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Spicy Nashville Hot Saltine Crackers with Honey-Glazed Cream Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 129 reviews
  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 8 cups of coated crackers and 2 blocks of seasoned cream cheese, serving 6-8 people as a snack or appetizer 1x

Description

Hot Saltine Crackers are a spicy, flavorful snack featuring crispy saltine crackers coated in a buttery, sweet, and spicy glaze, slowly smoked alongside seasoned cream cheese. This recipe combines a variety of bold spices including cayenne, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, with a drizzle of hot honey serving as the perfect finishing touch. Ideal for entertaining or a unique appetizer, these crackers offer a smoky, tangy, and spicy sensation that elevates simple saltines into an addictive treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crackers and Glaze

  • 2 sleeves of Saltine Crackers
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ⅓ cup canola oil
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar (additional)
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
  • 2 tsp dry mustard
  • 2 tsp black pepper

Cream Cheese and Seasoning

  • 2 blocks cream cheese
  • 3 tbsp BBQ rub
  • 2 tbsp hot honey (for drizzling after smoking)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Butter Glaze: In a bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, canola oil, 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey, ¼ cup cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar (additional), smoked paprika, garlic powder, Kosher salt, dry mustard, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a smooth, spicy glaze.
  2. Coat the Crackers: Place the two sleeves of saltine crackers into a large gallon-sized ziplock bag. Pour the prepared butter glaze evenly over the crackers. Seal the bag and gently flip and shake to ensure every cracker is fully coated with the glaze. Let the coated crackers sit in the bag for 4-5 minutes on each side to allow the flavors to absorb and the glaze to set slightly.
  3. Arrange Crackers for Smoking: Spread the coated crackers evenly on a wire rack over a sheet pan, making sure that no crackers touch one another to ensure even smoking and crispness.
  4. Prepare Cream Cheese: Place the two blocks of cream cheese on a small tray lined with aluminum foil. Using a knife, score a crosshatch pattern on the surface of each cream cheese block, then evenly rub the 3 tablespoons of BBQ rub over the top to season.
  5. Smoke Crackers and Cream Cheese: Place the wire rack with the crackers and the tray with the scored, seasoned cream cheese into a smoker preheated to 225°F. Smoke for 1 hour. This process infuses a smoky flavor and hardens the glaze on the crackers while seasoning the cream cheese.
  6. Cool and Finish: Remove the crackers and cream cheese from the smoker once the glaze hardens. Let them cool down for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. After cooling, drizzle 2 tablespoons of hot honey over the cream cheese blocks to add a sweet and spicy finish.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the hot, smoked saltine crackers alongside the spicy, honey-drizzled cream cheese for dipping or spreading. Enjoy this unique, smoky, spicy snack immediately.

Notes

  • If you do not have a smoker, a grill set for indirect heat with wood chips can be used as an alternative.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level of the crackers.
  • Allowing the crackers to sit coated in the glaze before smoking helps better absorption of flavors.
  • The cream cheese scoring allows seasoning to penetrate and improves flavor.
  • Use aluminum foil-lined trays to make cleanup easier after smoking.
  • Serve immediately after cooling to maintain optimal crispness and flavor balance.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Smoking
  • Cuisine: American Southern

Keywords: Hot Saltine Crackers, Smoked Crackers, Spicy Snacks, Barbecue Snack, Cream Cheese Dip, Nashville Hot Crackers

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Find it online: https://kitchenofsimon.com/spicy-nashville-hot-saltine-crackers-with-honey-glazed-cream-cheese-recipe/