Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Vanish in Just 12 Bites

When I think “instant party hit,” my mind goes straight to these buttery, melty, bite-sized beauties—Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches. They’re the kind of snack that disappears before you even set down the tray. I started making them for our annual game night, and now they’re a non-negotiable. My cousin once ate twelve in one sitting—no regrets, just pure joy.

What makes these so special? They’re impossibly easy. Just layer some deli ham and Swiss between buttery Ritz crackers, drizzle with a savory butter sauce, and bake until everything’s golden and gooey. That’s it. Ten minutes of prep, and you’ve got a tray of warm, crispy, cheesy bites that hit every salty-sweet-savory note.

I’ve tested dozens of party appetizers over the years—from cocktail meatballs to stuffed mushrooms—but these little sandwiches always win. They’re simple, they’re nostalgic, and they taste like comfort and celebration all at once. Trust me, your guests will beg for the recipe. And you? You’ll just smile and pretend it was harder than it looked.

Why You’ll Love Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

If you’re hosting anything—from a birthday bash to a casual backyard hangout—these little guys are about to become your go-to. Here’s why I keep coming back to them, party after party:

• Ridiculously easy prep – Just stack, drizzle, and bake. No fancy tools or skills needed.
• Minimal ingredients – You probably have most of this in your fridge already.
• Quick baking time – They’re hot and ready in under 15 minutes. Faster than ordering takeout.
• Major crowd-pleaser – Kids love them, adults inhale them. No leftovers, ever.
• Totally customizable – Swap the cheese, change the meat, tweak the sauce. Make them your own!

They’re the perfect little bites when you want something warm, gooey, salty, and just a little bit indulgent. I always say: if you can open a cracker box, you can make these.

Ingredients for Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of these buttery, melty bites. Nothing fancy—just pantry staples and fridge basics that come together like magic:

• 48 Ritz crackers (you’ll use 24 for the bottoms, 24 for the tops)
• 8 slices deli ham, torn into small strips
• 8 slices Swiss cheese, cut into 1-inch squares
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion

That’s it! Simple, salty, savory ingredients that bake into the ultimate party appetizer. If you’ve got these on hand, you’re halfway to party-ready already.

How to Make Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

This is one of those recipes that’s super forgiving—great news if you’re juggling five things before guests arrive. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have golden, gooey, flavor-packed bites ready before your playlist even hits song three.

Prepare the Sandwich Layers

Start by laying out 24 Ritz crackers, flat side down, in a 9×13-inch baking dish. You want them evenly spaced so they don’t bump into each other while baking.

Tear up the ham slices into small strips—about the size of the cracker. Don’t worry about being perfect; just make sure each cracker gets a generous bite. Then cut your Swiss cheese into 1-inch pieces and layer one on top of each little ham pile. Try to keep everything centered so it doesn’t ooze out too much while baking.

Top each with another cracker, flat side down, to create mini sandwiches. Gently press them together, but not too hard—you don’t want the filling sliding out before it even hits the oven.

Make the Seasoned Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. It may not look like much, but this sauce is where the rich, tangy flavor magic happens. Mix it well so everything’s evenly combined—you want every drop to count!

If your butter’s super hot, let it cool for a minute so it doesn’t melt your crackers on contact. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake and ended up with soggy bottoms. Not ideal.

Assemble and Bake

Once your sandwiches are stacked and your sauce is ready, pour the butter mixture slowly and evenly over the tops. Use a spoon or pastry brush to help spread it if needed—don’t let any sandwich go dry!

Sprinkle the poppy seeds and dried minced onion all over. It’s the finishing touch that adds both crunch and flavor. Then pop the whole dish into a preheated 350°F oven.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden and toasty. The crackers should be just crisp enough to hold together but still tender when you bite into them.

Serve them warm, straight from the dish. They’ll go fast—so grab one for yourself before they vanish!

Ingredient Substitutions and Notes

One of my favorite things about these Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches is how easy they are to tweak based on what you have—or who you’re serving. Don’t have Swiss? Sharp cheddar or provolone melt beautifully and add their own flavor flair. Not a fan of ham? Thinly sliced turkey works great, or even roast chicken if that’s what’s in your deli drawer.

Need a gluten-free option? Use gluten-free buttery crackers—there are some great ones out there that hold up just as well in the oven. Watching salt? Look for low-sodium deli meat and crackers to dial it down a bit.

You can also play with the butter sauce—try a dash of smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, or swap Dijon for honey mustard for a little sweetness. It’s a super flexible recipe, so have fun with it!

Tips for Perfect Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

There’s not a lot that can go wrong with these, but a few little tricks make a big difference. First, let your butter come to room temperature before melting—it mixes more evenly and won’t separate. And don’t go overboard with the cheese (I know, it’s tempting!) or it’ll ooze out and make your sandwiches slippery.

Line your baking dish with parchment paper if you want super easy cleanup—especially if you’re doubling the batch. And keep an eye on the oven toward the end of baking; Ritz crackers can go from golden to too dark in a flash. Ten to twelve minutes is usually perfect.

Most important of all: serve them warm. That’s when the cheese is perfectly melty and the tops have that irresistible buttery crunch.

Variations on Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

Once you’ve nailed the classic, the fun really begins—these little sandwiches are basically a blank canvas for flavor. I’ve swapped the ham and Swiss for sliced turkey and pepper jack when I want a kick. Roast beef with provolone and a horseradish-mayo drizzle? Total crowd-pleaser at my last holiday party.

Going meatless? Try fresh spinach and mozzarella with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. You can even sauté mushrooms and onions for a cozy, veggie-forward version. And don’t overlook the butter sauce—smoked paprika adds a warm depth, or toss in some dried Italian herbs for a pizza-inspired twist.

Play around with combos until you find your favorite. These sandwiches are tiny, so they’re perfect for testing out bold flavors in bite-size form!

How to Store and Reheat

If you somehow end up with leftovers (rare, but it happens!), just pop them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days.

To reheat, skip the microwave—it makes them soft and soggy. Instead, use the oven: 300°F for 8 to 10 minutes does the trick. It brings back that toasty crunch and melty center like magic. I usually line a baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup.

Pro tip: reheat only what you plan to eat right away. These are always best warm and fresh from the oven!

Nutritional Information

Each serving of these Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches (about 4 mini sandwiches) has an estimated:

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Sodium: 460mg
• Cholesterol: 30mg

These numbers are just estimates and can vary depending on the brand of crackers, cheese, or ham you use—so consider them a helpful guide, not an exact science.

Common Questions About Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can absolutely assemble these little party appetizers ahead of time. Stack up the crackers, ham, and cheese, then cover and refrigerate them for a few hours or even overnight. Just wait to pour the butter sauce on until right before baking—otherwise, the crackers can get soggy. When you’re ready, drizzle, sprinkle, and bake as usual!

What’s the best cheese to use?

Swiss is my go-to for its mild flavor and perfect meltiness, but cheddar and provolone are great options too. Cheddar gives you that sharp, classic taste (especially good with ham), while provolone is buttery and smooth. Just make sure to cut the slices into small squares so they stay neatly tucked between the crackers.

Can I make a vegetarian version?

Definitely! Just skip the ham or use a plant-based deli slice instead. I’ve also done combos like mozzarella with roasted red peppers or spinach with a slice of provolone. These ham and cheese crackers are super flexible—don’t be afraid to get creative with veggie fillings.

Do I need to grease the baking dish?

Technically no—the butter sauce does a pretty good job of keeping things from sticking. But I still like to line the dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup, especially if I’m making a double batch. It also helps the bottoms stay a little crispier.

Can I freeze these sandwiches?

I wouldn’t recommend freezing them after baking—they tend to lose their texture. But you can freeze the unbaked, assembled sandwiches! Just skip the sauce, freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a bag. When you’re ready, add the sauce and bake straight from frozen (just add a few extra minutes).

Share Your Thoughts

Made these Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches for your crew? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite combo—or any fun twists you tried. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and share a photo if you can. These little bites are just too good not to pass along. Make a batch for your next party, and watch the smiles roll in!

Looking for more party-ready ideas? Check out our recipes for crowd-pleasing favorites like festive holiday meatballs or fruit salsa with cinnamon chips.

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