by Micky
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See our disclosure policy.
There aren’t many certainties in life, but this is one of them: You’re going to love Salted Caramel Cracker Bites!
Seriously, they are so easy to make and taste oh, so, so good. They are buttery, but also crunchy. Salty, but also sweet. And perfectly poppable.
You may also like:
– Homemade Caramel Puff Corn
– Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels Recipe
– Salted Caramel Butter Poke Cake
Love salted caramel? Goldbelly has a huge selection of delicious SALTED CARAMEL DESSERTS from the best bakeries around the country!
Ingredients for Salted Caramel (Toffee) Cracker Bites
All you need are 5 simple ingredients to make this easy recipe. Below is the list of ingredients you’ll need, along with some helpful notes.
Oyster Crackers
For many ingredients, I am okay with using a store brand, but this isn’t a time to skimp. Use name-brand oyster crackers (like Nabisco) for this recipe. They are bigger, heartier, and hold up better to the thick, delicious caramel coating.
Brown Sugar
Light or dark brown sugar will work in the recipe. However, I opted for dark as I think it adds a deeper flavor.
Butter
You can use either salted or unsalted butter will work. But keep in mind that the recipe also includes salt as an ingredient. I’ve had too many so-called ‘salted’ caramels that have no detectable saltiness. We will not make that mistake here my friends!
Vanilla Paste
I love vanilla so much – I could talk about it for days! But I know you’re excited to make this recipe, so I’ll keep it short. Yes, imitation vanilla will work. And yes, real vanilla extract will work too.
But real vanilla bean paste will make you a champion. It’s a little more expensive, but you use less and get an amazing flavor. If you’re ready to take the plunge, this one is my favorite: Nielson-Massey.
Salt
Kosher or sea salt is going to be your best bet. The effect we are going for is random bursts of saltiness which only happens with larger, undissolved salt chunks. If you use regular table salt, you’ll just get a consistent salty note in every bite which can be too overpowering.
Optional Ingredients
For Spicy Crackers
Toss in a little cayenne pepper if you like it spicy.
For Sweet Crackers
Try a dusting of cinnamon and sugar at the end of the recipe.
Love salted caramel? Goldbelly has a huge selection of delicious SALTED CARAMEL DESSERTS from the best bakeries around the country!
Other Supplies
You’ll also want to gather up a few other items for this recipe.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Large pot or saucepan
- Rubber spatula
How To Make Salted Caramel (Toffee) Crackers
Overall, this recipe is pretty easy. However, making the salted caramel sauce can be a bit tricky, so it’s worth a quick overview of the process.
Step 1: Preheat Oven
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Prepare Baking Sheet
Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 3: Add Oyster Crackers
Add the oyster crackers to the baking sheet. Spread them out evenly across the sheet.
Step 4: Make Salted Caramel Sauce
In a large pan on medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and vanilla. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved.
When making the caramel sauce/glaze, you’re going to melt the butter, then add brown sugar and vanilla. So it’ll start out looking like this.
When the brown sugar is dissolved, you can crank up the heat a little to bring it to a boil for a few minutes.
It’s going to start looking a bit puffy and fluffy like the picture below. That’s just how you want it.
If you keep stirring you’ll be in good shape.Don’t stop stirring!
Sugar burns very quickly. It’s important to keep the mixture moving in the pan. If you stop stirring, you risk scorching the sugar. Trust me. It can happen fast!
And even if it doesn’t look burnt, you may still get an unpleasant flavor.
Stir continuously for about 3-4 minutes while the mixture gets bubbly and lighter in color. It will smell delicious!
Step 5: Coat Oyster Crackers In Salted Caramel Sauce
Now comes the fun part. You get to add all this ooey, gooey goodness to the oyster crackers!
Turn off the heat and quickly pour the mixture over the top of the crackers. Mix gently with a rubber spatula until all of the crackers are completely coated.
Step 6: Sprinkle With Salt
Sprinkle the kosher salt over the top of the crackers. Make sure to spread it out evenly.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the crackers for about 8-10 minutes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Ovens vary and sugar burns easily, so keep a close eye on them to prevent burning! If you know your oven runs hot, check early and often to prevent overcooking.
Step 8: Cool Completely, Then Serve
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the crackers to cool. Use caution if you sneak a piece before they are totally cooled – the melted sugar is HOT!
Gently break apart any clumps of crackers that stuck together as the sugar cooled.
You can serve these immediately after they have cooled. They will taste best the same day you make them. If needed, you can store it in an airtight container for a day or two.
I really hope you give this recipe a try. It’s one of my favorites and I think it’ll become one of yours too. Enjoy!
Save it for later onPinterest,InstagramandFacebook.Also, join ourFacebook Groupfor more snack fun!
You may also like:
– Easy Caramel Puff Corn Recipe
– Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels Recipe
– 5-Minute Reese’s Sweet and Salty Snack Mix Recipe
Yield: 4 cups
Salted Caramel Cracker Bites
This recipe for Salted Caramel Cracker Bites is a little sweet, a little salty, bite-sized and so easy to make!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups oyster crackers
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread your crackers in an even layer on the baking sheet.
- In a large pan on medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and vanilla. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved.
- Turn up the heat until the mixture begins to boil. Stir continuously for about 3-4 minutes while the mixture gets bubbly and lighter in color. It will smell delicious!
- Turn off the heat and quickly pour over the top of the crackers. Mix gently with a rubber spatula until all of the crackers are completely coated.
- Sprinkle the kosher salt over the top of the crackers.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Ovens vary and sugar burns easily, so keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Allow the crackers to cool, then break into pieces. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Combine 3 TB granulated sugar and 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle over the top of the crackers after baking.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or other spice if you like a kick.
Ingredient Notes:
- I used Nabisco Premium Oyster Crackers for the recipe. They are much bigger than the store brands.
- I highly recommend using vanilla paste instead of extract. The flavor and aroma are amazing. My preferred brand is Neilsen-Massey.
Micky
Meet Micky Reed, your go-to snack expert and creator of The Three Snackateers—a hub for all the best sweets and treats to make, try, and buy. From whipping up collaborations with industry giants like Ben & Jerry's to being featured on Delish and PopSugar, Micky's delicious adventures are causing a stir in the foodie world. You can find Micky on IG and Pinterest.
