17 Creative Ways To Use Saltines

Saltines are a must-have in every pantry. These crunchy squares are often called soda crackers; this name comes from the baking soda that was eventually added to give them their slight puffiness. Prior to 1876, the crackers were just made with flour and water. This simple ingredient list keeps them very low-key in terms of flavor, which makes them an excellent food to eat when you feel your stomach churning. 

But these humble crackers actually have more utility in your kitchen than you may think. They're not just for those with unhappy bellies — they're suited to all kinds of people, situations, and dishes. We've collected a list of our favorite ways to use these crackers, ranging from the sweet to savory. Saltines, as it turns out, make a game-changing addition to s'mores and crumb crusts and work well as a substitute for croutons on a salad or fried onions on a 1950s-style casserole. Ready to gain a whole new perspective on Saltines? Then let's dive in.

Saltines are rather bland in flavor, but there are a ton of ways you can spice them up. This makes them even better for snacking, or as an accompaniment to dishes like soup. To turn your Saltines savory, coat them in melted butter and spices. You don't have to have a well-stocked spice cabinet to make this simple upgrade work; a pre-packaged seasoning mix, like ranch or Cajun seasoning, works fine. If you do want to make your own blend, though, Italian flavors work especially well. Adding cracked pepper, rosemary, and Parmesan cheese to the buttered crackers is a recipe for deliciousness.

Coat your crackers in butter on a baking sheet before adding your seasoning and baking for about 10 minutes, until crunchy. You should always use clarified butter or ghee in this recipe to bring down the smoke point of the dish. If you're abstaining from dairy products, however, you can substitute them with a good quality avocado or neutral olive oil.

Every salad needs a little crunch. While adding a sprinkle of croutons might give your salad that irresistible bite, they're not optimal toppings for every bowl. And frankly, many croutons are just a little too big to bring the perfect balance of texture to every bite. 

Turn to Saltines instead for the perfect crouton substitute. But don't just crumble the crackers plain onto your bed of lettuce and dressing. Instead, pan-fry your crackers in a skillet with a splash of oil or melted butter. The dry crackers will absorb the oil and butter exceptionally well and turn extra crunchy. Once your crackers are perfectly cooked, you can pop them on a paper towel-lined sheet and coat them with seasoning. Taco seasoning is a great option for a taco salad; use these Saltines in lieu of tortilla chips. You can also pair your chicken Caesar salad with Parmesan-seasoned crackers. 

Everyone has experienced a thin sauce, whether it's a creamy pasta mixture or a dip. Most people's natural reaction is to add flour or cornstarch, but this isn't always ideal. Rather than turning to conventional thickeners, try experimenting with a sleeve of crackers. Saltines are the unexpected solution to runny sauces because they don't dilute the sauce's flavor. 

To use this thickener, pulse your crackers in a food processor until they have the consistency of fine breadcrumbs. The small particle size will allow the crumbs to dissolve in the sauce without making it too gunky. Since these crackers are made mostly of starch, they will thicken any liquid they come into contact with. Plus, since the crackers are already cooked, you won't have to worry about the health risks of eating raw flour in your ready-to-eat dips and sauces. 

Everyone loves a batch of homemade meatballs with a Sunday night pasta dinner. These moist, meaty morsels can be customized with your favorite seasonings and broiled to perfection before being slathered in a thick tomato sauce. But these meatball-filled dreams can't be made into a reality if your meatballs are dry and fall apart. That's where your sleeve of Saltines comes in. Like breadcrumbs, Saltines absorb moisture and help keep your meatballs in one piece. 

To make this recipe at home, crush your Saltines into small pieces and mix them in a bowl with the ground beef and seasoning. If your meatballs still aren't sticking together, it may be because bigger issues are at play. You can make better homemade meatballs by adding extra moisture in the form of cream cheese, ricotta cheese, or applesauce. 

If you love the crunchiness of baked macaroni and cheese, you'll love adding a sprinkle of coarsely crumbled Saltines on top. Add your crackers (mixed with melted butter, of course) to the top of your unbaked mac and cheese just before you slide it into the oven. The butter will encourage the cracker pieces to stay crisp and impart a beautifully luxurious bite. 

Saltines play well with many of the flavors already in mac and cheese, including a diverse portfolio of cheeses. Sharp cheddar cheese is a standard yet flavorful option, while cream cheese can help make your dinner a bit richer. You can also incorporate some unconventional additions, like chopped bacon or even pulled pork, to give it a meaty spin. With a sleeve of Saltines handy, anything is possible.

Meatloaf can either be a blessing or a curse. When it's coated in a flavorful ketchup glaze, which helps lock in moisture and leaves a residual sweet coating, it's great. But when it's dry as the desert and falls apart on your plate, you may have second thoughts about this timeless dish. 

Breadcrumbs are a key component of a good meatloaf recipe, but we recommend swapping them out for crushed Saltines. The crackers are excellent at binding your selection of meat together with eggs, herbs, and cooked veggies. The key to making them work for your dish is to first soak them in milk. It's actually an essential step whether you're using actual bread, breadcrumbs, or crackers; a quick soak adds much-needed moisture to your recipe. Once your crackers have adequately soaked in your milk (or stock, for a dairy-free version), mix them with the rest of your ingredients. 

There's no better way to end a hot summer day than with a batch of s'mores by the campfire. But instead of reaching for your sleeve of graham crackers, grab some Saltines instead. These crackers will give you the perfect blend of salty and crunchy, which contrasts deliciously against the rest of your sweet, gooey fillings. While adding a marshmallow and chocolate pieces is a standard combo, you can also use a variety of ingredients to add more flavor to your dessert sandwich. We recommend using a peanut butter cup, especially one covered in dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate, or swapping it out for a swath of caramel. 

If you're relegated to the indoors, you can also use your Saltines to make s'mores on a baking sheet. Lay your crackers down, cover them with marshmallows, and bake until melty and soft. It's a perfect alternative if you're making this snack for a crowd, or when it's too formidable outside to start a fire. 

Classic Maryland crab cakes are a delicious appetizer. Saltines can act as the perfect binder to keep the crab meat together and ensure the little patties come out perfectly cooked every time. Plus, since crab meat and Saltines are both fairly mild, you can amp up the flavor however you want; we like adding Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. 

You can pulse the crackers into crumbs in your food processor or stick to crushing them up with your fingers. Mix the crushed crackers with the crab meat to ensure it reaches the perfect consistency before adding cream and eggs to bind it all together. While these crab cakes are designed to be baked on a sheet pan, you could also potentially air fry them or cook them in a buttered skillet for extra crunch.