Ritz Cracker Sandwiches
Ritz cracker sandwiches are savory bites of roast beef and melted provolone cheese between buttery Ritz crackers, brushed with a horseradish butter sauce and topped with poppy seeds. Perfect for game day snacks, easy appetizers, holiday parties, or when you want something more interesting than plain crackers and cheese. Ready in 22 minutes at 350°F, they make 24 mini sandwiches and cost under $20 using simple ingredients.
I’m not sure I can call these sandwiches without someone giving me a confused look. Are they crackers? Are they sliders? Are they sandwiches?
When I think of crackers, my ranch oyster crackers, bacon wrapped crackers, and these Alabama firecrackers come to mind. But a sandwich, or a slider, makes me think of grilled cheese, a turkey club, or a BLT.
These are really where in between the two. But if we are getting in the details, isn’t a sandwich really anything between pieces of bread?
Let’s just go with party sandwiches and move on with our lives. You can call these little bites anything you want to.
Crispy, buttery crackers, tender roast beef, melty cheese, and a hint of horseradish not only make these delicious, but irresistible, regardless of what you call them.
More Bite-Sized Appetizers
- Chicken & Waffle Sliders – Sweet-savory mini sandwiches
- Spinach Balls – Crispy, colorful bites
- Mac and Cheese Balls – Creamy, cheesy goodness
- Pigs in a Blanket – Classic crescent-wrapped little smokies
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclosure policy.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Crackers – I like to use Ritz crackers but really any buttery cracker will do. Club Crackers are a great substitute and so are saltines!
- Roast beef – Use deli roast beef for easy prep. Just be sure to get it at the deli and not those super thin pre-packaged slices. You can also use leftover roast beef if you have some handy.
- Cheese – I like to use provolone with roast beef but feel free to use your favorite. Beef and cheddar are also a great combination. Mozzarella or Monterey Jack are great too and melt really well!
- Butter – Be sure to use unsalted butter since the other ingredients have salt in them and you don’t want to over do it.
- Dijon Mustard – Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard are a great substitute.
- Prepared horseradish sauce – Be sure to use the creamy sauce and not the grated horseradish. Unless you like it really strong!
- Poppy seeds – I love these on the sliders but you can always swap them out for sesame seeds or leave them off all together.
For more insider tips, tricks, and a behind the scenes look, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & X.
How To Make Ritz Cracker Sandwiches
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick spray. The cheese will stick to unsprayed foil.
- Place 24 Ritz crackers flat-side down in an even layer on the prepared pan. Top each cracker with one piece of roast beef (a third of a slice) and one piece of provolone cheese (a third of a slice). Place another Ritz cracker on top.
- Combine melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, horseradish sauce, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- Pour or brush the butter mixture over all the crackers. Sprinkle poppy seeds over the tops. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove and serve warm.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The crackers will soften after the first day but still taste good.
Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through and the cheese re-melts. You can also use the air fryer at 325ºF for 3-4 minutes. I don’t recommend using a microwave. The crackers get soggy and fall apart.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the sandwiches and prepare the butter sauce up to 4 hours ahead. Keep them separate and refrigerate. Brush with butter and bake right before serving.
Not Freezer-Friendly: I don’t recommend freezing these. The crackers get soggy and fall apart when you thaw them out. Plus, they are so easy to make you don’t need to freeze them.
Variations
- Ham and Swiss: Use deli ham and Swiss cheese instead of roast beef and provolone for classic ham and cheese flavor.
- Turkey and Cheddar: Substitute turkey and cheddar cheese for different flavor.
- Italian Style: Use salami or pepperoni with mozzarella and add Italian seasoning to the butter sauce.
- Different Crackers: Try Club crackers or Townhouse crackers instead of Ritz.
- Extra Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the butter mixture for more heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Assemble the sandwiches and make the butter sauce up to 4 hours ahead. Keep them separate and refrigerate. Brush with butter and bake right before you’re ready to serve. This keeps them crispy!
Absolutely! Ham and Swiss, turkey and cheddar, or salami and mozzarella all work great. Use any deli meat and cheese combination you like.
Skip it! The sandwiches are still delicious with just the butter, Worcestershire, mustard, and garlic powder. You won’t have that spicy kick but they’ll still taste great.
You need to spray the foil or parchment paper with nonstick spray. The melted cheese can cause them to stick and they will break apart when you try and pick them up. A silicone baking mat works great too!
The tops should be golden brown and the cheese will be melted. This takes 10-12 minutes at 350°F. If they start to brown before the cheese melts, cover them with a piece of aluminum foil.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Spray the foil or parchment paper with nonstick spray. You can also use a silicone baking mat.The cheese will stick and the sandwiches will break apart otherwise.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet or 9×13 dish. The butter sauce can run and you don’t want it dripping in your oven.
- Place crackers flat-side down so they don’t wobble. This creates a stable base for stacking.
- Cut deli meat and cheese into thirds or fold them oven fo they fit in the cracker.
- Use a spoon or brush to distribute the butter sauce evenly over all the sandwiches.
- Watch them during the last few minutes of baking. Ovens vary and you don’t want them to burn.
- Serve warm right out of the oven. The cheese is melty and the crackers are at their crispiest.
These Ritz cracker party sandwiches are the perfect bite for any party. Light enough as a snack or serve them with some sides for an easy, fun meal.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe
Ingredients
- 48 Ritz crackers
- 8 slices roast beef cut in thirds
- 8 slices provolone cheese cut in thirds
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet (with a rim) with parchment paper or aluminum foil. If you use foil, spray it with nonstick spray as the cheese will stick. I like to use the parchment of a silicone baking mat. You can also use a 9×13 baking dish.
- Place 24 crackers in an even layer. You can place the flat side down to keep them from wobbling.
- On top of each cracker, place a piece of roast beef and a piece of cheese. Top with another cracker to make 24 mini sandwiches.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, horseradish sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Stir to mix.
- Pour over the cracker sandwiches evenly to coat them.
- Sprinkle with the poppy seeds.
- Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Remove and enjoy!
Notes
- Spray the foil or parchment paper with nonstick spray. The cheese will stick and the sandwiches will break apart otherwise.
- Use a rimmed baking sheet or 9×13 dish. The butter sauce can run and you don’t want it dripping in your oven.
- Place crackers flat-side down so they don’t wobble. This creates a stable base for stacking.
- Cut deli meat and cheese into thirds or fold them oven fo they fit in the cracker.
- Use a spoon or brush to distribute the butter sauce evenly over all the sandwiches.
- Watch them during the last few minutes of baking. Ovens vary and you don’t want them to burn.
- Serve warm right out of the oven. The cheese is melty and the crackers are at their crispiest.
Nutrition
©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
