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Ritz Garlic Jalapeño Cheese Bites: Easy Party Appetizer

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Get ready to meet your new favorite snack! These Ritz Garlic Jalapeño Cheese Bites are a revelation in bite-sized deliciousness, combining buttery crackers with a creamy, cheesy filling that has just the right kick.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 sleeves Ritz Crackers (approximately 36–40 crackers)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 3–4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2–3 fresh jalapeños (diced)
  • 1 large egg
  • Optional: cooked, finely crumbled beef bacon bits
  • Optional: pinch of onion powder
  • Optional: dash of hot sauce (like tabasco)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Finely crush about 1 1/2 sleeves of Ritz crackers. Divide the crushed crackers: put about 1/2 cup aside for the cheese filling, and the remaining 1 to 1 1/4 cups in a shallow dish for coating the bites.
  3. In a small bowl, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Mince your fresh garlic cloves and finely dice your jalapeños, removing seeds and membranes for less heat. Grate your cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses if you haven't already. Ensure your cream cheese is softened.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, minced garlic, and diced jalapeños.
  6. Add the 1/2 cup of reserved crushed Ritz crackers and the large egg to the cheese mixture.
  7. Using a spatula or your hands, gently mix all the ingredients together until just combined.
  8. Take about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture and roll it into a small ball, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Repeat until all the mixture is used, yielding approximately 24-30 bites.
  9. Dip each cheese ball into the melted butter, allowing excess to drip off, then roll in the crushed Ritz crackers to coat.
  10. Place the coated cheese bites onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
  11. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Let the bites cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a serving platter.

Nutrition

Keywords: For a spicier kick, leave some jalapeño seeds in. You can also experiment with different cheese blends for unique flavors. These bites can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.

Find it online: https://homebitesia.com/ritz-garlic-jalapeno-cheese-bites-easy-party-appetizer/