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To make Salted Caramel Oyster Cracker Bites, gather these simple ingredients: - 2 cups oyster crackers - 1 cup brown sugar - ½ cup unsalted butter - ¼ cup light corn syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt - ¼ teaspoon baking soda For a tasty twist, you can add: - 1 cup chopped pecans - 1 cup chopped walnuts These nuts give a nice crunch and enhance the flavor. If you need to swap some items, here are some ideas: - Use salted butter instead of unsalted for a richer taste. - Honey can replace light corn syrup if you want a natural sweetener. - For a gluten-free option, try gluten-free oyster crackers. These changes can help you customize the recipe to fit your needs. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather your ingredients. You need two cups of oyster crackers, one cup of brown sugar, and half a cup of unsalted butter. Add a quarter cup of light corn syrup, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and half a teaspoon of flaky sea salt. Lastly, grab a quarter teaspoon of baking soda. If you want some crunch, feel free to get one cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. Now, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help your bites not stick. In a medium saucepan, mix the brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Heat it over medium heat. You need to stir often until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Once it starts boiling, let it cook for about five minutes. Do not stir it during this time. The caramel will thicken a bit. After five minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat. Quickly stir in the baking soda. Be careful! The mixture will bubble up. In a large bowl, add the oyster crackers. Pour the hot caramel over them. Gently stir to coat all the crackers. If you chose to add nuts, now is the time to fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts. Spread the coated crackers onto the baking sheet in an even layer. Bake them in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even cooking. You want them golden and bubbling. Once done, take them out and sprinkle the flaky sea salt over the hot mixture. Let the bites cool completely before you break them apart into clusters. When mixing, be gentle. You want each cracker to be coated, but not broken. If you add nuts, mix them in last. This way, they stay crunchy. For better coating, make sure your caramel is hot. This helps it stick to the crackers. Enjoy your salted caramel oyster cracker bites! To get great caramel, start with fresh ingredients. Use real butter and brown sugar. Heat them slowly in a medium pan. Stir the mix until it boils. Let it boil for about five minutes. Keep an eye on it; do not stir. This helps the caramel thicken well. After boiling, add baking soda. The mixture will bubble, so be careful. This step keeps your caramel light and airy. When coating the oyster crackers, use a large bowl. Pour the caramel over the crackers. Stir gently but quickly. You want to cover every cracker without breaking them. If you add nuts, fold them in last. Ensure they mix well. This makes each bite crunchy and tasty. Spread the coated crackers evenly on the baking sheet. This helps them bake well. Bake them for 8-10 minutes. Stir halfway through to avoid burning. When they turn golden, take them out. Sprinkle flaky sea salt right away. This adds a nice touch of flavor. Let them cool fully before breaking them apart. This helps keep their shape and makes them easy to serve. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh unsalted butter and high-quality brown sugar for the best flavor in your caramel. Watch the Boiling Stage: Pay close attention while the caramel is boiling; if it cooks too long, it can become too hard. Customize Your Nuts: Feel free to experiment with different nuts like almonds or hazelnuts for a unique flavor twist. Store Properly: Keep the cooled bites in an airtight container to maintain their crispness and flavor. {{image_2}} If you want a nut-free treat, skip the nuts. Just use the oyster crackers and caramel mix. These bites still taste great! The crunch from the crackers gives enough texture. For a chocolate twist, melt some chocolate chips. After baking, drizzle the chocolate over your bites. This adds a rich flavor that pairs well with the salted caramel. It's a fun way to mix things up! Add a bit of cinnamon to your caramel mix for extra warmth. Just a pinch can transform the flavor. You can also try adding a splash of almond extract. This tiny change can make a big difference! To keep your salted caramel oyster cracker bites fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent air from making them stale. Line the container with parchment paper to absorb any excess moisture. Place a layer of bites in the container, then add more layers with parchment in between. This way, they stay crunchy! These bites are best enjoyed fresh. They can last for about a week when stored properly. After a few days, the crackers may lose some crunch. If you want to enjoy them longer, consider freezing them. Just remember, the taste will still be good, but the texture may change. To freeze your salted caramel oyster cracker bites, let them cool completely first. Once cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. You can freeze them for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Enjoy the flavor anytime! Yes, you can make these bites ahead. Store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to a week. This makes them great for parties or snacks. Just remember to let them cool completely before packing. You can use any small snacks instead of oyster crackers. Pretzel crisps, cheese puffs, or even small popcorn work well. Each choice will change the taste a bit, but they will still be tasty. Experiment with your favorite crunchy snacks for fun flavors. To avoid burning, watch the heat closely. Keep it over medium heat and stir often. Once it boils, do not stir for five minutes. This helps the caramel thicken without burning. If you see dark spots, reduce the heat right away. In this blog post, we explored the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and useful tips for your recipe. We delved into variations and storage tips to keep your dish fresh. Remember, you can easily adjust flavors or find swaps for hard-to-get items. Use the insights provided to enhance your cooking and enjoy sharing this treat. With practice, you'll perfect this recipe and impress everyone you serve. Happy cooking!

Salted Caramel Oyster Cracker Bites

Delicious bites of oyster crackers coated in a rich salted caramel, perfect for snacking.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups oyster crackers
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir frequently until the mixture comes to a rolling boil.
  • Allow the caramel to boil without stirring for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the baking soda until well combined. The mixture will bubble up.
  • In a large bowl, add the oyster crackers and pour the caramel over them. Gently stir until all the crackers are evenly coated.
  • If using, fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.
  • Spread the coated oyster crackers onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the crackers are golden and the caramel is bubbling.
  • Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the flaky sea salt over the hot mixture.
  • Allow the bites to cool completely before breaking them apart into clusters.

Notes

Serve in a decorative bowl or jar, and drizzle with additional caramel if desired.
Keyword caramel, oyster crackers, salty, snack, sweet