Smoked Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its Recipe - Easy Snack

Introduction

If you’ve never smoked Cheez Its before, get ready for one of the easiest snacks you can ever throw together on the smoker. These Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its take a classic cracker and turn it into something you can’t stop picking at. A little smoky heat, a little ranch, and that crunchy bite make this one of my favorite quick snacks.

Why You’ll Love These Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its

Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its are perfect when you need something simple but still want that backyard BBQ vibe. They only take a couple ingredients and you can scale the flavor exactly how you like it. They also hold up really well for parties or game day because they stay crunchy and the seasoning only gets better as they sit.

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Ingredients and Tools

All you need is a box of White Cheddar Cheez Its, some pickled jalapeno juice, and ranch seasoning. I use an aluminum pan because it makes stirring easy while keeping everything contained. Any smoker that holds 250 degrees will work.

How To Make Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its

Start by preheating your smoker to 250 degrees with a mild wood. I like pecan or cherry for the Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its since it adds a light smoke without overpowering the crackers. While it comes up to temp, pour the Cheez Its into an aluminum pan or spread them on a baking sheet.

Strain some juice from a jar of pickled jalapenos and drizzle it lightly over the crackers. Mix gently so everything gets coated without making anything soggy. You just want a light sheen so the ranch seasoning sticks.

Season the crackers with ranch until they’re coated the way you like them. Give everything a toss to make sure the seasoning hits all the crackers evenly. Place them into the smoker and let them go for about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, give them a stir and hit them with a little more ranch if you want a stronger flavor. Put them back in the smoker and repeat the process two more times until they reach your preferred level of smoke and seasoning. You want them crisp and lightly golden but not burned.

Pull them from the smoker and let them cool before serving. This helps them firm up and get that signature crunchy bite. Once cooled, serve warm or cold.

Serving Tips and Variations

These are awesome as a snack during football games or as something to munch on while grilling. They pair great with burgers, smoked wings, or anything ranch flavored. They also make a great road trip snack because they hold up well in a sealed bag.

If you want more heat, sprinkle in a little cayenne or mix in chopped pickled jalapenos. You can also swap the ranch for taco seasoning or garlic and herb seasoning for a different flavor. Parmesan works great too if you want a cheesy punch.

Recipe Notes and Pro Tips

Go light on the jalapeno juice at first because you can always add more. You want just enough to make the seasoning stick without softening the crackers. Stir them more often if you want a more even smoke flavor.

I’ve also found they keep for several days in an airtight container. The flavor gets even better overnight. If they ever lose a little crunch, you can throw them back in a 250 degree smoker or oven for a few minutes.

Wrapping Up

These Jalapeno Ranch Cheez Its are simple, fast, and always hit the spot. The smoke, the tangy jalapeno brine, and the ranch come together in a way that’s way better than any store-bought snack. Once you make a batch, you’ll end up keeping a box of Cheez Its in the pantry just for this recipe.

 

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