toss, and bake. It takes less than 5 minutes to get these into the oven.
- The Perfect Party Snack: They are cheap to make in massive batches, making them ideal for game days, holidays, or simple weekend snacking.
- The Ultimate Soup Topper: Swap out plain crackers and use a handful of these to top your favorite creamy soups!
What You’ll Need
- 1 box (12 oz) Oyster crackers: The perfect bite-sized canvas for the butter and spices!
- ¾ cup Butter: Melted. (Using unsalted butter is highly recommended here, as the parmesan and bagel seasoning already contain a good amount of salt!).
- ½ cup Everything bagel seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought brand.
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese: Grated.
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
Prep time: 5 minutes | Bake time: 8–10 minutes | Total time: approx. 15 minutes | Yield: About 8 Cups
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cheese and butter from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: The Butter Toss
Pour the entire box of oyster crackers into a massive mixing bowl. Drizzle the melted butter directly over the top of the crackers and gently toss them with a large spatula until every single cracker is coated.
Step 3: Add the Flavor
Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning and the grated parmesan cheese over the buttered crackers. Toss the mixture vigorously until the crackers are completely and evenly heavily coated in the spices!
Step 4: The Low Bake
💡 Crucial Step: Transfer the coated crackers to your prepared baking sheet, spreading them out into a single, even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, pulling the pan out to flip and stir the crackers halfway through the baking time so they toast evenly!
Step 5: Cool and Store
Remove the pan from the oven. Allow the crackers to cool completely right on the baking sheet! (They will continue to crisp up as they cool down). Once cooled, enjoy immediately or transfer to an airtight container.
💡 Expert Tips for Success
- Let Them Cool: Do not skip the cooling process! If you put warm crackers into a sealed container, the trapped steam will make them soggy instead of crunchy.
- The Low Temp: Baking these at a low 300°F ensures the butter soaks into the crackers and the garlic/onion bits in the seasoning gently toast without burning and turning bitter.
Variations and Substitutions
- The Spicy Kick: If you love a little heat, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the bagel seasoning before tossing!
- The Cheesy Upgrade: You can substitute the parmesan for a sharp powdered cheddar cheese, or even add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for an extra savory, cheesy depth.
- The Cracker Swap: If you don’t have oyster crackers, this exact same recipe works phenomenally well with mini pretzels, Cheez-Its, or even plain Cheerios to make a homemade snack mix!
Serving Suggestions
- The Party Bowl: Serve these completely cooled in massive wooden bowls on the coffee table or kitchen island for guests to casually graze on.
- The Charcuterie Board: These make an absolutely fantastic, savory addition to a meat and cheese board to add some necessary crunch!
- The Comfort Bowl: Float a handful of these seasoned bites on top of a hot bowl of creamy tomato soup or clam chowder instead of traditional plain crackers!
Bagels are such a timeless classic with their chewy texture and satisfying flavor