4 Sweet and Savory Appetizers Using RITZ Crackers

Four sweet and savory party appetizers that each take 10 minutes or less to prepare. Hosting friends, bringing a potluck dish, or sharing a quick family snack? These ideas have you covered.

I often start a recipe without double-checking whether I have every ingredient, which has led to many creative substitutions and surprisingly good flavor combinations. Over the years I’ve gotten pretty good at scanning the pantry and turning a few basic items into a tasty snack. As a mother of five, one thing I always have on hand is crackers. RITZ Crackers make perfect little canvases—you can top them with almost anything and instantly have a delicious, shareable appetizer.

Below are four easy RITZ-and-cream-cheese appetizers I picked up ingredients for during a trip to Safeway.

Hosting a baby shower, book club, or a girlfriends’ get-together?

These Mini Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes are easy finger-food desserts everyone will enjoy.

Heading to a game night?

Bring a platter of Jalapeño Popper Toppers. Pop them in the oven for five minutes right before serving to get them warm and melty.

Want a sweet after-dinner treat to share with the family?

RITZ Strawberry Cheesecake Bites use ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen.

Craving a bite-sized version of a favorite sandwich?

Top a RITZ with your favorite tuna or chicken salad. My smoked almond chicken salad is bold in flavor and easy to customize.

Combine all four recipes for a party spread that covers every taste—sweet, salty, rich, and savory. These simple toppers are great for entertaining because they come together quickly and look inviting on a tray.

Mini Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

24 RITZ Crackers

4 oz. cream cheese

½ cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

½ cup cherry pie filling

Directions:

Whip the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then stir in the mini chocolate chips. Spoon a dollop of the mixture onto each RITZ cracker and top with a spoonful of cherry pie filling.

Jalapeño Popper Toppers

Ingredients:

36 RITZ Crackers

4 oz. cream cheese

½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

3 jalapeños, sliced into 12 thin rounds

Directions:

Mix the cream cheese with the shredded Mexican cheese until well combined. Arrange crackers on a baking sheet, spread each with the cheese mixture, and bake at 350°F for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Top each cracker with a jalapeño slice before serving.

RITZ Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Ingredients:

24 RITZ Crackers

4 oz. cream cheese

½ cup strawberry pie filling

Powdered sugar, optional for dusting

Directions:

Spread cream cheese on each cracker, spoon a small amount of strawberry pie filling on top, and dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired. These are quick, fresh, and perfect for kids and adults alike.

Smoked Almond Chicken Salad on a RITZ

Ingredients:

36 RITZ Crackers

4 oz. cream cheese

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons sliced green onion

¼ cup dried cranberries

1 (12.5 oz.) can cooked chicken, drained and rinsed

36 smoked almonds

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, sliced green onion, dried cranberries, and drained chicken. Mix until ingredients are evenly incorporated. Spoon the chicken salad onto crackers and top each with a smoked almond for crunch and smoky flavor.

RITZ Crackers are a versatile base for entertaining—whether you assemble them ahead of time or finish them right before guests arrive. These four recipes offer a balance of sweet and savory options that are easy to scale for any gathering.

What would you top RITZ Crackers with?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are my own.