Ritz Adding a 'Bold Twist' With First New Cracker Sandwich Flavor in 10 Years

Ritz is unveiling the first new flavor of its mini Bits crackers in nearly a decade, and foodies “can’t wait” to get their hands on them.

The variety with a fiery kick, Ritz Bits Spicy Queso, started making its way around social media in late November, with some food blogs catching wind of the news and sharing it with their followers.

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The crackers reportedly have a “savory, flavorful taste” according to intel Food & Wine received.

“With Spicy Queso, we’re answering consumers’ demands for exciting, bold flavors and turning up the heat on the Ritz Bits you know and love,” said Steven Saenen, Ritz’s vice president of marketing, per the food magazine. “It’s a bold twist on your childhood favorite, with a kick in each mini bite.”

As for purchasing options, the Spicy Queso flavor will be available in snack-sized, 3-ounce bags at convenience store locations across the U.S. starting this month, with larger, 8.8-ounce boxes slated to hit grocery stores in February 2025, the outlet added.

Snack blogger Markie Devo noted in a social media announcement that the bagged treats were already “heading to stores” on Nov. 29, so they may have begun to pop up on retailers’ and convenience chains’ shelves by now.

“Oh snap I gotta have these. I love ritz bits,” one comment under the post read, as an Instagram user admitted, “You cannot possibly see the smile growing on my face when I saw this post. Wow! Spicy queso ritz? F yes!!!!!!”

Meanwhile, on a separate social media upload, another person wrote in anticipation, “I can’t wait.”

On the other hand, some weren’t as enthusiastic about the drop, like one who loathed the concept, writing, “I love rip [sic] bits but can’t do the spicy thing. Would love it if they did a bacon cheese combo. Or pretzel flip variety.”

Spicy Queso Ritz Bits aside, the cracker company also released two new Ritz Toasted Chips flavor profiles—Sweet Habañero and Honey BBQ—in early 2024.

In other exciting news for the brand, Ritz is set to make its Super Bowl debut this year with its first 30-second commercial during the big game, alongside a corresponding social media campaign going live across various platforms.

Next: Reese’s Debuts New Candy That Fans Say Can’t Come ‘Soon Enough’