Looking for Ritz Cracker sandwich recipes your family will love? These buttery, cheesy bites transform basic crackers into golden-edged party sandwiches. They’re crispy outside, melty inside, and vanish fast at gatherings.
I tested these dozens of times for our office potlucks. The game-changer? A savory butter glaze that keeps the crackers from getting soggy while adding incredible flavor.
Perfect for game days, kid’s parties, or when you need a quick appetizer that looks like you spent way more time on it. These mini sandwiches belong in your elegant-snacks-party-appetizers rotation.
At-a-Glance
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 sandwiches
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Party appetizers, game day snacks, after-school treats
Why This Works
- The butter-based glaze creates a protective barrier, keeping crackers crisp
- Cutting cheese and ham into quarters ensures perfect cracker-sized portions
- Quick oven time melts cheese without making crackers too dark
- Brushing only the tops keeps bottom crackers dry and crunchy
Ingredients & Smart Swaps
Base Ingredients:
- 48 Ritz crackers (2 sleeves)
- 12 slices deli ham
- 6 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
For the Glaze:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional)
Smart Substitutions:
- Crackers: Town House or Club crackers work well. Avoid thin crackers – they’ll break.
- Meat: Turkey, roast beef, or pepperoni. Vegetarian? Try cucumber slices.
- Cheese: Any meltable cheese works. Avoid pre-shredded (too dry).
- Butter: Margarine isn’t recommended – it makes crackers greasy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut ham slices into quarters. Cut cheese slices into quarters.
- Arrange 24 crackers on the baking sheet, salted side down.
- Place ham squares on crackers, folding if needed to fit.
- Add cheese squares on top of ham.
- Top with remaining crackers, salted side up.
- Mix melted butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, garlic powder, and honey in a small bowl.
- Brush tops of sandwiches with butter mixture.
- Bake 7-9 minutes until cheese melts and tops are light golden.
- Cool 2-3 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
- Don’t skip the parchment paper – cheese drips will stick
- Watch closely after 7 minutes – crackers can burn quickly
- Let butter cool slightly before mixing with honey to prevent separation
- Make ahead? Assemble without glaze, refrigerate up to 4 hours, then glaze and bake
- For crispier results, place on a wire rack for 1 minute after baking
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
These are best fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat, place on a baking sheet at 300°F for 3-4 minutes.
Not recommended for freezing – the crackers will get soggy. Need make-ahead options? Try our easy-creamy-potato-soup-quick-family-meals instead.
Variations
- Pizza Style: Use pepperoni, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning in the glaze
- Breakfast: Ham, egg slice, and cheese with maple syrup in the glaze
- Sweet & Savory: Like our saltine-cracker-toffee-holiday-treat, add extra honey and a pinch of cinnamon
- Mediterranean: Salami, provolone, and Italian herbs in the butter mixture
FAQ
Why are my crackers getting soggy?
Only brush the top crackers with butter mixture. Bottom crackers should stay dry. Also, serve within 30 minutes of baking for best texture.
Can I make these without meat?
Yes! Try thin cucumber slices, roasted red peppers, or just cheese. The butter glaze adds plenty of flavor.
Why isn’t my cheese melting properly?
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Use freshly sliced cheese and cut it thin for best results.
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Easy Ritz Cracker Sandwich Recipes Your Family Will Love
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- small bowl
Ingredients
Main
- 48 count Ritz crackers
- 12 slices deli ham
- 6 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut ham slices into quarters. Cut cheese slices into quarters.
- Arrange 24 crackers on the baking sheet, salted side down.
- Place ham squares on crackers, folding if needed to fit.
- Add cheese squares on top of ham.
- Top with remaining crackers, salted side up.
- Mix melted butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, garlic powder, and honey in a small bowl.
- Brush tops of sandwiches with butter mixture.
- Bake 7-9 minutes until cheese melts and tops are light golden.
- Cool 2-3 minutes before serving.