Mondelez launches Ritz Hot Honey crackers, expanding spicy flavour portfolio

USA – Mondelez International, Inc. has launched a new flavor in its Ritz cracker brand called Hot Honey.

The new flavor features a flaky texture with a sweet and spicy hot honey taste, combining buttery richness with a hint of heat. Ritz Hot Honey crackers are available in 13.7-ounce boxes at major food retailers across the United States.

“We’re always looking for new ways to surprise and delight our fans, and Hot Honey delivers a flavor combination that’s both bold and delicious. The sweet heat profile brings a unique twist to our classic cracker, and we can’t wait for people to try it,” said Steven Saenen, Vice President of Marketing for Ritz.

Recently, Mondelez has been adding new sweet and spicy flavors, referred to as ‘swicy,’ to its product lineup. According to Daymon’s March 2024 flavor study, there is a growing consumer demand for spiciness in foods and drinks year-round, not just during summer.

The study noted that 30% of shoppers are open to trying new types of spice, with younger consumers leading the demand—61% of Gen Z and 55% of Millennials reported regularly enjoying spicy foods.

In fact, 53% of surveyed Gen Z shoppers expressed a preference for ‘swicy’ flavors, indicating a built-in market.

Ritz Crackers has been a beloved brand from Mondelez since its launch in 1934, showcasing the company’s rich history. 

The launch of Hot Honey Crackers follows the introduction of other spicy Ritz flavors last year, including Ritz Bits Spicy Queso in December 2024 and Ritz Toasted Chips Sweet Habanero in March 2024. 

At that time, Mondelez reported that the Spicy Queso flavor features a savory, flavorful taste that is perfect for snacking at parties, on the go, or simply relaxing at home.

It was described as having a rich, creamy cheese base with a kick at the end. It’s not excessively spicy but offers enough heat to suggest keeping a glass of milk handy.

The new entrant to the Ritz lineup comes at a time when the brand recently got a food recall. In February, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a national recall for Christie Original Mini Ritz Crackers due to undeclared milk, posing a potential health risk to individuals with dairy allergies.

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