Nabisco, Nabisco Ritz Crackers
Whole food · Baked Products
Photo: Wikipedia
The iconic Ritz cracker is a thin, round, golden-brown wafer with a distinctive scalloped edge and a rich, buttery flavor. Its texture is uniquely crisp yet light, designed to shatter pleasantly with each bite. Nutritionally, it is a calorie-dense, refined carbohydrate source, providing quick energy but minimal fiber.
💚 Why it's loved
People adore Ritz for its perfect balance of salt and buttery flavor, which makes it an irresistible standalone snack or a versatile vehicle for dips, cheeses, and spreads. It holds a strong place in American food culture as a staple at parties, holiday gatherings, and in quick, comforting meals.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
As a refined, low-fiber carbohydrate with added sugars, it can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, making it less suitable for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To counteract this, pair it with protein or healthy fats like peanut butter, cheese, or hummus to slow digestion. Be mindful of portion control, as its palatability can lead to overconsumption.
Key benefits
- Provides quick, convenient energy from carbohydrates
- Offers a neutral, savory base for a wide variety of toppings
- Shelf-stable and portable for on-the-go snacking
- A classic, familiar taste that evokes nostalgia
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The name 'Ritz' was chosen during the Great Depression to evoke a sense of affordable luxury, playing on the famous Ritz-Carlton hotels.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 3.1 g |
| Energy | 492 kcal |
| Energy | 2058 kj |
| Protein | 7.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 23.2 g |
| Ash | 2.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 63.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.1 g |
| Sucrose | 6.3 g |
| Glucose | 0.64 g |
| Fructose | 0.59 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.58 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 51.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 154 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 4.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 273 mg |
| Potassium, K | 119 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 882 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.61 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.12 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.54 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.6 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.44 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.27 mg |
| Niacin | 4.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.37 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate, total | 72.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 55.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 17.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 111 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 3.5 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.30 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 14.1 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 4.1 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 50.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 1.5 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.0 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.3 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.2 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 5.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 10.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 9.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 9.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 1.2 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 1.1 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.98 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.98 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.07 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.07 g |
FAQ
Are Ritz crackers gluten-free?
No, standard Ritz crackers are made with enriched wheat flour and contain gluten. Nabisco does offer a separate gluten-free version.
What makes Ritz crackers taste so buttery?
The distinctive flavor comes from the combination of added oils (like soybean and palm oil), salt, and specific flavorings, though they contain no actual butter.
Can I use Ritz crackers for a pie crust?
Yes, crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter are a classic, savory-sweet base for cheesecake or cream pies, adding a rich, salty contrast to the filling.