Description
These Ham and Swiss Cracker Melts are a quick, easy, and delicious appetizer or snack. Salty Ritz crackers are layered with deli ham and Swiss cheese, then topped with a savory butter mixture and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Ingredients
- 48 Ritz crackers (or similar buttery crackers)
- 8 slices deli ham
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion (or onion flakes)
Instructions
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Arrange Bottom Crackers: Arrange half of the Ritz crackers (24 crackers) in a single layer, flat side down, in a 9×13-inch baking dish. No greasing is necessary.
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Prepare Ham: Tear or roughly chop the deli ham slices into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
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Prepare Cheese: Cut the Swiss cheese slices into smaller squares or pieces (approximately 1-inch squares) that will fit on top of the crackers.
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Assemble Melts:
- Place a portion of the torn/chopped ham on top of each cracker in the baking dish.
- Top the ham with a piece of Swiss cheese.
- Place another Ritz cracker on top of the cheese, rounded side up, to form mini sandwiches.
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Make Butter Topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Whisk until well combined.
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Pour Topping: Pour the butter mixture evenly over the assembled cracker sandwiches, making sure to distribute it as evenly as possible.
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Sprinkle Toppings: Sprinkle the poppy seeds and dried minced onion evenly over the tops of the cracker sandwiches.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the cracker tops are lightly golden brown.
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Serve: Serve the cracker melts warm.
Notes
- Ritz Crackers: Use regular Ritz crackers or a similar buttery cracker.
- Ham: You can use any type of deli ham you prefer, such as honey ham, black forest ham, or smoked ham.
- Cheese: Swiss cheese is traditional, but you can substitute other cheeses, such as cheddar, provolone, or Monterey Jack.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the cracker melts ahead of time and store them, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Serving Suggestions: These cracker melts are great for appetizers, snacks, or a light meal.
- Storage