Fire up your pellet grill — today we’re making Traeger Smoked Crackers. These smoky, savory bites are incredibly versatile, simple to prepare, and a perfect addition to a charcuterie or “BBQuterie” board. Use your favorite BBQ rub to create sweet, salty, or spicy versions depending on what you prefer.
Traeger Smoked Crackers
These smoked crackers are an easy, flavorful snack that keeps well. Make a large batch, store them in an airtight container, and enjoy smoky, crunchy goodness throughout the week. They pair beautifully with cheeses, spreads, smoked cream cheese, olives, or any dip you like.
Get all of my Traeger recipes and ideas in the grilling category.
Recipe Shopping List
Before you start, gather the basic ingredients below. For exact quantities, see the ingredient list in the recipe section.
- Cheez-Its crackers
- Ritz crackers
- Olive oil
- Your favorite BBQ rub
How to Make This Recipe — Overview
This overview summarizes the process. Follow the full instructions below when cooking.
- Preheat — Start your smoker and set it to 200°F.
- Season — Gently toss crackers with olive oil so they’re lightly coated, then sprinkle with BBQ rub.
- Smoke — Arrange the crackers on a grill-safe baking sheet and smoke at 200°F for 30 minutes.
- Finish — Increase heat to about 275°F and smoke another 10–15 minutes, watching carefully so they don’t over-brown.
- Cool & Store — Let crackers cool completely before storing in an airtight container to preserve crispness.
Try these smoked crackers with smoked cream cheese or olives on your board.
Recipe Details
Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cheez-Its crackers
- 24 Ritz crackers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon BBQ rub (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill or smoker to 200°F and stabilize the temperature.
- In a large bowl, gently toss the crackers with the olive oil until they are lightly coated. Be careful not to break them up. Sprinkle the BBQ rub evenly over the crackers and toss lightly to distribute the seasoning.
- Spread the seasoned crackers in a single layer on a grill-safe baking sheet or tray. Avoid overcrowding so smoke can circulate freely around each cracker.
- Place the tray on the smoker and smoke at 200°F for 30 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure even coloring.
- After 30 minutes, raise the smoker temperature to about 275°F. Smoke for an additional 10–15 minutes until the crackers are golden and crisp. Watch carefully during this stage—thin crackers can go from perfectly toasted to overdone quickly.
- Remove the crackers from the smoker and allow them to cool completely on the tray. Cooling concentrates the crunch and prevents steam from softening them in storage.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container or vacuum-seal bag to preserve texture. For best flavor and crispness, enjoy within a week.
Storage & Serving Tips
The best long-term storage is vacuum sealing, which keeps crackers fresh longer. For day-to-day use, a resealable bag or airtight container with as much air removed as possible is fine. Keep them in a cool, dry place and consume within a week for best texture.
Serve smoked crackers on a charcuterie or BBQ board with cheeses, smoked cream cheese, olives, cured meats, roasted nuts, or your favorite dips. They also make an excellent crunchy topping: crush smoked crackers to use as a smoky breadcrumb substitute for crab cakes, chicken casseroles, meatloaf, or fritters.
Variations & Flavor Ideas
- Sweet-savory: mix a touch of brown sugar or maple seasoning with the rub for a sweet edge.
- Spicy kick: add cayenne pepper or a spicy rub for heat.
- Herbed: toss with dried rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning for an herbal profile.
- Cracker swap: any sturdy cracker works—experiment with butter crackers, cheese-flavored, or savory snack crackers.
Recipe FAQ
What’s the best way to store these crackers?
Vacuum sealing preserves freshness the longest. Otherwise, use a sealable bag or airtight container with as much air removed as possible. Eat within about a week for best texture.
What are other uses for smoked crackers?
Crushed smoked crackers are a flavorful breadcrumb substitute. Use them in crab cakes, as a topping for casseroles, or mixed into coatings for fried or baked dishes to add smoky depth.
Can I use other types of crackers?
Yes. This method works with most crackers—try different flavors and textures to find what you like best.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Estimate only. Consult a trusted source for medical tracking.
Calories: 514 • Total Fat: 27g • Saturated Fat: 6g • Trans Fat: 0g • Unsaturated Fat: 21g • Cholesterol: 1mg • Sodium: 759mg • Carbohydrates: 57g • Fiber: 2g • Sugar: 1g • Protein: 11g
More Recipe Ideas
- Pickled asparagus
- Smoked onion jam
- Smoked pumpkin seeds
- Smoked salmon
- Poor man’s burnt ends
- Smoked stuffed jalapeño poppers
- Easy smoked queso
- Crab-stuffed mushrooms
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