10+ Ritz Cracker Recipes You’ll Love for Easy Snacks and Appetizers

Ritz crackers are one of those snacks that just work in so many ways. They’re buttery, crunchy, and honestly, they make almost everything taste a little bit better.

You don’t need much to make something delicious with them. Just a handful of ingredients and a little time, and you’re set.

If you want easy recipes that bring flavor and texture to your table, Ritz crackers are a great choice. Use them for snacks, sides, or even main dishes. Cooking gets quick and fun when you’ve got Ritz on hand.

Ingredients

• Ritz crackers

Cooking Instructions
(No instructions needed for this introduction)

1) Classic Ritz Cracker Topped Casserole

This casserole is all about comfort. Mix shredded chicken with a creamy sauce, and then pile on a crunchy Ritz cracker topping.

Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken works perfectly here. The buttery crackers add a texture that’s just, well, satisfying.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
4. Toss crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.
5. Sprinkle cracker topping evenly over the chicken.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

2) Layered Ham and Swiss Ritz Bites with Pepper Jelly

These Ritz bites are ridiculously easy to throw together. Layer savory ham and Swiss cheese on Ritz crackers, and you’re halfway there.

The buttery crackers and nutty cheese just work. Add a dab of sweet and spicy pepper jelly on top—trust me, it’s a game changer.

Try brushing the crackers with melted butter and Dijon mustard before you bake them. It gives a little extra punch and some crisp.

Ingredients

• 80 Ritz crackers
• 1/2 pound sliced ham
• 6 oz sliced Swiss cheese
• 1/4 cup pepper jelly
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix melted butter and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
3. Lightly brush each Ritz cracker with the butter mixture.
4. Place ham slice on each cracker.
5. Add a piece of Swiss cheese on top of the ham.
6. Bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts.
7. Remove from oven and add a small dollop of pepper jelly on each bite.
8. Serve warm or at room temperature.

3) Ritz Cracker Crusted Chicken

Ritz Cracker Crusted Chicken is a go-to for busy nights. The chicken stays juicy, and the Ritz crackers make a crispy, buttery crust that’s hard to resist.

Just crush the crackers and mix in some garlic powder and pepper. Dip the chicken in beaten eggs, then press it into the cracker crumbs.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes. You’ll get a tender, flavorful chicken with barely any fuss.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs.
3. Mix cracker crumbs with garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
4. Dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs.
5. Press chicken into the cracker mixture until fully coated.
6. Place coated chicken on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

4) 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Cookies

These cookies are almost too easy. Grab three ingredients—Ritz crackers, peanut butter, and chocolate if you’re feeling fancy.

The crackers give you crunch, and the peanut butter filling is creamy and rich. If you want, dip them in melted chocolate for a little extra.

No baking needed, which is always a win. You’ll have a sweet treat in no time.

Ingredients

• Ritz crackers
• Creamy peanut butter
• Chocolate chips or chocolate almond bark (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Spread peanut butter on one Ritz cracker, then top it with another cracker to make a sandwich.
3. If you want, melt the chocolate chips and dip each sandwich halfway.
4. Place cookies on the baking sheet and chill until the chocolate is firm.
5. Enjoy your quick and tasty cookies!

For more details, check this 3-Ingredient Cookie Recipe.

5) Buttery Homemade Ritz Crackers with Sesame Seeds

Ever tried making Ritz-style crackers at home? It’s easier than you’d think, and you can sprinkle sesame seeds for a nutty crunch.

Start with a buttery dough and roll it thin. Brush with egg wash so the sesame seeds stick and get that pretty shine.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) until they’re just golden. Let them cool before you dig in—they crisp up as they sit.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Cut in cold butter until mixture looks like crumbs.
4. Add cold water and mix until dough forms.
5. Roll dough thin and brush with egg wash.
6. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly on top.
7. Cut into squares and place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.
8. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp.
9. Cool before serving.

6) Ritz Cracker Breakfast Strata

This breakfast strata gets a buttery crunch from Ritz crackers. Layer eggs, cheese, and your favorite veggies or meat in a casserole dish.

Mix Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle on top for a crispy finish. It’s great for prepping ahead—assemble it the night before and bake in the morning.

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) for even cooking. The result is rich, filling, and has just enough crunch to keep things interesting.

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Swiss)
• 1 cup cooked vegetables or sausage
• 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Layer vegetables or sausage and cheese in a greased casserole dish.
4. Pour egg mixture over layers.
5. Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.
6. Sprinkle cracker mix on top.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until set and golden on top.

7) Ritz and Cream Cheese Appetizer Spread

You can whip up a tasty appetizer with Ritz crackers and cream cheese in minutes. Just spread a thick layer of cream cheese on each cracker.

Try topping them with grape tomatoes, fresh basil, or even a spoonful of raspberry pepper jelly. That mix of sweet and savory hits just right.

Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes or drizzle honey if you want a kick or a little sweetness. These are perfect for parties or when you just need a snack.

Ingredients

• Ritz crackers
• Cream cheese (softened)
• Grape tomatoes (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• Raspberry pepper jelly (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Honey (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Spread cream cheese evenly on each Ritz cracker.
2. Add your choice of toppings like grape tomatoes or basil.
3. If desired, add a small dollop of raspberry pepper jelly.
4. Sprinkle red pepper flakes or drizzle honey for extra flavor.
5. Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes before serving.

8) Maple Syrup Glazed Ritz Crackers

Here’s a sweet and salty snack that’s almost too simple. Brush Ritz crackers with maple syrup, and you’ve got a shiny, sweet glaze.

Want to take it up a notch? Wrap each cracker with bacon before glazing. It gives you a salty crunch that plays so well with the maple.

Bake until the bacon is crisp and the glaze is sticky. The sweet-salty combo might just surprise you in the best way.

Ingredients

• Ritz crackers
• Maple syrup
• Bacon strips (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the Ritz crackers on a baking sheet.
3. If using bacon, wrap each cracker with a small strip of bacon.
4. Brush each cracker with maple syrup.
5. Sprinkle brown sugar and salt if you like.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
7. Let cool before serving.

For more ideas, check out this maple glazed bacon wrapped mini hot dogs recipe.

9) Ritz Cracker Tuna Melt

You can whip up mini tuna melts right on Ritz crackers. Just scoop a bit of tuna salad onto each cracker.

Add a small slice of cheese on top. It’s a perfect snack—bite-sized, and honestly, kind of addictive.

Set your assembled crackers on a baking sheet. Pop them in the oven and bake until the cheese melts and bubbles, usually about 5 to 7 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

If you want to mix it up, try adding your favorite seasonings or swap mayo for something tangy. There’s really no wrong way to build these.

Ingredients

• 24 Ritz crackers
• 1 can (5 oz) tuna, drained
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Slices of cheese (like cheddar or American)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the tuna and mayonnaise in a bowl.
3. Spread a small scoop of tuna mix on each Ritz cracker.
4. Top each with a slice or piece of cheese.
5. Place crackers on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted.
7. Remove and serve warm.

For a quick walkthrough, check out this Ritz Cracker Tuna Melts recipe.

10) Ritz Cracker Meatloaf Topping

Mix up a simple topping for your meatloaf using ketchup, brown sugar, and a little mustard. This combo gives the meatloaf a sweet, tangy kick and keeps it from drying out.

Spread the mixture all over your meatloaf before baking. As it cooks, the topping caramelizes and turns into a lovely glaze.

Want more flavor? Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce. This easy topping really makes the meatloaf pop.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a small bowl and mix together ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

2. Spread this topping all over your prepared Ritz cracker meatloaf.

3. Pop the meatloaf in the oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 1 hour, or until it’s cooked through.

4. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before you slice it up.