Baked Ritz Cracker Ham & Cheese Melts

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Crispy • Cheesy • Buttery • Crowd-Favorite

These little bites are crunchy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and packed with savory flavor. Perfect for appetizers, snacks, game day, potlucks, or even an easy lunch.

A Little Background

Ritz cracker melts became popular because they use simple pantry ingredients and deliver huge flavor. The buttery crackers crisp up beautifully in the oven while the cheese melts into the meat, creating a bite-sized comfort food that both kids and adults love.

(Serves 6–8 | Makes ~24 melts)

Base

  • 48 Ritz crackers (about 1½ sleeves)
  • 24 slices deli ham (thinly sliced)
  • 24 slices Swiss cheese
    (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Provolone, or Colby Jack also work great)

Buttery Topping

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of paprika or red pepper flakes

Instructions (Step-by-Step)

Preheat & Prepare

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  • Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish or line with parchment paper

Assemble the Cracker Sandwiches

  1. Lay 24 Ritz crackers flat in the baking dish
  2. Place ½ slice ham on each cracker (fold if needed)
  3. Add ½ slice cheese on top
  4. Cover with another Ritz cracker to make a sandwich

Make the Butter Sauce

In a bowl, mix:

  • Melted butter
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Parsley
  • Italian seasoning
  • Black pepper

Stir well so the spices are evenly distributed.

Pour & Rest

  • Slowly drizzle the butter mixture over all the cracker sandwiches
  • Make sure each one gets coated
  • Let sit for 5–10 minutes so the crackers absorb the flavor

Bake to Perfection

  • Cover loosely with foil
  • Bake for 15 minutes
  • Remove foil and bake another 5–7 minutes until:
  • Crackers are golden
  • Cheese is bubbly
  • Tops are crispy

Cool & Serve

  • Let cool 3–5 minutes
  • Serve warm and watch them disappear!

Pro Tips & Variations

Flavor Swaps

  • Turkey + Swiss for a lighter version
  • Salami + Mozzarella for Italian vibes
  • Roast beef + Provolone for bold flavor

Extra Crunch

  • Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top before baking

Sweet & Savory Twist

  • Add ½ teaspoon brown sugar to the butter mixture

Kid-Friendly Version

  • Use American cheese and skip spices

Why Everyone Loves This Recipe

✔ Budget-friendly
✔ No fancy ingredients
✔ Ready in under 30 minutes
✔ Perfect make-ahead appetizer
✔ Easy to double or triple

Final Thought :

Ritz Cracker Ham & Cheese Melts are one of those recipes people ask for every time you make them. Crispy, cheesy, buttery, and comforting — simple food done right.

If you want, I can also give you:

  • Air fryer version**
  • Bacon ranch version**
  • Spicy jalapeño version**
  • Vegetarian version**

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