Mama sets these out on the porch every summer and we devour the whole plate before dinner even starts. Takes just 3 ingredients for the ultimate afternoon snack.

 

These southern 3-ingredient fresh tomato bites are the kind of simple snack that disappears almost as fast as you can make them. They’re especially perfect in summer when tomatoes are sweet, juicy, and practically begging to be shown off with something creamy and something crisp. This is one of those porch-snacking recipes that feels nostalgic and effortless at the same time, with just enough Southern charm to make a plate of crackers and tomatoes feel special.

Serve these as an afternoon  snack, a light appetizer before a cookout, or alongside iced tea, lemonade, or a cold glass of sweet tea on a hot day. They also fit right in on a party spread with pimento  cheese, deviled eggs, fresh fruit, and a simple veggie tray, and they pair especially well with grilled chicken or burgers if you want to set them out before dinner.

Food & Drink

Southern 3-Ingredient Fresh Tomato Bites

Servings: 6

Southern 3-ingredient fresh tomato bites plated and ready to serve
Southern 3-ingredient fresh tomato bites plated and ready to serve
Ingredients

24 buttery round  crackers

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced into thin rounds
Crackers, cream cheese, and sliced fresh tomatoes
Crackers, cream cheese, and sliced fresh tomatoes
Directions

1. Wash and dry the tomatoes well, then slice them into thin rounds. If the slices seem very juicy, lightly pat them with a paper towel so the crackers stay crisp.

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Fresh tomato slices being patted dry on a cutting board
Fresh tomato slices being patted dry on a cutting board
2. Spread or dollop a small amount of softened cream cheese onto each cracker.

Cream cheese being spread onto round crackers
Cream cheese being spread onto round crackers
3. Top each cracker with a tomato slice, pressing very gently so it stays in place.

Tomato slices placed over cream cheese on crackers
Tomato slices placed over cream cheese on crackers
4. Arrange on a plate and serve right away for the best texture.

Finished southern tomato bites plated for serving
Finished southern tomato bites plated for serving
Variations & Tips

Cooking & Recipes

Use the best tomatoes: Since there are only three ingredients here, ripe summer tomatoes make all the difference. If you can get backyard or farmers market tomatoes, this snack will taste even better.

Keep the crackers crisp: Assemble these just before serving so the tomato juices don’t soften the crackers. If you need a little head start, slice the tomatoes and soften the cream cheese ahead of time, then put everything together at the last minute.

Try a flavored cream cheese: Chive, garden vegetable, or whipped cream cheese can give these bites a little extra personality without making the recipe any harder.

Tomato bites made with herbed cream cheese
Tomato bites made with herbed cream cheese
Make them party-friendly: For a larger gathering, arrange the crackers on a tray and set out the cream cheese and tomato slices assembly-line style. It’s an easy way to make a bunch quickly without fussing in the kitchen.

Snacks