Irresistible 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Ritz Churro Bites: The Ultimate Sweet & Salty Snack
Get ready to indulge in an incredibly easy and utterly delicious snack that combines the best of two worlds: the classic cinnamon-sugar magic of churros and the beloved sweet-salty crunch of Peanut Butter Ritz Bits. These homemade Ritz Churro Bites are a game-changer, requiring just four simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes to prepare. They are the perfect solution for movie nights, game days, impromptu gatherings, birthday parties, or simply as a delightful afternoon treat when a craving strikes.
The beauty of this snack lies in its simplicity and irresistible flavor profile. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of creamy peanut butter, crisp cracker, and a generous coating of warm cinnamon sugar. It’s a delightful twist on a classic dessert that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
If you’re looking for more quick and satisfying snack ideas with a similar comforting vibe, don’t miss my easy cinnamon sugar Chex mix recipe. For those moments when time is truly of the essence, this 2-minute sweet and salty snack mix or these savory easy garlic ranch pretzels are fantastic alternatives that come together in a flash.
The Inspiration: A Taste of Traditional Churros
Churros are a beloved fried-dough pastry, traditionally originating from Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. These delightful treats are typically long, ridged cylinders, often extruded through a star-tipped piping bag, which gives them their characteristic shape and texture. After being fried to a golden crisp, churros are generously coated in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, resulting in a warm, sweet, and comforting dessert. They are frequently enjoyed on their own or served with a side of rich chocolate or caramel dipping sauce, making them a popular street food and breakfast item worldwide.
While traditional churros require a bit more effort involving dough preparation and deep frying, our Ritz Churro Bites offer all the familiar sweet cinnamon-sugar flavor without the fuss. This innovative snack takes the essence of a churro and reimagines it with a convenient, pre-made base, making it accessible to everyone. The genius of this recipe lies in its simplicity, delivering that beloved flavor profile in a quick, oven-baked format.
This crunchy, churro-inspired snack cleverly captures the quintessential sweet cinnamon-sugar taste but elevates it with a delightful twist: the addition of creamy peanut butter. Each bite-sized Peanut Butter Ritz cracker, with its savory notes, becomes an ideal canvas for the sweet coating.
These peanut butter-filled sandwich crackers are first bathed in melted butter, then generously coated in a fragrant mixture of cinnamon and sugar, and finally baked to sweet and crunchy perfection. The inherent saltiness of the Ritz Bits creates an incredibly addictive contrast with the sweet cinnamon and sugar, resulting in a uniquely balanced flavor that is utterly irresistible. This makes for a snack that’s not just sweet, but complex and deeply satisfying.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Ritz Churro Bites
- Effortlessly Simple: Crafted with only 4 basic ingredients, this recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss, perfect for busy schedules.
- Lightning Fast: From start to finish, these churro bites are ready in approximately twenty minutes, making them an ideal last-minute snack or dessert.
- Universal Appeal: While incredibly kid-friendly, the sophisticated sweet and salty balance makes them equally perfect for grown-ups looking for a delightful treat.
- Perfect for Planning Ahead: These delicious bites can be prepared up to a week in advance, storing beautifully in an airtight container, which makes them an excellent make-ahead party snack or gift.
Essential Ingredients for Your Ritz Churro Bites
This section provides detailed notes on each ingredient and offers helpful substitution options to ensure your Ritz Churro Bites turn out perfectly every time. You can find all precise measurements, ingredients, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post.
- Ritz Bits (Peanut Butter-Filled) – These delightful peanut butter-filled sandwich crackers form the crunchy, savory, and creamy foundation of this easy snack recipe. Their inherent saltiness perfectly complements the sweet coating, creating a truly irresistible flavor profile. If you have a nut allergy or prefer a different flavor, plain mini Ritz crackers work wonderfully as a substitute.
- Unsalted Butter – You will need one stick (½ cup) of melted butter to help the cinnamon sugar adhere to the crackers and give them a rich, golden glaze as they bake. I highly recommend using unsalted butter, as the Ritz crackers already provide a good amount of salt, allowing you to control the overall sodium content and sweetness balance.
- Granulated Sugar – This essential ingredient not only adds sweetness but also, when combined with the melted butter, creates that signature crispy, glazed coating on the crackers during baking. While white granulated sugar is traditional, you could experiment with light brown sugar for a slightly deeper, molasses-like flavor, which would also be delicious.
- Ground Cinnamon – This aromatic spice is the key to achieving that authentic, warm “churro flavor.” When combined with the sugar, it transforms plain crackers into a truly special, bite-sized dessert. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the best fragrance and taste.
Essential Equipment for Preparation
- Small Bowl: For mixing the cinnamon sugar.
- Large Bowl: For tossing the crackers with butter and cinnamon sugar.
- Rubber Spatula: Ideal for gently stirring and coating the delicate crackers.
- Aluminum Foil: To line your baking sheet for easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Large Rimmed Baking Sheet: To ensure even baking and give the crackers enough space.
Crafting Your Delicious Ritz Churro Bites: A Step-by-Step Guide
This section walks you through the entire process of making these delightful Ritz Churro Bites with clear, step-by-step photos and detailed instructions. For the complete, printable recipe card, including exact measurements and nutritional information, please refer to the end of this post. Let’s get baking!
Step 1: Prepare Your Cinnamon Sugar Mixture. In a small, separate bowl, combine your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Whisk them together thoroughly until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar. This ensures every bite of your churro crackers will have that perfect spice and sweetness. Set this fragrant mixture aside for later.
Step 2: Coat the Ritz Bits in Butter. Carefully add the entire box of Peanut Butter Ritz Bits crackers to a large mixing bowl. Gently pour the melted unsalted butter evenly over the crackers. Using a rubber spatula, stir the crackers with a light hand. The goal is to coat each cracker evenly with butter without breaking too many of them. Once they glisten with butter, sprinkle the prepared cinnamon and sugar mixture over the crackers. Continue to toss gently until every cracker is thoroughly coated in the sweet, spicy goodness. This step is crucial for achieving that authentic churro texture and flavor.
Step 3: Arrange for Baking. Take your buttered and seasoned crackers and spread them out in a single layer onto your prepared large rimmed baking sheet (which should be lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup). Ensure they are not overlapping too much, as this allows them to bake evenly and get crispy on all sides. An even layer is key to achieving consistent texture.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection and Cool. Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Halfway through the baking time (around the 5-minute mark), gently toss the cracker mixture using your rubber spatula. This helps ensure all sides get evenly toasted and coated. Once baked, remove the crackers from the oven. As they cool on the baking sheet, use your spatula to turn and break up any large clumps that may have stuck together. This step is important for separating them into individual bites and maintaining their crispness. The crackers will become even crispier as they cool.
Storage Solutions
Room Temperature: The best way to store your delicious Ritz Churro Bites is in an airtight container at room temperature. Placed on your countertop or in the pantry, they will maintain their delightful crispness and flavor for up to 7 days. This makes them an excellent make-ahead snack for parties or a convenient treat to have on hand throughout the week.
In the Freezer: While technically possible, I generally do not recommend freezing these Ritz Churro Bites. Freezing and subsequent thawing can cause the crackers to lose their desirable crispness and become somewhat soggy, compromising their texture. Honestly, this is rarely an issue, as it’s quite challenging to have any of this sweet and salty treat left after a week – they tend to disappear quickly!
Expert Recipe Tips & Tricks for Perfect Bites
- Seek a Shortcut? To make this already easy recipe even simpler, consider buying pre-mixed bottled cinnamon sugar. You can often find this convenient blend in the spice aisle of most grocery stores, saving you a small step in preparation.
- Effortless Clump Prevention. It’s common for some crackers to stick together during baking. To prevent large clumps and ensure individual, crispy bites, make sure to turn and break up the baked crackers once or twice as they cool on the baking sheet. If any stubborn clumps still manage to form after cooling, you can easily break them apart with your hands.
- Double the Deliciousness. This recipe scales up beautifully! If you’re feeding a larger crowd or simply want more to enjoy, feel free to double the batch. For optimal results and even baking, I recommend dividing the mixture and baking it on two separate large baking sheets.
- Air Fryer Alternative. For an even quicker bake, your air fryer can be a great tool. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the coated crackers for approximately 6-8 minutes. Just like with oven baking, toss the mixture halfway through to ensure an even, golden crisp. Keep an eye on them, as air fryer cooking times can vary.
- Thoughtful Homemade Gift. These Ritz Churro Bites make for a wonderful homemade gift! Once cooled, place the sweet snack into decorative mason jars, festive treat bags, or small cellophane baggies. They’re perfect for sharing with family, friends, neighbors, or as a sweet hostess gift.
Exciting Additions and Flavor Variations
- Nut Allergy-Friendly Option. If you or your guests have a nut allergy, or simply prefer a different flavor, absolutely no problem! Easily substitute the peanut butter Ritz Bits for regular mini Ritz crackers. The recipe will still be incredibly delicious, offering a classic sweet and salty profile.
- Boosted Flavor Profile. For an extra layer of warmth and complexity, try stirring a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract into the melted butter before you coat the crackers. This subtle addition enhances the overall sweetness and aroma, taking your churro bites to the next level.
- Extra Cinnamon-Sugar Kick. If you’re a true cinnamon-sugar enthusiast, enhance the flavor by sprinkling a bit of extra cinnamon sugar over the top of the crackers immediately after they come out of the oven. The residual heat will help it adhere, delivering an even more intense churro experience.
- Create an Epic Snack Mix. Transform these churro bites into a full-fledged snack mix! Once cooled, combine them with other complementary ingredients like mini marshmallows, small pretzel twists, chocolate chips (mini ones work great!), candied nuts, Chex cereal, or any other favorite mix-ins. This creates a customizable and irresistible party mix.
Ritz Churro Bites FAQs
No worries at all! If Peanut Butter Ritz Bits are unavailable, you can confidently use plain mini Ritz crackers (without the peanut butter filling) as a substitute. The crunchy texture and salty base will still create a fantastic churro-inspired snack. Simply follow the rest of the recipe as instructed.
There’s no need to refrigerate these sweet treats. They are perfectly stable and will maintain their delicious crunch and flavor when stored in an airtight container on your countertop or in the pantry for up to a week. Keeping them at room temperature also preserves their ideal texture.
More Delicious Recipes Using Ritz Crackers
Ritz crackers are incredibly versatile! If you love using them in creative ways, be sure to check out these other popular recipes:
- Ritz Cracker Thin Mints
- Ritz Chicken Casserole
- Ritz Cracker Meatloaf
Ritz Churro Bites
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 1 box Peanut Butter Ritz Bits 8.8 ounces
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and set it aside.
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In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. This ensures an even distribution of flavor. Set this mixture aside.
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Transfer the Peanut Butter Ritz Bits crackers to a large mixing bowl. Pour the melted butter evenly over the crackers. Using a silicone or rubber spatula, gently mix until all the crackers are lightly and evenly coated with butter. Be careful not to break too many crackers.
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Sprinkle the reserved cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered crackers. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every cracker is fully coated in the sweet and spicy blend.
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Carefully spread the coated crackers out onto your foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Try to ensure they are not overlapping to promote even baking and crispness.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. About halfway through the baking time (after 5 minutes), gently toss the cracker mixture on the baking sheet to help them bake and crisp up evenly.
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Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the coated Ritz crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet. As they cool, use your spatula to turn the crackers once or twice again, helping to break up any large clumps that may have stuck together during baking and ensuring maximum crispness.
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Serve and enjoy these irresistible Ritz Churro Bites immediately, or store them in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
If Peanut Butter Ritz Bits are not available or if you have a nut allergy, plain Ritz Bitz (mini Ritz crackers without filling) can be used as a fantastic substitute in this recipe. All other ingredients and steps remain the same for a delicious alternative.
Nutrition
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