Ritz crackers make the best appetizers. Period. That buttery taste and flaky texture is the ideal vessel for just about any topping you can imagine.
From surprise visitors to planned parties, these appetizers will not let you down . This delicious little number will do it all for ya.
If you want to make something everyone will love, here are the 10 best Ritz cracker appetizers you’ll ever need.
1. Real Crab Meat Salad Cracker Appetizer
Let’s be real, some savory snacks are just on another level. I promise you that everyone will take notice when they spot these amazing crab bites.
Each cracker gets a scoop of a sour cream and mayo mixture that’s packed with lump crab meat. A little squeeze of lemon just makes all that savory flavor pop!
While it might be tempting to use the fake or canned stuff, I’m telling you, go with fresh crab. It’s a total game-changer!
2. Jalapeño Popper Toppers
Jalapeño poppers are always a win, but they can take more effort than you have time for. These spicy little bites, though, are a whole different story.
This four-ingredient recipe is perfect for a crowd and takes almost no work. All you need to do is mix more cheese into some cream cheese and spread it on a Ritz.
Pop a slice of jalapeño on top and you are good to go! Pile them on a platter because these things disappear fast. It’s probably a good idea to make a double batch.
3. Ritz Pizza Crackers
Whether the kids are desperately needing an afternoon snack or you’re the one feeling hangry, this recipe is here to help.
You just have to layer some marinara, cheese, and any other pizza toppings you love on a Ritz. Bake them in the oven until the cheese gets all melty, and snack time is officially on.
These little pizza bites are also so much fun for family movie nights, kids’ birthday parties, and game days.
4. Cucumber Salmon Appetizers
These fresh, savory appetizers are a perfect addition to events like baby showers or Easter Sunday. The combination of crisp cucumber, creamy mascarpone, and smoked salmon is just right.
It’s an elegant and classy bite without being fussy or stressful. But if you want to really impress your guests, you can place an edible flower on top for a presentation that’s a total showstopper.
Nobody will guess the whole platter came together in just a few minutes.
5. Berries and Cream Ritz Cracker Topper
Did you know that you can transform a simple box of Ritz into a fantastic dessert, too? These vibrant crackers are loaded with juicy berries and a sweet cream cheese spread.
And to make it even better, there’s a drizzle of honey on top! Feel free to use whatever berries are in season. I personally love using ripe blackberries for this.
If you’re in a rush, you could use plain cream cheese, but you’d be missing out on that extra sweet touch that makes them so special.
6. Chicken Caprese Crackers with RITZ Crackers
You know when you see the serving suggestions on the side of a Ritz box and you just have to have it? This recipe is just like that.
You’ll take a flaky, buttery Ritz and top it with some creamy chicken, slices of tomato, mozzarella, and basil. Oh, and you’ll definitely want a little balsamic vinegar.
It is a caprese, after all! If you need a great appetizer for your next party, I’d say go with this one. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
7. Spicy Shrimp and Guacamole Bites
Spicy shrimp and guacamole are honestly the best cracker topping. Each crispy cracker gets a generous spread of fresh guacamole with a piece of spicy shrimp on top.
This one takes a little more effort than just putting cheddar on a Ritz, but not a lot more. Just coat the shrimp with some paprika and cayenne and a good amount of lime juice.
Be sure you don’t cook them too long, as they only need a couple of minutes. For the guacamole, you’ll pretty much make a quick pico de gallo with avocados.
You could use store-bought, but I think it’s never as fresh as I’d like. Besides, guac is super easy to make, right? You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne to the shrimp and jalapeño to the guac.
8. Easy Strawberries and Cream Appetizer
If you know me, you know I am a big fan of a good strawberry dessert, and this one is so incredibly simple!
This four-ingredient recipe is fantastic for when you want a little something sweet that isn’t too heavy. A simple topping of cream cheese, honey, and a ripe strawberry is all you need.
I really love how simple this appetizer is as much as I love how it tastes. But if you do want something a bit more dazzling, you could dip the strawberries in chocolate first.
9. Avocado and Garlic Shrimp Bites
This is about to be your new go-to appetizer to start the summer at your big backyard party. Shrimp and avocado are classic summer ingredients that create the most perfect bites.
This recipe is a lot like the last one, but you’ll be using garlic shrimp instead of spicy shrimp and a bit less avocado. When you are cleaning the shrimp, just be sure it’s deveined.
You’ll definitely want to check again if you are using large shrimp. If you don’t, these crackers might not be as fresh as you’d like.
10. 10-Minute Cucumber Cream Cheese Cracker
Here’s another great way to give a box of Ritz a little something extra with this 10-minute recipe. It’s fresh, sweet, creamy, and fruity all at once, so it can be an appetizer or even a light dessert.
I just love the mix of crisp cucumber with the juicy burst of pomegranate seeds. For a presentation that looks perfect, you can pipe the cream cheese on and arrange your fruit carefully.
But if it’s not a fancy occasion, I’m sure no one is going to complain if you just spoon the cream cheese on instead.