If you crave a delightful mix of crunchy, buttery, and cinnamon-sweet goodness, then the Ritz Bits Churros Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. This snack beautifully transforms those simple Ritz Bits peanut butter sandwiches into a warm, cozy, and irresistible bite that feels like churros without the fuss of frying. You’ll love how the cinnamon sugar coating perfectly complements the rich buttery caramel glaze, making each handful a perfect balance of textures and flavors that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple with everyday ingredients that come together effortlessly. Each component plays a crucial role—from the buttery base that gives richness, to the peanut butter sandwich crackers that bring a nostalgic crunch, and the cinnamon sugar blend that adds that classic churro-style kick.
- 1 (8.8 oz) box Ritz Bits peanut butter sandwiches: The star of the show, these bite-sized crackers bring that famous buttery crunch and peanut buttery center.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Melts into a luscious caramel coating for the crackers, enhancing richness without overwhelming sweetness.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes perfectly with the butter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warm, fragrant notes that deepen the flavor profile.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The key spice that gives this snack its authentic churro vibe.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Used with cinnamon to create the irresistible coating that clings beautifully to the warm crackers.
How to Make Ritz Bits Churros Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple preparation ensures your snack will bake evenly without sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Coat the Ritz Bits with Butter and Brown Sugar Mixture
Pour the entire box of Ritz Bits into a large mixing bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter and brown sugar, stirring constantly until it just starts to bubble. Off heat, stir in the vanilla extract for that irresistible aroma. Then, pour this hot, silky mixture over the crackers and gently toss until each piece is evenly coated in buttery caramel goodness.
Step 3: Bake the Coated Crackers
Spread the coated Ritz Bits in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet, ensuring they’re not overlapping. Bake for 10 minutes—this allows the caramel to set and deepen in flavor while the crackers become even crispier.
Step 4: Add the Signature Cinnamon Sugar Coating
As soon as you pull the baking sheet from the oven, let the crackers cool just five minutes—warm enough to hold on to that cinnamon sugar, but cool enough to avoid melting it away. Combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl. Toss or sprinkle the warm crackers with this classic churro coating, giving each bite that sweet, spicy finish you’ll adore.
Step 5: Cool Completely and Store
Allow the Ritz Bits Churros to cool fully before transferring to an airtight container. This final step ensures they stay crisp and snack-worthy for days, perfect for sharing (or not!).
How to Serve Ritz Bits Churros Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of indulgence, dust the finished Ritz Bits Churros with a pinch of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate. A sprinkling of chopped peanuts or a light dusting of cocoa powder also pairs beautifully if you want to amplify texture and flavor.
Side Dishes
These churro-inspired bites are fantastic alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a small bowl of warm chocolate sauce for dunking. They are also a fantastic companion to a cup of rich coffee or creamy hot chocolate, turning everyday snack time into a cozy celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these spicy-sweet snacks in colorful, festive bowls for parties or package them up in cute treat bags wrapped with a ribbon for gifting. Layering them in clear jars showcases their golden caramel shine and cinnamon dusting, making them a visually delightful gift or party favor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After these treats have fully cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the Ritz Bits Churros crunchy and delicious, ready for whenever the craving hits next.
Freezing
If you want to preserve them longer, freeze these spiced snacks in a sealed bag or container for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a sweet, crunchy treat.
Reheating
To revive any lost crispness, pop the snacks in a preheated 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool briefly before munching—you’ll have that fresh-baked warmth and crunch back in no time.
FAQs
Can I use Ritz Bits cheese sandwiches instead of peanut butter?
Absolutely! Swapping peanut butter Ritz Bits for cheese ones creates a unique savory-sweet combo, although it will shift the flavor away from traditional churros toward a more unexpected snack experience.
Is it necessary to use unsalted butter?
Unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and keeps the flavor balanced, but if you only have salted butter, just reduce any additional salt if your recipe calls for it. It will still taste amazing.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Since Ritz Bits peanut butter sandwiches contain gluten, this recipe isn’t gluten-free as is. You could experiment with gluten-free peanut butter sandwich cookies or crackers for a similar effect.
How long do these churro-style treats stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay deliciously fresh and crunchy for about 3 days. After that, the texture might soften but the flavor remains.
What’s the best way to toss the crackers in the cinnamon sugar?
While still warm but not too hot, either sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the crackers or place them in a large bowl, add the sugar mixture, and gently toss to coat every piece without breaking them.
Final Thoughts
This Ritz Bits Churros Recipe is such a delightful snack hack that’s bound to become a staple in your home. It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress friends and family with that perfect mix of buttery crunch, sweet cinnamon, and peanut buttery goodness. Give it a try—it might just become your go-to treat for parties, cozy nights, or whenever you’re in the mood for a little sweet magic.
Print
Ritz Bits Churros Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Ritz Bits Churros are a delightful, easy-to-make snack combining the classic peanut butter sandwich crackers coated in a warm buttery brown sugar glaze and finished with a cinnamon sugar dusting. Perfect for parties or as a festive treat, this baked snack offers the sweet, cinnamon flavor reminiscent of traditional churros with the crunch of Ritz Bits.
Ingredients
Snack Base
- 1 (8.8 oz) box Ritz Bits peanut butter sandwiches
Coating
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Crackers and Sauce: Place the Ritz Bits in a large mixing bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter together with the brown sugar, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour this hot butter-sugar mixture over the Ritz Bits and toss gently to coat all crackers evenly.
- Bake the Coated Crackers: Spread the coated Ritz Bits in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize slightly and stick to the crackers. Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare and Apply Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix ground cinnamon and granulated sugar. While the crackers are still slightly warm, sprinkle or toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until all crackers are evenly coated with the cinnamon sugar.
- Cool and Store: Allow the cinnamon-coated Ritz Bits churros to cool completely before serving or transferring to an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- These make excellent party snacks or festive treats to package as gifts.
- You can substitute the peanut butter Ritz Bits with Ritz Bits cheese sandwiches for a savory-sweet variation, though the flavor profile will be different.
