3-Ingredient Crispy Parmesan Pennies

These 3-ingredient crispy Parmesan pennies are an easy baked snack that turns buttery crackers, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese into a crunchy, savory treat. They take just minutes to prepare and bake, making them perfect for game day parties, tailgates, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or a quick afternoon snack.

Each cracker develops crisp golden edges with a rich buttery flavor and a delicious layer of toasted Parmesan. Serve them warm or let them cool completely for an extra-crispy bite. Pair them with ranch dressing, spicy mustard, pimento cheese, or your favorite party dip.

Why You’ll Love These Crispy Parmesan Pennies

• Only 3 ingredients: You need just crackers, butter, and Parmesan cheese.
• Quick and easy: Preparation takes only a few minutes.
• Perfect party appetizer: An inexpensive snack for tailgates, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
• Crispy and cheesy: Golden Parmesan adds plenty of savory flavor and crunch.
• Make-ahead friendly: Bake them several hours before serving and let them cool completely.
• Easy to customize: Add herbs, spices, or a little heat to change the flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, such as Ritz
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

How to Make Crispy Parmesan Pennies

1. Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
2. Arrange the crackers: Place the buttery crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Add the butter: Drizzle or lightly brush the melted butter over the crackers, making sure each one gets a little butter.
4. Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan evenly over the buttered crackers.
5. Bake: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crackers are crisp and the Parmesan is melted and lightly golden around the edges.
6. Cool and serve: Allow the Parmesan pennies to cool for several minutes. As they cool, the cheese will firm up and the crackers will become even crispier.

Tips for the Best Parmesan Pennies

Use freshly grated Parmesan: Fresh Parmesan tends to melt and brown beautifully, giving the crackers a crisp, lacy cheese coating.

Watch them closely: Because crackers are thin, they can go from golden to overly browned quickly. Start checking around the 8-minute mark.

Add some heat: For a spicy version, sprinkle the crackers with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes before baking.

Try different crackers: Club crackers or small saltine crackers can also work. Adjust the baking time if using thinner crackers.

Make a double batch: These crispy cheese crackers are ideal for large gatherings because they are easy to prepare in two batches and can be served at room temperature.

Keep them crisp: Let the crackers cool completely before storing them. Keep them loosely covered at room temperature to help maintain their crunch.

Serving Ideas

Serve these crispy Parmesan crackers as an easy appetizer or snack alongside:

• Ranch dip
• Spicy mustard
• Pimento cheese
• Creamy vegetable dip
• Deviled eggs
• Chicken wings
• Sliders
• Fresh vegetables
• Sweet tea or lemonade

Recipe Benefits

These Parmesan pennies are especially useful when you need a quick party snack with minimal ingredients. They require very little preparation, use common pantry staples, and can be prepared ahead of time. Their small size also makes them easy to serve on appetizer trays without needing utensils.