There’s something so satisfying about making your own crackers from scratch, and these Homemade Ritz Crackers are no exception! Light, buttery, and perfectly crispy, they taste just like the classic store-bought version—but without all of those artificial ingredients.

Looking for more easy cracker recipes to make at home? Try my Homemade Goldfish Crackers or Homemade Cheez Its next!

Ritz crackers piled up on a white plate.

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    Before You Start / Kelley’s Tips

    • Keep the Butter Cold. Just like when you’re making pie dough, cold butter helps give the crackers that flaky, crispy texture. If your kitchen is warm, chill the butter cubes in the freezer for a few minutes before using.
    • Roll Thin for Extra Crispness. Aim for 1/8-inch thickness to ensure the crackers bake up light and crunchy. Thicker crackers may end up too soft.
    • Poke Holes for Even Baking. Use a fork to prick the tops of the crackers before baking. This prevents them from puffing up too much in the oven.

    Ingredients Needed

    • All-Purpose Flour – The base of the crackers and it gives them structure.
    • Baking Powder – Ensures the crackers aren’t too dense and gives them that signature crispy texture.
    • Granulated Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the buttery, salty flavors.
    • Salt – Enhances the flavor and brings out the buttery richness.
    • Cold Butter – The key to achieving a flaky, tender cracker.
    • Ice Water – Helps bring the dough together without making it too sticky. Adding ice to the water ensures the dough stays cold too!
    • Egg – Brushed on top before baking to give the crackers a beautiful golden color and a slight sheen. Just like store-bought Ritz crackers!

    How to Make Homemade Ritz Crackers

    1. Make Cracker Dough: Add flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cold butter and ice water to a food processor with the blade attachment. Pulse for 30 seconds or until the mixture starts to form a dough. If the dough is not forming into a dough add more ice water 1 tbsp at a time.
    Top down view of a food processor bowl with Ritz crackers ingredients.
    Top down view of a food processor bowl with cracker dough.
    1. Refrigerate Dough: Grab the dough and form it into a round, flat disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour. (You could even do it overnight)
    Cracker dough wrapped with plastic wrap. A hand is holding the dough.
    1. Roll and Cut the Dough: When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Using a small fluted cutter, cut out crackers and transfer them to a baking sheet. You can re-roll the scraps of dough and cut out the remaining dough.
    Cracker dough rolled out thin and cut into cracker shapes.
    1. Bake the Crackers: Using a fork, prick holes in each of the crackers. This will help them not to puff up in the oven. Brush with egg wash, then bake for 10 minutes or golden brown. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes then enjoy! They crisp up as they cool!
    A hand holding a a fork, pricking holes into the crackers.
    Crackers placed on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

    Serving Suggestions

    Of course these crackers make a great snack on their own, but sometimes it’s fun to change things up with spreads or dips! These are some of my favorite ways to serve the crackers:

    • Classic cheddar, brie, or gouda
    • Cream cheese with a drizzle of honey
    • Slices of salami, prosciutto, or pepperoni
    • Smoked salmon with a dollop of cream cheese and capers
    • Classic dips like hummus, guacamole, or spinach artichoke dip
    • Cheesy dips like queso, pimento cheese spread, or baked brie
    • Savory salads like tuna salad or chicken salad
    • Sweet spreads like Nutella, peanut butter, or homemade jam
    • Crushed on top of tomato soup or creamy potato soup
    A knife spreading peanut butter on Ritz crackers to make mini cracker sandwiches.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make these crackers without a food processor?

    Yes! You can actually use a pastry cutter, fork or your hands to mix the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Then, slowly add the ice water and mix until a dough forms.

    Why is my dough so dry or crumbly?

    If the dough isn’t coming together, add more ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until it forms a smooth dough. Avoid adding too much, or the crackers may turn out chewy instead of crisp.

    Can I make the dough ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make the dough and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before rolling and baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly before rolling it out.

    Can I add different flavors to these crackers?

    Absolutely! Try mixing in a bit of grated cheese, garlic powder, or dried herbs like rosemary or thyme for a fun twist. You can also brush them with melted butter after baking for extra richness.

    Ritz crackers piled on a white plate.

    More Snack Recipes to Try

    Recipe

    Homemade Ritz Crackers

    There’s something so satisfying about making your own crackers from scratch, and these Homemade Ritz Crackers are no exception! Light, buttery, and perfectly crispy, they taste just like the classic store-bought version—but without all of those artificial ingredients.
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Chilling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Serves 30 crackers
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    Email this Recipe

    Enter your email to get it straight in your inbox! Plus, receive new recipes weekly!

      Ingredients 

      Instructions

      • Add flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cold butter and ice water to a food processor with the blade attachment.
        Pulse for 30 seconds or until the mixture starts to form a dough. If the dough is not forming into a dough add more ice water 1 tbsp at a time.
      • Grab the dough and form it into a round flat disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour. (You could even do overnight)
      • When you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
        Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness.
        Using a small fluted cutter cut out crackers and transfer to baking sheet.
        You can re-roll the scraps of dough and cut out the remaining dough.
      • Using a fork prick holes in each of the crackers. This will help them not to puff up in the oven.
      • Brush with egg wash then bake for 10 minutes or golden brown.
        Allow them to cool for 10 minutes then enjoy! They crisp up as they cool!

      Nutrition Information

      Calories: 32kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 34mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 56IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.2mg

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