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Ham and Cheese Sticks

Featured in Perfect Bites for Any Occasion.

Level up your appetizer game with these restaurant-worthy mozzarella sticks. String cheese gets the royal treatment with a triple coating that creates the perfect crunch. First comes seasoned flour and cornstarch, then beaten eggs, finally breadcrumbs loaded with Italian spices. The hot oil works its magic, creating that golden brown exterior while keeping the inside at peak melting point. Serve them right away with warm marinara sauce for maximum cheese-pull satisfaction. One batch is never enough.
A smiling woman in a chef's jacket stands in a commercial kitchen, looking at the camera with various food containers and utensils in the background.
Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:50:01 GMT
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A close-up of a plate of baked cheese-wrapped ham rolls, golden and crispy on the outside. Pin it
A close-up of a plate of baked cheese-wrapped ham rolls, golden and crispy on the outside. | tasteofcook.com

These ham and cheese sticks started as my solution to picky eaters at family gatherings. Now they've become my most requested party snack. I love watching everyone's faces light up when they bite into that flaky crust and discover the gooey cheese center. The best part? They're so easy to make I can whip them up while getting ready for guests.

What Makes These Special

My favorite thing about these snacks is how flexible they are. Sometimes I use fancy prosciutto when friends come over other times basic deli ham works just fine for kids' snacks. You can switch up the cheese use different doughs and they always turn out amazing. Plus they're perfect for those times when you need something quick but still want to impress.

Let's Get Shopping

  • Pick Your Dough: I love using crescent rolls for that buttery flavor but puff pastry makes them extra fancy.
  • Choose Your Ham: Any kind works here from basic deli slices to leftover holiday ham.
  • Get Cheesy: Sharp cheddar is my go-to but mozzarella makes amazing cheese pulls.
  • The Secret Sauce: My special glaze with butter Worcestershire and Dijon takes these over the top.

Time to Create

First Things First
Get your oven warming to 350°F and gather everything you need right on the counter.
Roll Them Up
Layer your ham and cheese on the dough roll them tight like little cigars make sure those edges are sealed.
Add Some Shine
Brush them with my secret glaze it gives them that beautiful golden color and amazing flavor.
Into The Oven
Give them about 15 minutes to get golden and bubbly watch that cheese doesn't escape.
The Final Touch
Let them cool just a bit nobody likes a burnt tongue.

Mix It Up

Sometimes I get fancy and use Gruyère cheese and prosciutto when I'm feeling extra special. My vegetarian friends love them with roasted zucchini instead of ham. And when I'm watching calories I skip the dough altogether and use lettuce wraps they're surprisingly good.

A close-up of a plate stacked with golden-brown, cheesy ham and cheese rolls garnished with herbs. Pin it
A close-up of a plate stacked with golden-brown, cheesy ham and cheese rolls garnished with herbs. | tasteofcook.com

My Kitchen Secrets

A quick egg wash makes them look like they came from a bakery. Keep your cheese a bit shorter than the dough edges or you'll have a melty mess. I love adding a sprinkle of garlic powder to the dough it makes everything taste better. And keep an eye on them those last few minutes they can go from perfect to too brown really fast.

Perfect Partners

Set out some dipping sauces my family loves marinara and honey mustard. On chilly days I serve them with tomato soup it's pure comfort food. They're great for brunches parties or just when the kids need an after-school pick-me-up.

Save Some For Later

Pop any extras in the fridge they'll keep for about three days. Want to plan ahead? Make a big batch without baking freeze them and you've got instant snacks whenever you need them. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Questions From My Kitchen

  • Can I freeze them? Absolutely perfect for busy days ahead.
  • Best dipping sauce? Try my honey mustard ranch mix it's amazing.
  • No meat please? Roasted veggies make a great filling.
  • Gluten concerns? There are some great gluten-free doughs available now.
  • Cheese choices? Any melty cheese works go wild.

Why These Always Win

There's something magical about warm flaky dough wrapped around melty cheese and savory ham. Maybe it's how easy they are to grab and eat or how they remind us of comfort food from childhood. Whatever the reason they never last long at my gatherings and I always get asked for the recipe.

A close-up of golden-brown, cheesy rolled sausages garnished with green herbs on a black plate. Pin it
A close-up of golden-brown, cheesy rolled sausages garnished with green herbs on a black plate. | tasteofcook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ham and cheese sticks ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble them and freeze them uncooked. When ready to serve, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time. They'll still come out golden and flaky.

→ What's the best cheese to use?

While the recipe calls for cheddar cheese sticks, you can use any cheese that melts well. Swiss, Gouda, or Mozzarella are great alternatives that each bring their own unique flavor to the dish.

→ How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out?

Make sure to seal the edges of the dough well when rolling, and fold in the ends before rolling. Also, using cheese sticks rather than shredded cheese helps contain the melting.

→ What can I serve with these?

These sticks are great with dipping sauces like marinara, ranch dressing, or honey mustard. They also pair well with a simple salad for a light meal.

→ Can I make these vegetarian?

You can substitute the ham with vegetarian deli slices and use your favorite cheese to make these vegetarian-friendly. The butter in the glaze can be replaced with plant-based butter.

Ham and Cheese Sticks

Warm, flaky sticks filled with ham and melted cheese, topped with a tasty butter glaze for the perfect savory snack.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Snacks & Starters

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 cheese sticks)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 tubes crescent dough sheets.
02 1 lb. deli-sliced ham.
03 8 cheddar cheese sticks.
04 ¼ cup butter, melted.
05 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
06 ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard.
07 ½ Tbsp dried minced onion or onion powder.
08 ½ Tbsp poppy seeds.

Instructions

Step 01

Set oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.

Step 02

Unroll dough sheets and cut each into 4 pieces to get 8 total.

Step 03

Put ham on each piece of dough, top with a cheese stick.

Step 04

Fold in the ends and roll up each piece, sealing edges.

Step 05

Mix melted butter with Worcestershire, mustard, onion, and poppy seeds.

Step 06

Brush rolls with glaze and bake 12-15 minutes until golden.

Notes

  1. Can use different types of cheese.
  2. Freezes well for later.
  3. Great with dipping sauces.
  4. Keep dough cold until ready to use.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheet.
  • Pastry brush.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (cheese, butter).
  • Wheat (crescent dough).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 24 g
  • Protein: 15 g