The Most Irresistible Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe Ever
Crispy ham and cheese sticks offer a delightful twist on classic snack-time favorites.
Our kitchen adventure starts with simple ingredients you can easily find.
Melted cheese and savory ham create a perfect combination inside a golden, crunchy exterior.
Comfort food rarely gets more satisfying than these bite-sized treats.
Kids and adults alike cannot resist their irresistible crunch and warm, gooey center.
Quick to prepare and even faster to disappear from the plate, these sticks will become your new go-to appetizer.
Dive into this recipe and watch magic happen in your kitchen.
What Makes Ham and Cheese Sticks an Easy Snack Favorite
Essential Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Sticks
Main Ingredients:Glaze Ingredients:Optional Finishing Ingredients:How to Prepare Ham and Cheese Sticks
Step 1: Warm Up the Oven
Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lightly coating it with cooking spray or laying down a sheet of parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Shape the Dough
Gently unroll the crescent dough sheets and slice each one into four equal sections, creating a total of eight rectangular pieces.
Step 3: Load Up with Filling
Place a generous layer of ham on each dough piece. Top the ham with a single cheese stick. Carefully fold the shorter ends of the dough inward, then roll the entire piece to create a sealed tube.
Step 4: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Position the rolled-up ham and cheese bundles onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching each other.
Step 5: Whip Up the Flavor Glaze
In a small mixing bowl, combine:Stir the ingredients until they form a harmonious blend.
Step 6: Brush with Flavor
Use a pastry brush to generously coat each roll with the zesty butter mixture, ensuring every surface gets a delicious layer of flavor.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown color that signals they’re ready.
Step 8: Serve and Savor
Remove from the oven and let cool for a moment. Serve these irresistible ham and cheese rolls while they’re warm and at their most tempting.
Tips to Get Ham and Cheese Sticks Just Right
Variations to Add Variety to Ham and Cheese Sticks
Pairing Ideas to Enjoy with Ham and Cheese Sticks
Best Storage Methods for Ham and Cheese Sticks
Frequently Asked Questions About Ham and Cheese Sticks
Yes, you can swap ham for turkey or bacon, and use mozzarella, Swiss, or provolone cheese instead of cheddar for variety.
Absolutely! They’re portable, easy to eat, and can be served warm or cold, making them perfect for school lunches or snacks.
No, just a basic baking sheet, parchment paper or cooking spray, and a small bowl for the glaze. Simple kitchen tools work perfectly.
Yes, you can assemble the sticks and refrigerate them before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to cook them.
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Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Crispy ham and cheese sticks deliver a delightful crunch that elevates simple ingredients into a mouthwatering snack. Golden-brown exterior meets gooey cheese and savory ham, promising a quick appetizer perfect for hungry guests craving comfort and flavor.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound deli-sliced ham
- 8 cheddar cheese sticks
Dough:
- 2 tubes crescent dough sheets
Seasoning and Coating:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a light grease coating.
- Unfurl the crescent dough sheets and slice each into 4 equal rectangular sections, creating 8 total dough pieces.
- Layer thin ham slices across each dough rectangle, ensuring even distribution.
- Position a single cheddar cheese stick atop the ham layer on each dough piece.
- Carefully fold the shorter ends of each dough piece inward to prevent filling from escaping.
- Gently roll each section, pressing edges to completely seal the ham and cheese inside.
- Transfer the rolled sticks onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Combine melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, finely minced onion, and poppy seeds in a small mixing bowl.
- Using a pastry brush, generously coat each dough stick with the prepared herb-butter glaze.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the sticks transform into a golden, crispy exterior.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the melted cheese and savory ham filling.
Notes
- Use crescent roll dough at room temperature for easier handling and better rolling.
- Ensure ham and cheese are evenly distributed to prevent uneven cooking and filling leakage.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute crescent dough with gluten-free puff pastry or almond flour-based dough.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Swiss, Gruyère, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Cascade Culinary Institute – Bend, OR
ServSafe Food Handler Certification – Portland, OR
Focus: Certified in core food safety and hygiene principles for both home and professional kitchens, with emphasis on ingredient handling, kitchen cleanliness, and safe preparation methods.
Mike’s kitchen journey began with a single goal: to make everyday meals feel like something worth celebrating.
After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Cascade Culinary Institute, he spent years working with local farmers and small kitchens across Oregon, learning the beauty of seasonal, small-batch cooking.
Mike’s approach is simple, cook with what’s fresh, keep it approachable, and always leave room for a little creativity. When he’s not testing yogurt marinades or designing single-serving meals, you’ll find him hiking trails or hunting down the best berries at local markets.