These olive-herb cream cheese crackers make a quick, fun Halloween snack. Crisp crackers hold a creamy spread and black olive spiders. You need just three ingredients and no cooking.
For a sweet treat to go with them, add Halloween swirl cream cheese brownies to your party table.
Why Make This Recipe
- You need only three ingredients.
- You do not need an oven.
- You can make a few crackers or a whole tray.
- The olive spiders add a simple Halloween touch.
- The creamy spread, salty olives, and crisp crackers taste great together.
How to Make Minute Halloween Appetizers: Olive-Herb Cream Cheese Crackers
Set out your crackers, herb spread, and drained black olives. Use a small knife to spread the cream cheese and cut the olives. Build the crackers just before serving so they stay crisp.
Ingredients
- Crisp crackers
- Creamy herb spread, such as herb cream cheese
- Black olives, pitted
Use enough spread to cover each cracker with a thick layer. Allow one or two olives per cracker, depending on their size.
Directions
- Spread a thick layer of creamy herb spread on each crisp cracker.
- Slice the black olives. Use an olive half for each spider’s body, then cut thin olive strips for the legs. Arrange four legs on each side of the body.
- Serve immediately as a quick and festive appetizer.
How to Serve Minute Halloween Appetizers: Olive-Herb Cream Cheese Crackers
Arrange the crackers in a single layer on a serving plate. Leave a little space between them so guests can pick them up without moving the olive legs.
Serve them with vegetable sticks or other small party snacks. Make small batches and refill the plate as needed to keep the crackers crisp.
How to Store Minute Halloween Appetizers: Olive-Herb Cream Cheese Crackers
For the best texture, store the parts separately. Keep the crackers in a sealed container at room temperature. Refrigerate the herb spread and opened olives according to their package directions.
If you have assembled crackers left over, place them in a covered container in the fridge and eat them within one day. The crackers will soften as they sit.
Do not leave cream cheese crackers at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
Tips to Make Minute Halloween Appetizers: Olive-Herb Cream Cheese Crackers
- Choose wide, sturdy crackers with room for the spiders.
- Drain the olives and pat them dry so they do not make the spread wet.
- Let firm cream cheese soften briefly so it spreads without breaking the crackers.
- Cut thin olive strips for neat spider legs.
- Gently press the olive pieces into the spread to help them stay in place.
- Prepare the olive pieces ahead, then assemble the crackers before serving.
Variation
Use plain cream cheese mixed with chopped chives or dill instead of a ready-made herb spread.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free crackers and check the spread label. For a dairy-free option, choose a dairy-free herb spread.
FAQs
Can I make these crackers ahead of time?
You can cut the olives and prepare the spread ahead of time. Keep them covered in the fridge, then assemble the crackers just before serving.
Which crackers work best?
Use firm, flat crackers that can hold a thick layer of spread. Avoid very thin crackers, which may break as you spread the cream cheese.
Can I use plain cream cheese?
Yes. Use it plain or mix in a little chopped dill, parsley, or chives for an herb flavor.
How do I make the olives look like spiders?
Place an olive half in the center of the cracker for the body. Add eight thin olive strips, with four on each side, for the legs.
Conclusion
These olive-herb cream cheese crackers bring a fun Halloween look to the table with very little work. Prepare the olive pieces ahead and assemble the crackers at serving time for the best crunch. If you want another creamy option for your snack table, try Host The Toast’s five-minute whipped ricotta.