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Cheesy Ham Sticks

Featured in Quick and Easy Appetizers.

Quick and tasty, these ham and cheese wraps feature deli ham and gooey cheddar rolled in crescent dough. Finished with a buttery glaze loaded with Worcestershire, mustard, and poppy seeds, they're a surefire kid pleaser.

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Emily Watson
Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:21:24 GMT
Golden-brown baked rolls with ham and cheese, topped with butter and poppy seeds, stacked on a plate. Pin it
Golden-brown baked rolls with ham and cheese, topped with butter and poppy seeds, stacked on a plate. | thefamilycooks.com

Family Favorite Cheese and Ham Twists

We stumbled upon these cheese and ham twists while hunting for lunch options my fussy child would actually eat. They've now turned into our go-to snack request. That gooey cheese tucked inside flaky buttery dough paired with perfectly salty ham creates something nobody can turn down. The amazing smell fills our home whenever they're baking and kids magically appear from nowhere.

A Tasty Treat Everyone Adores

These bites have rescued many afternoon snack situations at our place. When soft dough meets melting cheese and juicy ham, magic happens. They're super quick to put together and the kids always want to help with the rolling part. There's just something about warm melted cheese that gets everyone smiling.

Your Ingredient List

  • Crescent Dough Sheets: They save tons of prep time.
  • Ham: Go for slices that aren't too thick.
  • Cheese: String cheese works wonders for the middle.
  • Butter Sauce: Our tasty mix that takes everything up a notch.

Time To Get Making

Set Up Your Dough
Heat your oven while slicing the dough into right-sized pieces.
Stack Your Ingredients
Put ham and cheese in layers then wrap everything tightly.
Add Butter Mixture
Whip up that yummy butter sauce and coat all surfaces.
Cook
Wait for them to turn perfectly brown in your oven.

Switching Things Around

We sometimes try different cheese types - you'll get awesome strings with mozzarella. Turkey works great too for a change of pace. When I'm feeling extra productive I'll make dough from scratch but let's be real - store-bought works just fine.

Storage Tips

They'll stay good in your fridge for around 3 days though we usually finish them way before that. Just warm them up quickly and you'll get that melty goodness back. I don't use anything but string cheese now since it gives the perfect amount in every bite.

A close-up view of baked ham and cheese pastries topped with melted cheese and poppy seeds, served with a side of dipping sauce. Pin it
A close-up view of baked ham and cheese pastries topped with melted cheese and poppy seeds, served with a side of dipping sauce. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these earlier?

You can put them together up to 4 hours ahead and keep in the fridge. Add the butter glaze just before baking.

→ What works instead of crescent dough?

Pizza dough or puff pastry are great swaps. Adjust bake time based on package instructions.

→ Is different cheese okay to use?

Sure! Mozzarella, Swiss, or pepper jack all melt nicely and would taste great.

→ How do I stop leaks?

Seal the edges tightly and fold in the ends before rolling. This helps keep the cheese inside.

→ Can these be frozen?

Yep, after baking and cooling, freeze them. Reheat at 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warm.

Cheesy Ham Sticks

Crescent dough wrapped around ham and cheese, brushed with a buttery glaze for extra flavor. Perfect for kids' snacks or quick lunches.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 rolls)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 1/2 tablespoon onion powder or dried minced onion.
02 2 packs of crescent dough sheets.
03 8 sticks of cheddar cheese.
04 1/2 tablespoon mustard (Dijon type).
05 1 lb thinly sliced deli ham.
06 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
07 1/4 cup melted butter.
08 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F before getting started.

Step 02

Slice each dough sheet into 4 pieces, making 8 total.

Step 03

Spread the ham slices evenly onto the dough pieces.

Step 04

Lay a cheese stick right on top of each piece of ham.

Step 05

Wrap the dough around while folding the ends over to seal the bottom.

Step 06

Set the rolls onto a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.

Step 07

Stir together the butter, Worcestershire, mustard, onion, and poppy seeds to make the glaze.

Step 08

Use a brush to coat the rolls with your glaze mixture.

Step 09

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, checking for a golden color.

Notes

  1. Kids will enjoy this for lunch.
  2. Super fast and simple to whip up.
  3. You can prepare everything ahead of time.
  4. Works well for freezing.
  5. Switch up the cheese to suit your taste.
  6. Ideal for snacks or party treats.

Tools You'll Need

  • Knife for slicing dough.
  • Foil or parchment for lining the tray.
  • A baking tray.
  • Small bowl for the glaze.
  • Pastry brush for coating.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from cheese and butter.
  • Wheat is an ingredient in crescent dough.
  • Eggs are present in the crescent dough.
  • Includes mustard.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 197
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: 13 g