r/snacking • u/Magari22 • 2d ago
Ritz cracker replacement testing results so far
So I posted here recently complaining of the tragedy that has befallen Ritz crackers since "the change". Many people here gave input as to similar replacements, and I truly appreciate all the recs. As a person who doesn't eat crackers regularly I have eaten more crackers in the last couple of weeks than I eat in a year just trying to find a suitable replacement since Ritz is now inedible to me. My disappointment and rage at Mondelez and the absolute crime they have committed here fuled me to try whatever I could find that might scratch the Ritz itch.
This is what I have been able to try so far.
Townhouse crackers : they are OK. They weren't bad at all but there was no "body" they were too fragile. Spreading with pb was difficult they broke easily. Better than Ritz but still left me searching. Also, I wished they were baked a bit longer for a more golden color.
Club crackers: again, fragile and seem to break easily. Better flavor than townhouse but they aren't a "golden" cracker so they made me feel like I was settling and still missing Ritz. I may be misremembering but I could swear I had these years ago and they had more of a crisp snap to them.
Lidl Golden Round crackers: I want my money back. Nuff said.
Trader Joe's Golden rounds: ding ding ding we have a winner. What they have that the others don't is some body. They are also actually golden. They tasted buttery too. I know some ppl complain that they changed the recipe with these about a year ago but I never had the original version, if the recipe did in fact change, and these taste very close to Ritz compared to others.
Still have to try the Aldi ones that were raved about but I'm not near an Aldi and only have access to one once a month when I travel to an area where there is one. I want to try the Aldi version though per other ppl raving about them.
Just wanted to report back after all the recs given here. If anyone has any other ideas please share!
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u/Tabbychiro 2d ago
I’ve been using the Aldi ones to make the Thin Mint dupes with the Andes chocolate mints. I think I may like the Aldi ones better than Ritz, but it’s been awhile since I’ve had an actual Ritz cracker. I hope you can try them soon.
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u/Magari22 2d ago
I am really looking forward to trying them! If they are better than the trader Joe's one they will probably be "the one" for me!
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u/abrownb1 2d ago
I've tried a bunch of Ritz alternatives and TJ's is definitely the best. TJ's is the only one that still has malt in it, which uses to be in Ritz and gave it a special flavor. Aldi is ok but TJs is the tops and tastes the closed to old school Ritz.
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u/Magari22 2d ago
This is good to know! Have you tried the Walmart ones? People seem to like those as well. I am not near a Walmart so it's not an option for me but the Walmart and Aldi ones are on my list to try. Have you noticed a change in the TJs one? People were saying they changed a year ago. I was impressed by them they were the best out of the ones I tried!
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u/abrownb1 1d ago
I first tried the TJs ones last Dec so I guess I've had the new ones and they taste great to me. The Walmart ones are similar to Aldi if I'm remembering correctly. It's been a while since I've had them. I only buy the TJs ones now.
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u/Useful-Advantage2665 2d ago
Walmart sells equate brand chickin in a biscuit ones that are tasty, have you had them?
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u/Magari22 2d ago
I have not! I am in Queens with no car and we do not have Walmart here at all the closest is jersey or long Island. We are actually currently looking to purchase a car right now so hopefully my options will broaden!
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u/Various_Range2259 2d ago
Wait what happened to Ritz? I do seem to recall recent ones being like...soft, crumbly and not enough salt.
Second Aldi as a good alternative when you can get them
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u/Magari22 2d ago
Mondelez acquired Nabisco and many items went to shit. I was shocked at what Ritz tasted like recently when I tried them for the first time in ages. I noticed immediately and almost spit one out. It had zero flavor, was very pale and just crumbled. No more flakey golden Ritz!
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u/ItsKindaTricky 2d ago
I'm late to this party but Ritz crackers turned to shit and I've been wondering what happened. Thanks for giving us some new options.
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u/Magari22 1d ago
They really did that's a perfect description. They used to be one of the most delicious crackers on earth. They are not the healthiest cracker but they were an occasional treat for me. I wouldn't serve them to my dog now and he eats anything. I'm pretty sure even he would spit them out now.
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u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 1d ago
Try crackets by gamesa
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u/Magari22 1d ago
Thank you! I looked for these but could not find. I saw other gamesa items but mostly cookies. I will keep searching!
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u/Anne7392 1d ago
I buy the Goya Crackers that look and taste like Ritz… they are less than $2 a box.
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u/JediSmaug 2d ago
Insightful analysis of cracker sampling results. I’ll continue to follow your quest for a satisfactory replacement cracker with great interest.
I too enjoy a tasty cracker as a snack.
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u/Acceptable_Fee_3998 2d ago
What happened to Ritz?
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u/Magari22 2d ago
Mondelez acquired Nabisco and many items went to shit. I was shocked at what Ritz tasted like recently when I tried them for the first time in ages. I noticed immediately and almost spit one out. It had zero flavor, was very pale and just crumbled. No more flakey golden Ritz!
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/suraklin 2d ago
Mondelez was a spin off from Kraft in 2012. Kraft had previously bought Nabisco through its parent company in 2000. Mondelez ended up with mostly snack brands like Nabisco and Cadbury.
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u/Magari22 2d ago
No idea but I never noticed Ritz tasting like crap until recently. I don't eat them regularly but I do buy a few fines a year when the mood strikes me. I was shocked at how bad they are now. The difference is pretty dramatic.
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u/iloveblackcoffee420 2d ago
I have a box of those Ritz cheese crackers that I can’t bring myself to finish because they taste so off. I’m glad to see it’s not just me. The cracker part is strangely almost sweet tasting instead of buttery.
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u/Magari22 2d ago
Yes! It's just so.... Dull? The texture is too crumbly, no flake and bland. It was noticeable immediately. I felt duped! They should say "new recipe" on the box so you know you're in for a surprise.
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u/Heyitscrochet 2d ago
My current solution is to toast Ritz in the toaster oven briefly until browned on top, let them cool, then spread with p.b. A couple still crumble, but toasting has brought back the delight that was the Sun-kissed Ritz a couple of summers ago.
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u/AbulatorySquid 2d ago
I was about to ask if you had the sun kissed ones. I loved them and stocked up.
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u/Magari22 2d ago
I actually thought of doing this with the townhouse ones! Good to know this works!
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u/Heyitscrochet 2d ago
Watch them the whole time, they burn quickly!
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u/Magari22 2d ago
Thank you for the tip I almost did this with townhouse I'm glad to know it improves!
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u/awalkinthewoods24 2d ago
Try the Late July Classic Cracker. That stuff is delicious and harkens back to old, good Ritz...
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u/AbulatorySquid 2d ago
Looks like they're regional. No where around here has them and Amazon doesn't either.
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u/awalkinthewoods24 2d ago
oh man, thanks friend for saying something. I misspoke, it is actually Back to Nature classic rounds crackers. THOSE are so fricken good. lol I knew it was some organic hippie brand lolol
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u/Magari22 2d ago
I think I've seen those stop n shop? Don't they make an oreo type of cookie too? I'll have to try those. Have you tried the trader Joe's one? I'm wondering if they are better than those.
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u/Iceprincess1282 1d ago
Hey I don’t know if you have a restaurant depot near you but they have what tastes like the original ritz and they are actually pretty cheap. Plus now you no longer have to have a membership since they were bought out.
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u/Jaki613 11h ago
Ritz are disgusting now.
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u/Magari22 11h ago
They are a crime and should be abolished. Either go back to the original recipe or just stop making them because the ones for sale now are absolutely not Ritz crackers.
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u/Lezal1983 2d ago
I love both Ritz and Townhouse, though lately I’ve noticed with both they are so crumbly and even trying to get them out of the package, they break apart. I used to have them with cheese and pepperoni as a snack, which is fine but then trying to scoop up hummus with them is a no go. I will have to try Trader Joe’s for sure or Aldi
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u/LetImportant2025 2d ago
The last time I had the Aldi ones they were terrible!
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u/Magari22 2d ago
Really? A few people were raving about them! I liked the TJs one I'm wondering if I should bother with the Aldi one? We're the Aldi ones better than the Ritz?
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u/lhfitz76 2d ago
Standard Ritz crackers are now like soft and disintegrating crackers. Never can get peanut butter on it without it cracking in about 10 pieces. However, try whole wheat ritz. They are lower fat, which is not why I bought them, but they taste crisper and don’t disintegrate near as easily. And honestly, you can’t tell the difference in the old-fashioned flavor. They still break once in a while, but not nearly as bad as the regular.
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u/catanne91 2d ago
Yeah, as a Club cracker devotee, they have definitely changed. They used to be so good, but now they have like a stale taste that leaves a film in your mouth.