These homemade gluten-free Ritz crackers are buttery, salty, and perfectly flaky—just like the originals! I love how this copycat recipe takes one of my favorite snacks and turns it into a delicious, gluten-free treat. Using a simple blend of gluten-free flour and other pantry staples, you can easily recreate this classic cracker at home, too! My recipe is easy to follow, and the results are absolutely delicious.

Gluten-Free Ritz Crackers Recipe

Ingredients

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Use your favorite brand of all-purpose gluten-free flour. I recommend using a blend with xanthan gum already added, but if your blend doesn’t contain it, I’ve provided a measurement below for adding it to the recipe.
• Xanthan Gum: Helps to bind the ingredients together and create a pliable dough. Omit it if your gluten-free flour blend already includes xanthan gum.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds that rich, buttery flavor and flaky texture to the crackers. I use unsalted butter, but you can use salted if that’s what you have. You’ll want to reduce the added salt in the recipe if using salted butter.
• Salt: A must for that classic Ritz cracker taste!
• Sugar: Just a little to balance out the salt and add a touch of sweetness.
• Cold Water: Helps bring the dough together for rolling and cutting. Make sure the water is ice cold so it doesn’t soften the butter.
• Baking Powder: Gives the crackers a little lift as they bake.

Tips and Suggestions

• To make crisp crackers, be careful not to overbake them! Otherwise, they can become dry and brittle. Only bake until lightly golden brown and crisp. I also let mine cool on the baking sheet before moving to ensure maximum crispness.
• Make sure your butter is cold so it can be cut into the flour mixture. This creates a flaky texture in the final crackers.
• Don’t skip the chilling time! Chill the dough for at least 45 minutes before rolling out.
• You can use any type of cookie cutter or a knife to cut out your cracker shapes. I’ve used a 2-inch scalloped round shape, but feel free to get creative with different shapes and designs!
• To get a head start on making these crackers, you can make the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before rolling and baking.
• Be sure to space your gluten-free Ritz crackers out on the baking sheet so they can expand and bake evenly. You’ll likely need to bake them in batches, depending on the size of your baking sheet.

Are Ritz Crackers Gluten-Free?

No, Ritz crackers aren’t gluten-free. They’re made with wheat flour, which contains gluten, and there aren’t currently any Ritz-branded gluten-free crackers on the market. However, there are similar options from other brands, like Lance Gluten-Free Original crackers. But I personally enjoy making gluten-free Ritz crackers at home so I can control the ingredients and save a little money in the process!

Can I Add Additional Flavors or Herbs?

Of course! You can experiment with different flavors by adding herbs, spices, or seasonings to the dough before rolling it out. Try adding grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, or your favorite herb blend.

Serving Suggestions

The classic cheese and cracker combination just can’t be beaten, but there are many ways to enjoy these homemade gluten-free Ritz crackers (aside from snacking on them as-is, of course). Here are a few ideas:

• Top with your favorite spread, like hummus or smashed avocado.
• Crush them up to use as a substitute for gluten-free breadcrumbs in recipes like gluten-free stuffed mushrooms.
• Make a mini ‘sandwich’ with two crackers and your choice of gluten-free filling, like sliced deli meat and cheese or peanut butter and jelly.
• Use them as croutons on top of a salad or gluten-free tomato soup.
• Dipped into crack corn dip, hot spinach dip, or baked buffalo chicken dip!

Storage Instructions

Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They may lose their crispness over time, so it’s best to enjoy them within a few days. You can also freeze the baked crackers in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

More Gluten-Free Snacks to Try!

• Gluten-Free Graham Crackers
• Gluten-Free Soft Pretzels
• Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks
• Pandebono (Columbian Cheese Bread)
• Gluten-Free Granola Bars

How to Make Gluten-Free Ritz Crackers Step-by-Step

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (if using), 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Add 5 tablespoons cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Pour in ⅓ cup ice cold water and use a fork to gently mix the dough until it comes together into a shaggy ball. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 1 minute until smooth.

Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 45-60 minutes in the fridge.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick.

Using a sharp knife or cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds, squares or rectangles, about 2 inches in size.

Transfer the cut crackers to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Prick the top of each cracker with a fork to create a decorative pattern.

Bake the crackers for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown and crisp. Remove the crackers from the oven, (optional) brush with 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and sprinkle with salt if desired, and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. Serve and enjoy.