Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches
The ultimate bite-sized, crowd-pleasing appetizer! Ritz cracker sandwiches are endlessly customizable, require zero cooking, and are perfect for holiday parties, baby showers, game days, or last-minute guests.
Here are the classic formulas and most-loved variations.
The Base Formula
The magic is in the 1:1:1 ratio:
· 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers (about 34-36 crackers)
· 1 block (8 oz) of softened cream cheese
· 1 cup of your main filling/flavor mix
Method: Mix filling ingredients until smooth. Spread or pipe about 1 teaspoon onto a Ritz cracker. Top with a second cracker to make a sandwich, or leave open-faced. Garnish. Chill until ready to serve.
Top 5 Most Popular Fillings
- The Classic: French Onion
· 8 oz cream cheese, softened
· ½ cup sour cream
· 1 packet (1 oz) dry French Onion soup mix
· Optional garnish: Thinly sliced green onion or chives
- Everything Bagel
· 8 oz cream cheese, softened
· 2 Tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning, plus more for sprinkling
· 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
· Optional: Add 1 Tbsp finely minced red onion or capers.
- Sweet & Savory: Pepper Jelly & Cream Cheese
· 8 oz cream cheese, softened (slightly firmer is better here)
· ½ cup pepper jelly (mild or hot)
· Assembly: Spread a layer of plain cream cheese on cracker, then top with ½ tsp pepper jelly. Leave open-faced. Garnish with a tiny slice of jalapeño if desired.
- Smoked Salmon & Dill
· 8 oz cream cheese, softened
· 2 oz finely chopped smoked salmon (lox)
· 1 Tbsp fresh dill, minced
· 1 tsp lemon zest
· Black pepper to taste
· Garnish: Tiny dill sprig or capers.
- Pizza Party
· 8 oz cream cheese, softened
· ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 Tbsp pizza sauce
· 1 tsp Italian seasoning
· ¼ cup finely chopped pepperoni
· Garnish: A small pepperoni round or fresh basil.
Pro Assembly & Serving Tips
- Softened Cream Cheese is Key: Let it sit at room temp for 30+ minutes for a smooth, pipeable texture.
- Prevent Sogginess: Assemble no more than 2-3 hours before serving. Store layered between parchment in an airtight container in the fridge.
- The Piping Trick: For neat, professional-looking sandwiches, put your filling mix in a zip-top bag, snip off a corner, and pipe onto the crackers.
- Make Ahead: You can mix the fillings 1-2 days in advance. Keep covered in the fridge. Assemble day-of.
- Balance Flavors: Pair rich, savory fillings with a sweet option (like a mini Ritz + peanut butter + chocolate chip “sandwich” for dessert).
Creative Flavor Ideas
· Thanksgiving: Cream cheese + leftover turkey + a dab of cranberry sauce.
· Dessert: Nutella + sliced strawberry or banana.
· Greek: Cream cheese mixed with chopped cucumber, dill, and a bit of feta.
· BBQ Chicken: Shredded chicken mixed with BBQ sauce and cream cheese, topped with a cilantro leaf.
· Veggie: Use ranch-seasoned cream cheese and top with a thin slice of cucumber and radish.
Presentation: Arrange on a decorative platter. Garnish the platter with herbs or lemon slices for a beautiful, effortless appetizer spread.
Enjoy these irresistibly buttery, creamy, and crunchy bites—they always disappear first!