Description
Crispy ham and cheese sticks bring pure comfort straight to your dinner table, delivering a delightful crunch that makes snack time seriously fun. Wrapped in golden breading and packed with melty goodness, these little treats disappear faster than you can plate them.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 package (8 oz) puff pastry
- 8 ounces sliced ham
- 8 ounces cheese
Egg Wash and Seasoning:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Optional Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Dust your work surface with flour and gently roll out the 8 oz puff pastry sheet to create an even surface.
- Slice the pastry into 3×4 inch rectangles that provide enough space to wrap your ham and cheese.
- Layer a slice of ham onto each pastry rectangle, then position a 1-inch thick cheese stick directly on top.
- Carefully fold the pastry edges over your ham and cheese, pressing firmly to seal the package completely.
- Use fork tines to crimp and decorate the pastry edges, ensuring a tight seal.
- Whisk 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water to create a smooth egg wash.
- Brush each pastry stick generously with the egg wash, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt, pepper, and dried herbs if desired.
- Arrange the prepared sticks on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Slide the baking sheet into the 400°F oven and bake for precisely 15-20 minutes until pastry turns golden and puffy.
- Remove from oven and let the sticks rest for 3-4 minutes to cool slightly.
- Plate your ham and cheese sticks and serve with a small dish of mustard or marinara for optional dipping.
Notes
- Always thaw puff pastry completely but keep it cold, as cold dough creates the best flaky layers.
- Press pastry edges firmly when sealing to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap puff pastry for a gluten-free alternative made from rice or almond flour.
- Experiment with different cheese types like Swiss, cheddar, or pepper jack to customize flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Ham
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg