The very first time I made these Ritz Churro Bites, my kitchen smelled like a cinnamon-sugar carnival booth, and it instantly transported me back to childhood fairs and warm paper bags filled with freshly fried churros. Except this time, the magic came from a baking sheet and a box of Ritz Bits instead of a deep fryer. When I pulled the tray from the oven and tossed the warm crackers in buttery cinnamon sugar, I couldn’t stop nibbling on them—sweet, salty, warm, and absolutely addictive. That moment is exactly why I love this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it gives you that classic churro flavor—sweet cinnamon sugar wrapped around a warm, buttery bite—without frying, fuss, or hours in the kitchen. The crunch is unbelievable, the buttery coating clings perfectly to each little cracker, and the combination of peanut butter and cinnamon sugar is honestly way better than it has any right to be. Once you try these, you’ll understand why I can never make just one batch.
Ingredients
8.8 oz peanut butter Ritz Bits
½ cup salted sweet cream butter
⅓ cup + 2 tbsp light brown sugar
¾ tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp granulated sugar
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
Every ingredient matters here more than you’d think. I’ve tried cheaper off-brand sandwich crackers, but they don’t hold up as well as the real Ritz Bits—they tend to break or get soggy. Salted butter is best because the salt enhances the churro flavor in a way unsalted butter just can’t match. And while light brown sugar is traditional, I’ve also made this with dark brown sugar for a slightly deeper caramel flavor. The cinnamon amounts might seem high, but trust me—churro flavor only happens when you commit to cinnamon.
Equipment Needed
Large baking sheet
Parchment paper
Medium saucepan
Large mixing bowl
Spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
You don’t need fancy equipment to make Ritz Churro Bites, and that’s one of the reasons I adore this recipe. The parchment paper makes cleanup ridiculously easy and prevents any sticking as the sugary butter mixture cools. A saucepan with a heavy bottom is helpful because it melts butter evenly without burning. A large mixing bowl is essential for tossing the crackers—don’t try to do this in a pot or a small bowl or you’ll end up with cinnamon sugar everywhere except on the crackers. And a sturdy spatula makes stirring the warm, buttery mixture so much easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions
I always start by preheating my oven because this recipe moves quickly once the butter mixture is hot. Then I line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the Ritz Bits in an even layer so they’re ready to go. The smell of peanut butter crackers alone is enough to get me excited about what’s coming next. It’s funny how such a simple pantry snack becomes something unbelievably delicious with just a little extra love.
Next, I melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, watching it carefully—this isn’t the time to walk away. Once the butter melts, I stir in the brown sugar and keep mixing until it fully dissolves and begins to bubble softly. That bubbling stage is important because it helps the mixture cling beautifully to each cracker. After removing it from the heat, I stir in the vanilla and cinnamon, and the moment the cinnamon hits the warm butter, the smell fills the kitchen like a cozy hug.
With everything warm and ready, I pour the buttery cinnamon mixture over the Ritz Bits in the mixing bowl. This is the part where you need to work quickly but gently. I fold the crackers with a spatula, making sure each one gets a glossy coating. They’ll look shiny and smell heavenly. Then I transfer them onto the lined baking sheet, spreading them out so they bake evenly.(See the next page below to continue…)