The 4-Ingredient Appetizer I’m Making for the Holidays This Year

They taste like a million bucks.

I’m always on the hunt for interesting snacks. I especially love snacks that can be used in a variety of settings, like after school or as a game day appetizer. These millionaire crackers fit the bill perfectly. They’re easy enough for any time but feel special enough for a party. I can eat half a pan of them by myself (I know, they’re meant to be shared).

A little sweet and deliciously savory, these little cracker bites will have guests coming back for more. And you just need a few ingredients to make them.

Choosing the Crackers and Bacon

Any buttery cracker works well for this recipe. I suggest avoiding Saltine-style crackers. I like Club Crackers, which are rectangular and easy to top with bacon, but you could also use round buttery crackers like Ritz.

I did my best to develop this recipe so it uses a whole sleeve of Club Crackers—I hate being left with a half-full sleeve. That said, the method is straightforward if you find yourself with a few extra strips of bacon or extra crackers.

The most important thing to note when choosing bacon for this recipe is to make sure you buy classic-cut bacon that isn’t thick-cut. If you use thick-cut bacon, it will never crisp up in time before your crackers burn. 

Quick Tips for Making Millionaire Crackers

• I roughly estimated 1/2 teaspoon of cream cheese per cracker, but you don’t actually need to measure it. You just want a very thin smear of cream cheese so the bacon will stick to the cracker. 
• I like to use kitchen shears to cut cleanly through the bacon pack and the slices all at once. That will make all the pieces roughly equal and is easier than slicing each individually. 
• If a cracker breaks in half, that’s okay! Smear with cream cheese and use the bacon to hold the pieces together. If the cracker crumbles into 3 to 4 pieces, then try again with a new cracker. 
• Use a gentle sprinkle of brown sugar on the top of each cracker. I estimated about 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar per cracker; be careful not to use too much. 
• If you want a spicy kick to these snacks, you can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to each cracker before baking.

How To Make My Millionaire Crackers

For about 38 crackers, you’ll need:

• 1 sleeve Club (or similar) crackers, about 38 crackers
• 2 ounces cream cheese or Boursin cheese, room temperature
• 8 strips bacon (not thick-cut), cut into fifths
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste, optional

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lay the crackers out in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Smear each cracker with a small amount of cream cheese (about 1/2 teaspoon). Top each cracker with a small piece of bacon, pressing lightly to adhere against the cream cheese. Sprinkle with brown sugar and top with red pepper flakes (optional).

Bake the crackers until they are golden brown and the bacon is crooked, 12 to 18 minutes. Let cool slightly; the bacon will continue to crisp as it cools.

Store leftover crackers in the fridge for a few days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warm.