Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites Recipe

If you love churros but crave a salty-sweet shortcut that’s ready in minutes, you absolutely have to try Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites! Golden, buttery Ritz Bits are tossed in a wonderfully gooey cinnamon-sugar coating, then baked until crisp and irresistible — they’re the perfect easy treat for when your sweet tooth strikes.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

I love how you only need a handful of ingredients to whip up Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites, and each one truly adds something important — salty crunch, caramel sweetness, rich butteriness, and of course, plenty of cinnamon-sugar sparkle!

• Peanut Butter Ritz Bits Cracker Sandwiches: These mini sandwiches are the salty, crunchy backbone and give each bite a nutty finish — perfect for holding all that gooey goodness.
• Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Melts to create a rich, savory bath that clings to every Ritz cracker, enhancing their flavor.
• Light Brown Sugar (plus extra): Adds a golden, caramel-like sweetness that melts into the butter to coat the crackers beautifully.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor, making each bite a little richer and more aromatic.
• Ground Cinnamon: The essential churro sparkle — both in the gooey coating and sprinkled over the top for two layers of warmth.
• Granulated Sugar: Sprinkled on at the end, it delivers that classic, crispy churro finish.

Variations

These Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites are wildly adaptable — perfect for using what you have on hand or putting your own flavor spin on things. Tweak the mix-ins, make it gluten-free, or amp up the spice to wow everyone at your table!

• Nutty Swap: Try using Ritz Cheese or even plain Ritz crackers for a different filling, or swap in pretzel sandwiches for extra crunch.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan butter to make these bites totally dairy-free, while still keeping all that luscious flavor.
• Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cayenne to the cinnamon sugar for a little extra zing.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a decadent churro-meets-candy twist.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ritz Bits

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil — this makes cleanup a breeze and keeps every sticky drop of the buttery coating where it belongs. Spread the peanut butter Ritz Bits out in a single layer, so they’re ready to be transformed into churro magic.

Step 2: Make the Gooey Cinnamon-Butter Coating

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, both amounts of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and vanilla. Bring it gently to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring often, until everything has melted into a smooth, sweet, slightly caramel-y mixture — about 1 to 1½ minutes is perfect!

Step 3: Coat and Bake

Carefully spoon the buttery mixture all over your Ritz Bits, then use tongs or a silicone spatula to gently toss and coat them — take your time so every cracker gets bathed in sweetness. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. The kitchen will start to smell like a state fair churro stand!

Step 4: Cinnamon Sugar Finish

While the crackers bake, stir together granulated sugar and the final hit of cinnamon in a small bowl. When your churro bites come out of the oven, immediately sprinkle on this sweet mix. Let everything cool completely — the coating will set, and you can then break the crackers into irresistible, snackable clusters.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites

Garnishes

Dust your churro bites with a final flurry of cinnamon sugar right before serving for extra sparkle, or add a little drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate if you want them to look bakery-fancy. Even a few colorful sprinkles on top will make them festive for parties or holidays.

Side Dishes

Serve these sweet-and-salty treats alongside a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, or with fresh fruit like sliced apples or strawberries for a snack platter. For movie night, they’re outrageously good paired with salty popcorn!

Creative Ways to Present

Try piling Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites into a paper cone for a street-fair vibe, or arrange them in small glass jars as edible gifts. For parties, serve in mini cupcake liners or on a pretty wooden board with other finger foods and candies.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover churro bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay crisp and irresistible, so they’re great for snacking all week long (if you can resist eating them all at once!).

Freezing

Good news — Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites freeze like a dream! Spread the cooled bites on a tray to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. Defrost at room temp before serving for easy, make-ahead munching.

Reheating

While they’re delicious at room temperature, you can re-crisp churro bites by popping them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Let them cool slightly so the coating sets back up into that signature, sweet crunch.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you get as much joy out of making and sharing these Cinnamon Sugar Ritz Churro Bites as I do. With just a few kitchen staples and a little cinnamon-sugar magic, you can treat yourself and your loved ones to a playful twist on one of the world’s most beloved snacks — so don’t wait, give them a try soon!

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