Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Are Your New Easiest Appetizer

What will you get with Ritz cracker party sandwiches? Extra buttery, salty, garlicky crackers with nutty melty Swiss cheese, sweet and smoky ham contrasted by mildly hot pepper jelly—yes, there is a lot going on with a tiny sandwich, but somehow it works! Every time we tested these in the Southern Living Test Kitchen, people swarmed to them! You may feel like you're enjoying the classier version of a ham-and-cheese cracker lunch. The little cornichon makes it feel elevated. The savory butter mix enhances the sandwich without overpowering the other flavors. They come together quickly—which is good because you'll be making tray after tray of these bites.

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches - Southern Living
Photo:

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
8
Ritz Cracker Party Sandwich ingredients on plates and in bowls

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

Ingredients

  • 48 round buttery crackers (such as Ritz) (from 1 [13.7-oz.] pkg.), divided

  • 8 (1-oz.) Swiss cheese slices, cut into 1-in. squares, divided

  • 8 (1-oz.) Black Forest deli ham slices, each cut into 3 equal strips (about 1 1/2-in. wide)

  • 1/4 cup red pepper jelly (such as Braswell's)

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 tsp. everything bagel seasoning

  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

  • 6 cornichons, halved lengthwise and crosswise, optional

Directions

  1. Assemble crackers:

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange 24 of the crackers, top sides down, on a large parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet; top each cracker with 1 piece of cheese and 1 strip of ham, folding ham strip into thirds and lightly pressing down. 

    assembling ritz cracker party sandwiches with cheese and ham - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

  2. Add pepper jelly:

    Layer each ham strip with 1/2 teaspoon pepper jelly and another piece of cheese. Top with remaining 24 crackers, top sides up, to form a sandwich.

    assembling ritz cracker party sandwiches

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

  3. Brush on butter mixture:

    Stir together melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, everything bagel seasoning, and garlic powder until combined. Brush butter mixture evenly on top of cracker sandwiches.

    seasoning mix brushed on ritz cracker party sandwiches

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

  4. Bake:

    Bake in preheated oven until cheese has melted and tops are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

  5. Garnish with pickle:

    Garnish each cracker sandwich with a piece of cornichon threaded onto a wooden pick, if desired. Serve immediately.

    Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches - Southern Living

    Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

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