Garlic Bread Ritz Bits are a fun, flavorful snack that combines the buttery, garlicky goodness of garlic bread with the crispy crunch of Ritz crackers. These little bites are perfect for a party appetizer, a quick snack, or even as a side to a pasta dish or salad. Here’s a simple recipe to make these addictive Garlic Bread Ritz Bits at home:
Garlic Bread Ritz Bits
Ingredients:
- 1 sleeve of Ritz Crackers (about 30-35 crackers)
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (or fresh chopped parsley for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, depending on how salty your crackers are)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the garlic butter: In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Once melted, stir in the garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. If you’re using Parmesan cheese, you can mix it into the butter mixture as well.
- Coat the Ritz crackers: Lay the Ritz crackers out on a large plate or shallow dish in a single layer. Using a spoon or a pastry brush, lightly coat each cracker with the garlic butter mixture. Be generous, but not too much, so that each cracker is nicely covered without excess butter pooling.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the coated crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Try to keep them from overlapping for the crispiest results.
- Bake the crackers: Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on them near the end to prevent burning, as the butter can cause them to brown quickly.
- Cool and serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the garlic bread Ritz Bits to cool slightly on the baking sheet. Garnish with extra chopped parsley, if desired, for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
- Serve: Serve warm as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. These are great on their own or served with marinara sauce, ranch dip, or any dipping sauce you like.
Tips:
- Make-ahead: You can prep the garlic butter mixture ahead of time and coat the crackers right before baking. Store the coated crackers in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.
- Add herbs: Experiment with additional herbs like dried basil, thyme, or oregano for a more complex garlic bread flavor.
- Cheese variation: You can also sprinkle some extra Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top of the crackers halfway through baking for a cheesy garlic bread twist.
These Garlic Bread Ritz Bits are a simple but irresistible snack with all the flavors of garlic bread in a tiny, crunchy package. Enjoy!
