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These buttery cheese crackers get a mouthwatering makeover with garlic and herbs, turning ordinary Ritz Bits into tiny flavor bombs. The savory combo of butter and garlic with classic Italian seasonings makes these snackable bites totally irresistible - you won't be able to stop munching!
I whipped these up when friends came over for games night and I hadn't planned any snacks. They were such a smash hit that nobody touched the dinner I made later! Now everyone bugs me to make them whenever they come over.
What You'll Need
- 1 box of cheese-filled Ritz Bits: the cheese filling works magic with the other flavors
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter: lets you handle the saltiness yourself
- 2–3 garlic cloves: finely chopped, nothing beats real garlic for that authentic taste
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder: backs up the fresh garlic without going overboard
- 1 teaspoon of dried parsley: brings some color and light herby notes
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano: adds that Italian food vibe everyone loves
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil: brings a touch of sweetness and depth
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt: wakes up all the other flavors
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper: gives a bit of warmth
- 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese: grate it fresh if you can for best results
Easy Cooking Guide
- Get Your Oven Hot:
- Turn your oven to 350°F and let it heat up completely while getting everything else ready. This step matters a lot - a fully heated oven means your crackers will crisp up evenly without burning on the edges.
- Mix Up Your Garlic Butter:
- Melt your butter on medium heat without letting it brown. Toss in your chopped garlic once it's melted and cook for about 1-2 minutes until you can really smell that garlicky goodness. Don't walk away - garlic can turn bitter if it cooks too long.
- Blend Your Seasonings:
- Put your garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil, salt and pepper in a small bowl and mix them up. Doing this first means you'll get even flavor in every bite when you add it to the crackers later on.
- Cover Your Crackers:
- Put your Ritz Bits in a big bowl where you've got space to move them around. Pour your warm garlic butter over them and gently toss with a soft spatula so you don't break them. Sprinkle in your seasoning mix bit by bit while keeping everything moving until all crackers look evenly coated.
- Into The Oven:
- Lay your crackers out in one layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Don't pile them up or they won't get crispy. Bake for 10-15 minutes, giving them a stir halfway so they brown nicely all over. They'll darken slightly and smell amazing when they're done.
- Finish With Cheese:
- Right after they come out of the oven, scatter your Parmesan over the hot crackers. The heat helps the cheese stick better as it melts a little. Give everything a gentle toss to spread the cheesy goodness around.
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Fresh minced garlic really makes this snack special. Once when making a batch for my kid's birthday, I randomly doubled the garlic amount. Wow! The flavor kicked up to a whole new level, and I had guests asking for my recipe before they left. Sometimes kitchen accidents turn into family favorites!
Prep Now, Enjoy Later
You can fix these garlic-flavored Ritz Bits up to three days before you need them, which is super handy when planning parties. Just keep them in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry. Funny enough, they taste even better after sitting for a day as all those flavors get cozy with each other. If they soften up a bit, just throw them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to crisp them up again.
Great Food Combos
These garlicky, herb-covered crackers taste amazing with all kinds of dips. Try dunking them in some marinara sauce or a creamy spinach dip for an awesome starter. They're also really good with soup instead of regular croutons - they add way more flavor and interesting texture. Want to fancy up your meat and cheese board? Scatter these around and watch how fast they disappear.
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Tasty Twists
The cool thing about this snack is how easy it is to switch things up based on what you like. Want some heat? Throw in some red pepper flakes with your seasonings. Big cheese fan? Try using sharp cheddar or asiago instead of Parmesan. For a taste of the Mediterranean, add some dried rosemary and swap in some crumbled feta after baking instead of the Parmesan.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Could I use plain Ritz Bits instead of the cheese-filled ones?
Absolutely, plain Ritz Bits work too. The buttery garlic blend will still taste amazing, but the cheese-filled kind adds an extra touch of richness.
- → Is garlic powder okay to use instead of fresh garlic?
Sure, garlic powder is fine! Fresh garlic gives a stronger aroma, but for powder, start with about 1/2 teaspoon and adjust as needed.
- → How should I keep leftovers fresh?
Pop them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crisp and fresh for around 3-4 days.
- → Can I swap Parmesan with something else?
If Parmesan isn’t on hand, try Pecorino Romano or even nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor.
- → Is there a way to make this vegan-friendly?
For a vegan version, switch the butter to a plant-based option and use vegan cheese or omit the cheese entirely.
- → Would fresh herbs work instead of dried ones?
Fresh herbs will deliver bolder flavors. Just use about three times the amount called for with dried herbs.