Okay, let’s be real—every party needs that one appetizer that disappears the second it hits the table. For me, that’s these Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches. They’re warm, buttery, a little cheesy, and oh-so snackable. Honestly, they’re the kind of finger food that makes people pause mid-conversation just to say, “Wait…who made these?”
And the best part? They’re crazy simple to throw together. Like, we’re talking less than 15 minutes of effort for something that tastes like you’ve been working in the kitchen all afternoon.
Why Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Work Every Time
There’s just something about the mix of salty Ritz crackers, gooey melted cheese, and savory deli ham that hits every craving at once. They’re crunchy, buttery, and packed with flavor—basically the trifecta of good snacking.
Plus, you don’t need any fancy ingredients here. Most of this stuff is already hanging out in your fridge or pantry. (And if it’s not, a quick grocery run will fix that in no time.)
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- 48 Ritz crackers
- 8 slices deli ham (cut into quarters)
- 8 slices Swiss cheese (cut into quarters)
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp dried minced onion
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil (trust me, you’ll thank yourself later for the easy cleanup).
2. Prep the Ham and Cheese
Cut the deli ham and Swiss cheese slices into quarters. You should end up with 24 little squares of each—perfect size for stacking on a Ritz.
3. Assemble the Sandwiches
Lay out 24 Ritz crackers on the baking sheet. Top each one with a piece of ham, then a piece of cheese. Place the other 24 crackers on top, like little sandwich lids.
4. Make the Butter Mix
In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, poppy seeds, and dried onion. It smells ridiculously good already.
5. Brush and Bake
Grab a pastry brush (or even a spoon if that’s all you’ve got) and coat the tops of the sandwiches with the butter mix. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melty and the crackers are golden.
6. Serve Hot
Give them a minute to cool, then serve them up while they’re still warm and gooey. Don’t be shocked if they vanish instantly.
Recipe Notes and Easy Swaps
- Cheese swap: Not a fan of Swiss? Try cheddar, provolone, or even pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Meat swap: Ham is classic, but turkey or roast beef work just as well.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble the sandwiches earlier in the day, pop them in the fridge, and bake right before guests arrive. Easy peasy.
Final Thoughts
These Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches are my go-to when I need a crowd-pleaser that doesn’t eat up my whole afternoon. They’re crunchy, cheesy, and just addictive enough that you’ll want to keep a secret stash for yourself.
So next time you’ve got friends coming over, skip the fancy apps and whip these up instead. Trust me—you’ll be the MVP of snack time.
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