Looking for a quick, cheesy, and delicious snack? These Ham and Cheese Sticks are the ultimate easy-to-make appetizer, lunch, or party snack. Made with buttery crescent dough, savory deli ham, and gooey cheddar cheese, these golden-brown, flaky treats are irresistibly good!
Whether you’re making them for game day, a family get-together, or a quick meal, these cheesy ham sticks will be a huge hit.
Let’s get baking! 🥐🧀✨
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Super Easy: Only 6 ingredients and minimal prep time.
✔️ Golden, Buttery, and Cheesy: Flaky crescent dough, melty cheddar, and smoky ham—perfection!
✔️ Great for Any Occasion: Perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or party platters.
✔️ Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep them in advance and bake when ready!
What Do They Taste Like? 🤤
These Ham and Cheese Sticks are crispy on the outside, buttery and flaky, with a gooey cheddar cheese center and savory, salty ham in every bite. The Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce butter glaze adds a subtle tangy, umami kick that makes them absolutely addictive!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 tubes crescent dough sheets 🥐 (or crescent roll dough, unrolled and pressed together)
- 1 lb. deli-sliced ham 🍖 (thinly sliced for easy rolling)
- 8 cheddar cheese sticks 🧀 (or sliced cheddar)
- ¼ cup butter, melted 🧈 (for a buttery glaze)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 🍶 (adds savory depth)
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard 🌿 (for a slight tang)
Optional Add-Ins & Toppings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄 (for a garlicky flavor)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika 🌶️ (adds smoky warmth)
- Sesame seeds or poppy seeds 🌱 (for extra crunch)
- Chopped fresh parsley 🌿 (for garnish)
Tools You’ll Need
✔️ Baking sheet
✔️ Parchment paper
✔️ Pastry brush
✔️ Knife or pizza cutter
How to Make Ham and Cheese Sticks
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Roll & Layer
1️⃣ Unroll one crescent dough sheet onto a flat surface.
2️⃣ Evenly layer sliced ham over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
3️⃣ Place cheddar cheese sticks in a row along the shorter edge of the dough.
4️⃣ Roll the dough tightly over the cheese and ham, pressing the edges to seal.
5️⃣ Repeat with the second dough sheet, ham, and cheese.
Step 3: Slice Into Sticks
1️⃣ Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice each roll into 4 equal pieces (for a total of 8 sticks).
2️⃣ Place the sticks seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Make the Buttery Glaze
1️⃣ In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
2️⃣ Brush the butter mixture generously over the ham and cheese sticks.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melty.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with chopped parsley or sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces!
What to Serve with Ham and Cheese Sticks
🥫 Honey Mustard or Ranch Dressing – A creamy, tangy dip!
🍅 Marinara Sauce – A fun pizza-like twist.
🫒 Olives or Pickles – A salty, briny contrast to the cheesy goodness.
🥗 Side Salad – A fresh, light complement to this indulgent snack.
Tips for the Best Ham and Cheese Sticks
✔️ Use Cold Dough: Cold crescent dough is easier to roll and keeps its shape better.
✔️ Seal the Edges: Pinch the seams tightly to prevent cheese from leaking while baking.
✔️ Don’t Overfill: Too much ham or cheese will make the rolls harder to seal.
✔️ For Extra Crispiness: Bake on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet.
✔️ Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the butter glaze.
Variations & Fun Twists
🥓 Bacon-Wrapped Version: Wrap the rolls in thin bacon strips before baking!
🌶️ Spicy Pepper Jack Version: Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
🥐 Everything Bagel Style: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.
🧄 Garlic Bread Flavor: Add garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the butter glaze.
How to Store & Reheat
❄️ Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
🔥 Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or air fry at 350°F for 3 minutes.
🧊 Freeze: Freeze unbaked rolls for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
2. Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Absolutely! Puff pastry will give a flakier, crispier texture. Just adjust the baking time to 18-20 minutes.
3. Can I use different meats?
Yes! Try turkey, roast beef, or prosciutto for different flavor profiles.
4. How can I make these healthier?
Use whole wheat crescent dough, low-fat cheese, and turkey ham for a lighter option.
5. Can I air fry these instead of baking?
Yes! Air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
Wrapping It Up 🥐🧀✨
These Ham and Cheese Sticks are quick, easy, and incredibly delicious—a perfect party snack, lunchbox treat, or family-friendly meal. With flaky dough, melty cheese, and savory ham, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast!
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your photos and tag me on Pinterest or Instagram—I can’t wait to see your delicious creations! 😍✨
More Easy Appetizers to Try:
🥓 Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
🍕 Pepperoni Pizza Crescent Rolls
🧄 Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks
Happy baking, and enjoy every cheesy bite! 😊🥐🧀