Description
These Caramel Peanut Ritz Cracker Bites are sweet, salty, crunchy no-bake treats made with buttery Ritz crackers, creamy peanut butter, rich homemade caramel, and optional chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Line a baking tray or large plate with parchment paper.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter onto one Ritz cracker and top with another cracker to create a sandwich. Repeat with remaining crackers.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, milk, and salt.
- Stir continuously until the butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth.
- Allow the caramel to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes while stirring until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Remove the caramel from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Using a fork or spoon, dip each peanut butter cracker sandwich into the warm caramel, coating lightly on all sides.
- Place the coated cracker bites onto the prepared parchment paper.
- If desired, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the cracker bites and sprinkle with chopped peanuts if using.
- Allow the bites to cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes or refrigerate until firm.
- Serve once the caramel coating has set.
Notes
- Crunchy peanut butter adds extra texture and crunch.
- Use almond butter or cookie butter for flavor variations.
- Flaky sea salt gives the bites a gourmet sweet-and-salty finish.
- Dark chocolate or white chocolate can replace semi-sweet chocolate.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week for longer freshness.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Allow refrigerated bites to sit at room temperature briefly before serving for softer caramel.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cracker bite
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
