These RITZ Cracker appetizer ideas are perfect for your next party. Two savory recipes and two sweet recipes are versatile enough for any occasion!
RITZ Cracker Appetizer Ideas
Looking for some tasty RITZ Cracker appetizer ideas? Look no further! You've found them. No matter what the occasion, you can get creative with RITZ Crackers and cream cheese to create the perfect spread for entertaining.
It's easy to fall into the rut of thinking that crackers are for savory toppings only. With these four tasty recipes, I'll show you that RITZ Crackers are equally versatile for sweet and savory toppings.

Each RITZ Cracker appetizer idea is simple, delicious, and quite pretty. Scroll down to any of these recipes to make your next cracker tray a hit!
- RITZ Hot Sauce and Jalapeno Topper
- RITZ Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Bites
- RITZ Jalapeno Popper Topper
- RITZ Strawberry Cheesecake Bites


I was able to pick up everything I needed at my local Safeway store.

RITZ Hot Sauce and Jalapeno Topper


RITZ Hot Sauce and Jalapeno Topper
Just three simple ingredients to make this RITZ Cracker appetizer! Cream cheese, hot sauce, and sliced jalapenos make this RITZ appetizer idea an instant hit. Easy to make and perfect for parties.
Ingredients
- 24 RITZ Crackers
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3 jalapenos thinly sliced
- 2 hot sauce
Instructions
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Top each cracker with cream cheese, making a tiny divot for your hot sauce.
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Place two strips of jalapeno on the cream cheese.
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Add one drop of hot sauce. Serve immediately.
RITZ Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Bites


RITZ Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Bites
Make a dessert RITZ Cracker bite with just three ingredients (dark chocolate, pomegranate arils, and cream cheese) plus RITZ Crackers!
Ingredients
- 24 RITZ Crackers
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 4 ounces dark chocolate chopped
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
Instructions
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Spread each cracker with cream cheese.
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Top with one piece of chopped dark chocolate and a pinch of chocolate shavings.
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Top with a few pomegranate arils. Serve immediately.
RITZ Jalapeno Popper Topper


RITZ Jalapeno Popper Topper
A blend of cream cheese and Mexican shredded cheese tops a RITZ Cracker. Finish with a fresh jalapeno garnish!
Ingredients
- 36 RITZ Crackers
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 3 jalapeno peppers each cut into 12 thin slices
Instructions
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Mix first two ingredients until blended.
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Spread on crackers.
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Top with jalapeno pepper slices.
Recipe Notes
How to serve warm: Preheat oven to 350 F. Spread crackers with cheese mixture as directed; place on baking sheet. Bake 5 minutes. Top with peppers.
RITZ Strawberry Cheesecake Bites


RITZ Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
Like a strawberry cheesecake in one bite, this RITZ Cracker recipe combines cream cheese, RITZ Crackers, and fruit topping for a dessert cracker bite.
Ingredients
- 24 RITZ Crackers
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sliced strawberries or use strawberry pie filling
Instructions
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Spread crackers with cream cheese.
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Top with sliced strawberries (or strawberry pie filling).
Optional
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Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.
Recipe Notes
Prepare using your favorite flavor of homemade or canned pie filling.
With these RITZ Cracker appetizer ideas, some RITZ Crackers, and some cream cheese on hand, and you'll be ready when RITZspiration strikes!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.







mmm, I love Ritz crackers. They've always been a personal favourite. I'll for sure be trying some of these! Thanks.
The Hot Sauce and Jalapeno Topper is right up my alley! I love everything spicy! I will be trying this at our next family outting!
I would never have thought to use Ritz for sweet toppings as well as savoury. Some great ideas here!
I'm drooling. All of these ideas look amazing. I love Ritz Crackers. We always have them in the house.
Wow, these are some pretty Ritz! These look great for my upcoming housewarming party. Plus I always have them lying around, so I can make myself a fancy snack too.
Yummy! Crackers are the must have on my shopping list before throwing a party!
They are all rather tempting looking. I have to say though I am really loving the sound of the jalapeno popper the most!
This is so creative and looks yummie. My hubbies is a big fan of these crackers. He can eat a whole box in one sitting. Maybe adding a topping like you did will slow him down a bit 😆 although I doubt it. They are addictive.
These are some yummy idea. I make a crab and shrimp dip, buffalo chicken and curry dip to use with Ritz crackers. I love their buttery tastes.
With the savory ones, I imagine the straight cream cheese would be just fine. Especially to balance out the heat of the jalapeno. But with the fruit ones I am wondering if whipping up something with the cream cheese that was sweet would make them even more amazing.
So many of these dishes I want to try! They all look amazing.
An interesting and hot twist for Ritz cracker family. I will certainly try the sweeter one. I love my Ritz crackers, especially the whole wheat ones.
You did a wonderful job! This looks so delish 🙂
Grew up eating Ritz and we use every holiday when my mom makes her liver pate and blue cheese ball. Couldn't imagine using any other cracker for these dips. That jalapeno popper looks so good but so HOT!
This sounds really delicious.Once I prepared similar appetizer,but the spread was different.Now this is another cheesy appetizer I'd like to try...
Simple to make, inexpensive, and delicious sounds perfect to me