Ingredients
- 48 buttery round crackers, such as Ritz
- 8 oz (225 g) thinly sliced deli ham
- 8 oz (225 g) Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella cheese
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley, optional
The cracker-and-ham-and-cheese combination with a seasoned butter topping is consistent with published baked ham-and-cheese cracker recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make sandwiches: Place 24 crackers in the dish. Add a piece of ham and cheese to each, then cover with another cracker.
- Make topping: Mix melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
- Coat: Brush the seasoned butter generously over the tops of the cracker sandwiches.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the crackers are golden and slightly crisp.
- Finish: Sprinkle with parsley and let them rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Nutrition — Approx. per 2 bites
- Calories: 150–180 kcal
- Protein: 6–8 g
- Carbohydrates: 10–13 g
- Fat: 9–12 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Sodium: ~400–550 mg
Actual nutrition varies by cracker, ham, and cheese brand. A comparable RITZ ham-and-cheese bake lists about 110 calories per 2-cracker serving.
Nut / Allergen Information
- Peanuts: None in the basic recipe
- Tree nuts: None
- Dairy: Yes — cheese and butter
- Wheat/Gluten: Yes — regular crackers
- Eggs: Usually none
- Soy: May be present in crackers, cheese, or processed ham
- Mustard: Yes — Dijon mustard
- Sesame: Check cracker/ham labels
For nut-free: Use brands specifically labeled nut-free if serving someone with a serious allergy.
Q/S — Quick Questions & Substitutions
Can I use turkey instead of ham?
Yes, sliced turkey works very well.
What cheese is best?
Swiss and provolone give the classic flavor. Mozzarella gives more cheese stretch.
Can I use different crackers?
Yes. Any sturdy buttery round cracker works.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes. Assemble them several hours ahead, refrigerate, then brush with the butter mixture and bake just before serving.
Can I air-fry them?
Yes. Air-fry at about 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes, checking early so the crackers don’t burn.
Can I freeze them?
It’s better to freeze the assembled unbaked bites without the butter topping, then thaw/refrigerate and bake fresh for the best texture.