Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

Ham and cheese sticks recipe is a quick and savory snack that wraps the comforting flavors of deli ham and cheddar cheese in buttery, flaky crescent dough or puff pastry. Brushed with a seasoned blend of melted butter, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds, these ham and cheese sticks are baked on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until beautifully golden brown in just 12–15 minutes. Whether you’re using mozzarella sticks or classic cheese, and pairing them with marinara sauce or other favorite dipping sauces, this recipe is easy to assemble with basic dough sheets, a small bowl, and a standard oven—perfect for satisfying cravings or feeding a hungry crowd.

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Why You’ll Love Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

The ham and cheese sticks recipe is the definition of easy comfort food. It blends the flaky crispness of crescent dough or puff pastry with the creamy melt of cheddar cheese or mozzarella sticks, all wrapped around savory deli ham. Finished with a glaze of melted butter, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds, every bite is packed with bold, baked flavor and satisfying texture.

Here’s why this recipe becomes an instant favorite:

• Quick and Easy – Uses store-bought dough sheets and simple ingredients; ready in the oven for 12–15 minutes.
• Versatile – Swap cheeses or meats; serve with a variety of dipping sauces like marinara sauce.
• Kid and Crowd Friendly – Loved by kids and adults, perfect for snacks or party platters.
• Minimal Cleanup – Just a small bowl, a lined baking sheet with parchment paper, and you’re done.

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

To make this flavorful and easy ham and cheese sticks recipe, you’ll need just a handful of everyday ingredients that transform into a cheesy, flaky snack in minutes. Whether you choose crescent dough, puff pastry, or classic crescent roll, each element plays a key role in achieving that perfect golden brown finish.

• 2 tubes crescent dough sheets or puff pastry
• 1 lb deli ham slices
• 8 cheddar cheese sticks (or mozzarella sticks as an alternative)
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ Tbsp sauce Dijon mustard
• ½ Tbsp onion powder
• ½ Tbsp poppy seeds

You’ll also need a small bowl for the butter glaze and a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to bake them in the oven for 12–15 minutes until the ham and cheese sticks are crisp and bubbling. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, like marinara sauce, for extra flavor.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

Making the ham and cheese sticks recipe is quick and simple. Using crescent dough, puff pastry, or crescent roll sheets, you can create a perfectly crisp and cheesy snack in under 30 minutes. With just a few steps and common ingredients, this dish delivers satisfying results every time.

• Prepare the Dough and Fillings: Roll out the dough sheets and cut into rectangles. Place ham slices and cheddar cheese (or mozzarella sticks) in the center of each.

• Wrap and Seal: Fold and roll each portion tightly, tucking in the edges to fully enclose the cheese. Place seam-side down on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

• Make the Butter Glaze: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, sauce Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds. Brush generously over each roll.

• Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven for 12–15 minutes at 350°F until crisp and golden brown. Serve your ham and cheese sticks warm with marinara sauce or other dipping sauces of your choice.

Serve Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

Serving the ham and cheese sticks recipe is all about maximizing that fresh-from-the-oven experience. Once they’ve baked to a perfectly golden brown finish on your baking sheet, let the ham and cheese sticks cool for just a minute to allow the cheese to settle. The buttery exterior, thanks to the melted butter, onion powder, and poppy seeds glaze, makes them crisp on the outside and gooey inside.

Arrange the sticks straight from the parchment paper onto a platter and pair them with a variety of dipping sauces. Classic marinara sauce works beautifully, but honey mustard, ranch, or a spicy aioli can elevate them even more. Whether made with crescent dough, puff pastry, or crescent roll, and filled with cheddar cheese or mozzarella sticks, they shine as a crowd-pleasing snack, lunchbox filler, or appetizer.

Tips for Success Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

Mastering the ham and cheese sticks recipe is all about a few small techniques that make a big difference. Here’s how to get the best texture, flavor, and presentation every time:

• Seal tightly: When rolling the ham slices and cheddar cheese (or mozzarella sticks) in the crescent dough or puff pastry, make sure the edges are pinched closed to prevent cheese from leaking out during baking.
• Brush evenly: Use a small bowl to mix your melted butter, sauce Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds, and brush it thoroughly over each stick to ensure a flavorful, crispy finish.
• Use parchment paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, which helps the ham and cheese sticks bake evenly and achieve that golden brown color.
• Don’t overbake: Keep a close eye on the oven for 12–15 minutes. Pull them out as soon as they turn golden to keep the inside soft and the cheese gooey.

With these tips, every batch of ham and cheese sticks will come out just right—crispy, melty, and full of rich, savory flavor.

Equipment Needed Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

To make the ham and cheese sticks recipe efficiently and with great results, you’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools. These ensure that your preparation, baking, and cleanup are smooth from start to finish.

• Baking sheet – Essential for placing the ham and cheese sticks evenly in the oven for 12–15 minutes to achieve that perfect golden brown finish.
• Parchment paper – Prevents sticking and helps with easy cleanup; ideal when working with crescent dough, puff pastry, or crescent roll dough.
• Small bowl – Used for mixing the glaze of melted butter, sauce Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds before brushing it on the dough.
• Pastry brush or spoon – To apply the butter mixture evenly across each wrapped stick for consistent flavor and browning.
• Knife or pizza cutter – For dividing the dough sheets into uniform sections before filling with deli ham and cheddar cheese or mozzarella sticks.

With these tools ready, you’ll be well-prepared to make delicious, bakery-quality ham and cheese sticks in your own kitchen.

Variations Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

One of the best things about the ham and cheese sticks recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Whether you’re adjusting for preference or using what you have on hand, these variations will help you switch things up without losing the essence of this flavorful snack.

• Cheese Options: Swap cheddar cheese for mozzarella sticks for extra stretch or use pepper jack for a spicy twist.
• Dough Choices: Use puff pastry for a more layered, flaky texture instead of crescent dough or crescent roll sheets.
• Flavor Boosters: Add garlic powder, Italian herbs, or chili flakes to the melted butter glaze alongside onion powder and poppy seeds for deeper flavor.
• Filling Variations: Replace ham slices with turkey, roast beef, or vegetarian options like sautéed mushrooms and spinach.

Each version bakes perfectly in the oven for 12–15 minutes, achieving that same crispy, golden brown finish on your baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ready for dipping into marinara sauce or your choice of dipping sauces.

Serving Suggestions Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

The ham and cheese sticks recipe is incredibly versatile, making it easy to serve in a variety of delicious ways. Whether baked with crescent dough, puff pastry, or a classic crescent roll, these ham and cheese sticks come out perfectly golden brown and ready for pairing.

• Appetizer Platter: Arrange freshly baked sticks on a baking sheet or serving tray lined with parchment paper, and serve with small bowls of marinara sauce, ranch, and honey mustard as dipping sauces.
• Lunchbox Addition: Include a couple of cooled sticks with fruit and veggies for a balanced, satisfying lunch.
• Soup Companion: Serve alongside tomato soup or a creamy chowder to make a cozy meal even better.
• Brunch Board: Pair with mini quiches, fresh fruit, and muffins for a well-rounded brunch spread.

No matter how you serve them, the combination of flaky crust, melted cheddar cheese or mozzarella sticks, savory deli ham slices, and that buttery topping made with melted butter, sauce Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds will always be a crowd favorite.

FAQs Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

1. Can I use mozzarella instead of cheddar in this ham and cheese sticks recipe?
Yes, mozzarella sticks work just as well as cheddar cheese. They provide a stretchier texture and milder flavor, making them an excellent substitute.

2. What type of dough works best for ham and cheese sticks?
Both crescent dough and puff pastry yield great results. Crescent roll dough creates a soft, buttery finish, while puff pastry delivers a flakier texture.

3. Can I prepare ham and cheese sticks ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the ham slices and cheese in dough sheets ahead, place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, brush with the melted butter, onion powder, poppy seeds, and sauce Dijon mustard mixture just before putting them in the oven for 12–15 minutes.

4. What dipping sauces pair well with ham and cheese sticks?
Classic marinara sauce is a favorite, but honey mustard, ranch, and spicy aioli also make excellent dipping sauces to complement the savory filling.

5. How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store cooled ham and cheese sticks in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, place them back on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and the crust becomes golden brown again.

Final Thoughts Ham and Cheese Sticks Recipe

This ham and cheese sticks recipe is the perfect combination of simplicity and flavor. With flaky crescent dough or puff pastry, creamy cheddar cheese or mozzarella sticks, and savory deli ham slices, it’s a satisfying snack or appetizer that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum taste. Brushed with a savory glaze of melted butter, sauce Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds, each stick bakes in the oven for 12–15 minutes to a perfect golden brown.

Serve these warm off the baking sheet, lined with parchment paper, alongside your favorite dipping sauces like marinara sauce for a quick, delicious treat that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re using dough sheets, a crescent roll, or trying a new variation, these ham and cheese sticks will become a staple in your kitchen.

More Bibodo Recipes to Try

If you loved the ease and flavor of the ham and cheese sticks recipe, here are five more delicious recipes from Bibodo that offer the same comfort and creativity. Each one brings its own unique twist—perfect for experimenting with flavors and kitchen staples.

1. Ham and Cheese Butter Biscuits
   These soft, savory biscuits are layered with deli ham and cheddar cheese, then brushed with melted butter for a rich, golden finish. A perfect breakfast or snack companion to your ham and cheese sticks.
2. Nacho Egg Rolls
   Crispy, golden egg rolls filled with cheesy nacho ingredients. They’re ideal for dipping, just like your favorite ham and cheese sticks served with marinara sauce or other dipping sauces.
3. Steak, Cheese, and Rice
   A hearty, comforting skillet meal that layers juicy steak and melted cheese over fluffy rice. Think of it as the warm, hearty dinner version of a ham and cheese sticks recipe.
4. Crack Burger Recipe
   This juicy burger is seasoned to perfection, topped with gooey cheese and a creamy sauce—offering the same crave-worthy, rich flavor profile as your crescent dough-wrapped bites.
5. Broccoli Cheddar Biscuit Casserole
   A baked dish filled with cheesy, biscuit-topped goodness that echoes the baked charm and golden brown finish of your ham and cheese sticks—only bigger and spoon-ready.

These recipes are perfect next steps if you enjoyed baking with dough sheets, layering in savory fillings like cheddar cheese, and brushing on flavorful glazes like sauce Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds. Each one is easy, comforting, and ready for your next meal.