Ritz Churro Bites
235
18
1.30k
I still remember the first time I made these — five minutes in the oven and a bowl of melted chocolate later, the whole house smelled like a fairground. Ritz Churro Bites are tiny, crunchy cinnamon-sugar crackers made from simple pantry staples: Ritz crackers, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and melted chocolate for dipping. They’re ridiculously quick, supremely snackable, and a perfect last-minute dessert when you want something warm and nostalgic. If you prefer an air-fryer approach or want a crispier finish, try this handy air fryer churro bites recipe for comparison: air fryer churro bites recipe.
Why you’ll love this dish
These little bites hit the sweet spot—literally. With a buttery coating that helps the cinnamon-sugar adhere and a short bake to toast the crackers, you get a crunchy, slightly caramelized exterior and a familiar salty-sweet contrast from the Ritz. They’re perfect for:
- Quick party appetizers or kid-friendly snack time
- Holiday cookie plates when you need one more easy recipe
- Movie nights when you want a dip-able sweet treat
“Tiny, irresistible, and done in under 10 minutes—these quickly became my go-to snack whenever I needed something sweet without turning on the oven for an hour.” — a happy tester
If you’re planning a themed brunch or need a portable treat, you might also like pairing them with bite-sized savory snacks like those from an air-fryer breakfast bites round-up: air-fryer breakfast bites.
How this recipe comes together
The process is delightfully simple: shallow-dip each cracker in melted butter, shake off excess, toss in cinnamon-sugar, then give them a quick bake so the coating sets and the edges toast. Once cool, serve with melted chocolate for dipping. Expect about 10–12 minutes of hands-on time and roughly 5–7 minutes in the oven—fast enough for an impromptu dessert.
For a no-oven option, many cooks adapt the same steps for an air fryer; if that’s your preference, check out this sweet air-fryer churro bites alternative for technique notes: sweet air-fryer churro bites.
What you’ll need
- Ritz crackers (regular round crackers)
- Unsalted butter (melted) — salt helps balance the sweet, but use unsalted if you prefer control over seasoning
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Chocolate for dipping (semisweet, milk, or dark — chopped or chips)
Substitution notes: For a lower-sugar option, use a 1:1 mix of sugar and a granular non-nutritive sweetener that bakes well. To make these vegan, swap in a plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate.
Directions to follow
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
- Melt the butter in a shallow bowl until fully liquid.
- In another shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon until evenly mixed. Use more or less cinnamon to taste (start with 1–2 teaspoons per cup of sugar).
- Working one at a time, dip a Ritz cracker into the melted butter, tilting the bowl so the cracker gets an even coating. Shake off any large drips.
- Drop the butter-coated cracker into the cinnamon-sugar and gently press or toss to coat both sides evenly. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 5–7 minutes, watching closely: you want a golden edge, not burnt sugar. Rotate the sheet halfway if your oven runs hot.
- Remove from the oven and let crackers cool on the sheet for a few minutes so the coating sets. Serve warm or at room temperature with melted chocolate for dipping.
Pro tip: Melt chocolate in short bursts in the microwave (20–30 seconds), stirring between bursts, so it stays smooth and doesn’t seize.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve these Ritz Churro Bites on a platter around a shallow bowl of warm melted chocolate for dipping. They’re great alongside:
- Fresh berries or orange segments for a bright contrast
- Coffee, hot chocolate, or chai for a cozy pairing
- A dessert board with cookies, marshmallows, and nuts for a party spread
For a fancier presentation, stand the crackers around a small ramekin of chocolate and sprinkle flaky sea salt over some of the bites for a salted-caramel vibe.
How to store & freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to preserve crunch. If the coating loses some crispness, re-crisp in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3–5 minutes. Do not refrigerate—moisture from the fridge will soften them.
Freezing: Place fully cooled bites in a single layer on a sheet to flash-freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature; re-crisp briefly in a warm oven if needed.
Food safety: Because these are shelf-stable (no dairy inside the bites), room-temperature storage is fine. Keep chocolate dips refrigerated if left out for more than two hours and reheat gently before serving.
Pro chef tips
- Use room-temperature crackers so they don’t crack when dipped.
- Shake off excess butter to avoid soggy centers—thin, even coating is key.
- If you want a shinier finish, toss the baked bites in a light dusting of extra cinnamon-sugar right after they come out of the oven while still tacky.
- For uniform coating, use two forks to move crackers between bowls instead of fingers.
- Watch the oven during the last minute; the sugar can caramelize fast and go from perfect to bitter.
Creative twists
- Chocolate-dipped: Dip half the cracker in dark chocolate, then sprinkle with toasted coconut or chopped toasted almonds.
- Caramel drizzle: Warm a few tablespoons of store-bought caramel and drizzle over cooled bites for a richer treat.
- Spiced version: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar for a fall-forward flavor.
- Savory-sweet: Swap half the sugar for grated Parmesan and use a pinch of paprika for a snackable savory twist.
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free buttery round cracker in place of Ritz.
Helpful answers
Q: How long do they take from start to finish?
A: Plan for about 10–15 minutes total: 3–5 minutes prep and 5–7 minutes baking. Cooling and chocolate melting add a few minutes more.
Q: Can I make these ahead?
A: Yes — make them the same day and store in an airtight container. For parties, bake them the morning of and re-crisp briefly before serving.
Q: Will they get soggy with chocolate?
A: Dip right before serving. If you coat them fully in chocolate and store, the bite may soften faster. A half-dip or serving the chocolate separately preserves crunch.
Q: Are they kid-safe to make?
A: Absolutely. Kids can coat crackers and toss them in sugar; an adult should handle the oven and hot chocolate.
Conclusion
If you want another take on this easy snack, check out the original Ritz Churro Bites – Dang That’s Sweet for inspiration and photos. For a different home-kitchen spin with step-by-step photos, see the Ritz Churro Bites – Princess Pinky Girl post. And if you’re curious how others adapt the idea, read the RITZ BITS CHURROS RECIPE at Call Me PMc for more variations and tips.
Ritz Churro Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
- Melt the butter in a shallow bowl until fully liquid.
- In another shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon until evenly mixed.
- Working one at a time, dip a Ritz cracker into the melted butter, shaking off any excess drips.
- Drop the butter-coated cracker into the cinnamon-sugar, gently pressing or tossing to coat both sides evenly.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 5–7 minutes, keeping a close watch to achieve a golden edge without burning.
- Remove from the oven and let crackers cool on the sheet for a few minutes so the coating sets.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with melted chocolate for dipping.
