Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Recipe
Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches are a delightful and easy appetizer featuring flaky Ritz crackers filled with melted cheese and deli meat, brushed with a savory buttery glaze, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for parties, game days, or casual gatherings, these bite-sized sandwiches offer a crispy exterior with a warm, flavorful filling. Both savory and sweet versions can be made to satisfy a variety of taste preferences.
- Author: Rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crackers & Fillings
- 48 Ritz crackers (about 2 sleeves)
- 12 slices deli ham, cut into quarters
- 6 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese, cut into quarters
Butter Glaze
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for a sweet glaze)
Optional Seasonings & Additions
- Additional garlic powder, onion powder, or everything bagel seasoning for sprinkling
- Fillings such as cream cheese, turkey, roast beef, chicken, smoked salmon, prosciutto, peanut butter, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, caramel, or fresh herbs for garnish
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Arrange half of the Ritz crackers on the baking sheet, salted side down. Place a small piece of ham and a quartered slice of cheese on each cracker. Top each with another cracker, salted side up, gently pressing to form a mini sandwich.
- Mix the glaze: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds if using, garlic powder, and honey or brown sugar if you prefer a hint of sweetness. Stir well to combine.
- Brush and season: Lightly brush the tops of each sandwich with the butter glaze mixture. For savory sandwiches, sprinkle additional optional seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or everything bagel seasoning. Skip seasonings for sweet versions or dust with cinnamon sugar instead.
- Bake until golden: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 7–9 minutes, watching carefully until the cheese melts and the crackers become a deeper golden brown. Avoid overbaking to prevent burning.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the sandwiches to cool for 2–3 minutes to set. Serve warm or at room temperature, arranged neatly on a platter and optionally garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of honey for an attractive presentation.
- For no-bake version (optional): Assemble crackers with soft fillings like cream cheese and ham or peanut butter and jelly. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving for a crisp, firm texture without baking.
Notes
- Make both savory and sweet versions to offer guests a variety of flavor options at parties.
- Prepare sandwiches a few hours ahead and store refrigerated; bake or serve just before guests arrive for best quality.
- To avoid sogginess from wet fillings, layer cheese or deli meat between moist ingredients and the cracker as a moisture barrier.
- You can substitute Ritz crackers with other buttery, crisp round crackers like Town House or Club crackers.
- Freeze unbaked sandwiches in a single layer for up to one month. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes of cooking time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature up to 24 hours or refrigerated for up to 3 days, re-crisping by baking at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes if needed.
- Sweet sandwiches should be kept cool or refrigerated to prevent fillings like chocolate or cream from melting.
Keywords: Ritz cracker sandwiches, party appetizers, baked crackers, finger food, game day snacks, savory bites, easy party food