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Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and irresistibly cute snack, then you’re going to adore this Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe. I absolutely love how these little spider snacks come together with minimal fuss and maximum smile-inducing results. Whether you’re prepping for a Halloween party or just want a playful twist for your kid’s lunchbox, you’ll find this recipe is a total winner!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super Cute Presentation: The spider design is so simple but makes a huge impact at parties or lunchboxes.
  • No-Bake and Quick: No oven needed and you can have these adorable snacks ready in about 10 minutes flat.
  • Endless Variations: From sweet to savory, you can customize these sandwiches to suit your taste and dietary needs.
  • Kid-Friendly and Delicious: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re perfect for picky eaters who love fun foods.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe truly comes down to simple, readily available ingredients that work perfectly together to create a fun snack that tastes as good as it looks. I always keep these ingredients in my pantry and fridge for last-minute party prep or quick bites.

  • Round crackers: I reach for buttery Ritz crackers because their slightly salty flavor balances the sweetness perfectly.
  • Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is perfect because it acts as both a flavor partner and an edible glue for our sandwich and spider eyes.
  • Blackberry jam (or jam of choice): The jam adds a lovely, sweet touch—blackberry is my favorite for its rich, tangy flavor, but any berry jam works.
  • Pretzel sticks: These become the spider legs. I like breaking them in half for the right leg length and crunch.
  • Candy eyes: These are what really bring these spiders to life! You can find these in the baking aisle or online.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe is how flexible it is. I encourage you to get creative with fillings and flavors — it’s all about making it your own and finding what your family loves most!

  • Meat & Cheese: When I swapped in ham, cheddar, and a smear of mustard, my family loved the savory twist — it turns these spiders into a hearty snack or party nosh.
  • Peanut Butter & Jam: Classic PB&J works amazingly in mini sandwich form, and it’s an easy grab-and-go option for busy mornings.
  • Cucumber & Cream Cheese: I like this refreshing combo in summer — thinly sliced cucumber with cream cheese adds crunch and coolness.
  • Meatball & Mozzarella: For a grown-up take, try warm marinara, sliced meatballs, and mozzarella — it’s like a tiny pizza spider!
  • Chocolate Marshmallow: Nutella and marshmallow fluff create a sweet spider treat that is perfect for dessert or after-school snacks.

How to Make Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Crackers

Start by laying out all your round crackers on a clean, flat surface. Give the cream cheese a quick stir so it’s soft and spreadable. This helps it go on smoothly and ensures the jam won’t slide off. I prefer to use a small butter knife or a spreader for an even, thin layer on each cracker.

Step 2: Spread Cream Cheese & Jam

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on every cracker followed by a thin layer of jam. I learned that keeping layers thin avoids a soggy sandwich and makes the pretzel legs stick better later on. If you want more jam, just add a tiny bit more, but don’t go too thick.

Step 3: Assemble the Spider Legs

Break pretzel sticks in half and arrange four of these “legs” on each side of a cracker to form eight legs total. I discovered this step is easier if you work on the cracker that already has the creamy, sticky layer because the pretzels adhere well. Don’t forget to press down gently to secure the legs!

Step 4: Complete Your Sandwiches

Carefully place another cracker (also spread with cream cheese and jam) on top to form a sandwich, making sure to sandwich the pretzel legs inside. This keeps the legs intact and makes it easier to handle your spider snacks without losing any legs in the process.

Step 5: Add the Spider Eyes

Place small dots of cream cheese where you want the eyes on the top cracker, then press two candy eyes onto those dots. When I add the cream cheese first as glue, the eyes stay put perfectly and don’t slide off during serving.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

  • Keep Crackers Dry: Make sure no excess moisture from fillings seeps into crackers too early, or they’ll get soggy fast.
  • Pretzel Positioning: Arrange legs on top of the bottom cracker’s spread, then gently press the sandwich top to avoid breaking legs.
  • Use Softened Cream Cheese: It spreads easily and doubles as a sticky base for legs and eyes without adding bulk.
  • Assemble Close to Serving Time: This keeps crackers crisp and eyes from drying out or falling off prematurely.

How to Serve Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

The image shows several small round crackers, each made to look like a spider by placing a pair of edible candy eyes on top. Each cracker sandwich has roughly eight small pretzel sticks inserted around the sides to form spider legs, with their brown, slightly salted texture visible. The crackers are golden-brown with a lightly baked texture and small holes on their surfaces. They are arranged on a white marbled surface with faint ghost shapes in light gray as background decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little powdered sugar or cinnamon on the side plate for a subtle touch, but the real star here is those candy eyes and pretzel legs. If you want to step it up, a small bowl of raspberry jam for dipping complements the blackberry jam beautifully.

Side Dishes

These sandwiches pair well with fresh fruit like apple slices or berries, carrot sticks, or even a small green salad if you want to balance out the snackiness. At Halloween parties, I like serving them alongside a pumpkin soup or warm apple cider to keep the autumn vibe cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve arranged these spiders on a platter lined with kale leaves to look like they’re lurking in a garden—kids get a kick out of that! Another fun idea is to set them on a “web” made from spun sugar or create a spooky scene using additional pretzels as tree branches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), keep the sandwich spiders in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend eating them within 2 days to keep the crackers from going soft and the pretzels crunchy.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing these sandwich spiders because the crackers lose their crunch and the candy eyes don’t thaw well. I suggest making them fresh to enjoy the best texture and appearance.

Reheating

Since these are best served fresh and aren’t baked, reheating isn’t really needed. If you do choose a warm filling variation like meatball & mozzarella, a quick 5-minute warm-up in the oven before adding the pretzel legs works well.

FAQs

  1. Can I make these spiders without candy eyes?

    Absolutely! If you can’t find candy eyes or prefer not to use them, you can create eyes using small dots of cream cheese and tiny chocolate chips or raisins. It’s a fun DIY option that still looks charming.

  2. What’s the best way to keep the pretzel legs from breaking?

    I found the best way is to gently press the pretzel legs onto the cream cheese layer so they stick well before sandwiching the top cracker. Handling the sandwiches carefully when picking up is key to keeping all eight legs intact.

  3. Can I use gluten-free or alternative crackers?

    Yes! Using gluten-free crackers or any round alternative works fine, though you might need to adjust the size or choose sturdy crackers that hold up well to spreading and the weight of the toppings.

  4. How long do these sandwiches stay fresh?

    Because of the crackers, these spider sandwiches are best eaten within 1-2 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The crackers may soften after that, so enjoy them while crisp!

Final Thoughts

I’m telling you, this Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe has become such a staple in my home, especially around spooky season, because it’s playful, easy, and endlessly adaptable. I love how it brings out smiles with almost zero effort, and kids’ eyes light up when they see these little edible spiders ready to be devoured. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy not just making them but watching everyone enjoy every crunchy, sweet, or savory bite!

Print
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Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 91 reviews
  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 spider cracker sandwiches
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Spider-Themed Ritz Cracker Sandwiches are a fun and festive treat perfect for Halloween or any playful gathering. Easy to assemble and kid-friendly, these cracker sandwiches combine creamy layers of cream cheese and jam, crunchy pretzel legs, and cute candy eyes to create an edible spider. With multiple delicious variations offered, you can customize these no-bake sandwiches for every taste preference, making them both a tasty snack and a charming conversation starter.


Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 20 round Ritz crackers
  • 1/3 cup cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup blackberry jam or jam of choice
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks
  • 20 candy eyes


Instructions

  1. Prepare Crackers: Lay out the 20 round crackers on a clean, flat surface for assembly.
  2. Spread Cream Cheese and Jam: Using a butter knife, spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each cracker, then add a layer of blackberry jam or your preferred jam on top.
  3. Break Pretzel Sticks: Break pretzel sticks in half to create shorter pieces that will serve as the spider’s legs.
  4. Assemble Spider Legs: Take one cracker with cream cheese and jam, and place 4 pretzel stick halves on each side to form 8 legs total.
  5. Create Sandwich: Place another cracker with cream cheese and jam spread on top of the pretzel leg cracker, gently pressing to sandwich the legs in between.
  6. Add Candy Eyes: Put a small dot of cream cheese on each candy eye to help them stick, then place them on top of the upper cracker to complete the spider’s face.

Notes

  • Recipe Variations: Try different fillings like ham and cheese with mayo or mustard; peanut butter and jelly; cucumber slices with cream cheese; meatball with marinara and mozzarella; cheese whiz; or Nutella and marshmallow fluff for creative twists.
  • These sandwiches are no-bake but can be warmed briefly in the oven for a golden brown finish.
  • Add melted butter, seasonings, poppy seeds, onion flakes, salt, and pepper on top for extra flavor and texture.
  • Serving Tips: Perfect for Halloween parties, school treats, or fun lunchbox alternatives.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for best freshness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 spider cracker sandwich
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

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