These Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey. They’re a favorite around the holidays or any time you want a simple, crowd-pleasing treat. Made with just a few pantry staples and no baking required, they’re quick to assemble and easy to customize for parties or gift trays.
These cracker sandwiches are especially popular at holidays because they’re effortless to make and look festive once decorated. You can keep things simple with a white or milk chocolate coating or dress them up with colored chocolate and sprinkles to match the season. This recipe uses the microwave to melt chocolate for a fast, fuss-free method.
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers
- An easy no-bake dessert that almost everyone enjoys.
- Great as an edible gift or for a holiday cookie tray—simple to prepare in batches.
- Highly customizable: change the chocolate color and toppings for different events.
- Only a few ingredients and no oven required.
🍪 Ingredients
- Ritz crackers – the buttery, salty base for these sandwich cookies (off-brand crackers also work).
- Creamy peanut butter – smooth texture works best; avoid crunchy peanut butter for the filling.
- Powdered sugar – to sweeten and firm up the peanut butter filling.
- Dipping chocolate – white chocolate chips, milk chocolate, semi‑sweet, or dark chocolate chips all work.
Full measurements and a printable recipe card are included below in the recipe section.
Substitutions and Variations
- Common creamy peanut butters such as Jif or Skippy are convenient; a natural creamy peanut butter can be used but may need extra powdered sugar and longer chilling.
- Valentine’s Day: use white chocolate and add red and pink sprinkles before the coating sets.
- Halloween: dye chocolate bright colors and add candy eyes for a spooky twist.
- Easter: tint white chocolate with pastel food coloring and finish with sprinkles.
- Decorating tip: transfer melted chocolate to a piping bag or resealable bag, snip the tip, and drizzle for a neat design.
- Other toppings: shredded coconut, crushed cookies, or a sprinkle of sea salt are tasty options.
- Try almond butter or another seed/nut butter as a peanut-free alternative if desired.
🔪 Instructions
Prep: Line a baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
Step 1: Stir together the creamy peanut butter and the powdered sugar until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Arrange 30 Ritz crackers face down on the prepared pan to form the bottoms of the sandwiches.
Step 3: Place about 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture in the center of each cracker, keeping it from overflowing the edges.
Step 4: Gently top each with another cracker to form a sandwich. Place the tray in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm the filling.
Pro tip: Don’t melt the chocolate until you’re ready to dip so it stays smooth while you work.
Step 5: Place 2 cups of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is mostly melted.
Step 6: Stir in the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips until fully smooth. This helps the coating firm up nicely.
Step 7: Dip each chilled sandwich cookie into the melted chocolate using a fork or dipping tool. Tap off the excess chocolate, then set the cookie back on the parchment-lined sheet.
Step 8: Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or speed things up by briefly chilling the tray in the refrigerator. Once firm, serve or store.
To serve: Arrange on a platter for guests or package as an edible gift. They’re delicious with a cold glass of milk.
Recipe Tips
- Use good-quality chocolate for a better texture and flavor, though candy melts also work for colorful coatings.
- If the chocolate starts to thicken while dipping, reheat briefly in 15–30 second bursts and stir.
- Melting most of the chips first, then stirring in the remainder helps the chocolate set firmer and resist discoloration.
- If your peanut butter is very soft (as with some natural brands), add more powdered sugar and chill until quite firm before dipping to avoid oozing.
Fun Fact
During the Great Depression, Ritz crackers were considered an affordable small luxury.
Recipe FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 1–2 weeks at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They keep well, so making a double batch is a good idea.
The small holes are part of the baking process and help the crackers bake evenly.
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers
Servings
30 sandwich cookies
Ingredients
- 60 Ritz crackers
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 ½ cups white chocolate chips (or semi‑sweet/milk/dark chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Line a small sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Mix peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Place 30 crackers face down on the lined pan. Add about 1 tablespoon of filling to each and top with another cracker to form sandwiches.
- Freeze the assembled sandwiches for about 30 minutes to firm the filling.
- Put 2 cups of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring until mostly melted. Stir in the remaining ½ cup of chips until smooth.
- Dip each chilled cookie into the melted chocolate, tapping off excess and returning to the parchment paper.
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature or chill briefly in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Storage: Chocolate-coated cookies stay fresh 1–2 weeks in an airtight container; refrigeration helps extend freshness. If the chocolate thickens, reheat in short intervals. Using natural peanut butter may require more powdered sugar and extra chill time.
Nutrition (approximate per cookie)
Calories: 195 | Carbs: 18 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 13 g