Description
Quick, cheesy, and crispy ham and cheese sticks are the ultimate snack or appetizer. Featuring a golden-brown breading and gooey cheese wrapped in savory ham, they’re perfect for parties, game days, or indulgent treats.
Ingredients
- Ham slices: 8–10 slices (thinly sliced, large enough to wrap around cheese sticks)
- Cheese sticks: 8–10 (mozzarella, cheddar, or preferred cheese)
- All-purpose flour: ½ cup
- Eggs: 2, beaten
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup (plain or seasoned)
- Oil for frying: Enough for deep frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Lay out the ham slices and cheese sticks. If needed, cut the cheese sticks to fit within the ham slices.
- Wrap the Cheese: Roll each cheese stick in a ham slice, ensuring the cheese is completely enclosed. Repeat for all.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Place flour in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in a second, and breadcrumbs in a third.
- Bread the Sticks: Roll each ham-wrapped cheese stick in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps (double coating).
- Heat the Oil: Heat oil in a deep skillet or frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Sticks: Fry the breaded sticks in small batches for 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Customizations: Try different cheeses (e.g., gouda, Swiss) or substitute ham with turkey or prosciutto for variety.
- Baked Alternative: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, for a lighter version.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
- Freezing Option: Freeze uncooked sticks; fry directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to cook time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American, Kid-Friendly
Keywords: Ham and cheese sticks recipe Crispy appetizer idea Easy cheesy snacks Game day snacks Ham-wrapped cheese