Ham and Cheese Sticks

These ham and cheese sticks made with store-bought puff pastry are surprisingly easy to make, taste and look amazing and can be made ahead.

These ham and cheese pastry sticks are a family favorite! They’re delicious, unbelievably easy and quick to make.

Made with just 5 ingredients: cream cheese, Italian herb seasoning, ham, grated cheese and store bought puff pastry in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Make a perfect anytime treat just like that or with any dip of your choice.

Feel free to make these ham and cheese sticks in advance until the chilling stage and then cut into strips and bake the next day.

What you’ll need ham and cheese straws:

• 100 g (3.5 oz/ ½ cup) cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning
• 100 g (3.5 oz/ 2/3 cup) ham
• 1 store-bought puff pastry (approx.: 275 g (10 oz))
• 100 g (3.5 oz/ 1 cup) grated cheese
• salt and pepper

You’ll also need:

• 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of milk to wash the sticks
• 2 bowls
• 1 parchment paper
• a cutting board
• 1 baking sheet
• a sharp knife/pizza cutter

How to make ham & cheese puff pastry twists

Start off by cutting the ham into slices.

In a bowl combine cream cheese and dried herbs. Using a spoon, mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.

Lightly flour a cutting board and roll out the puff pastry. Spread the cream uniformly over the half of the pastry. Next, align ham slices on the pastry spread with cream and sprinkle with grated cheese.

Fold the side of the pastry that is not covered with the cream cheese, grated cheese and ham over the covered side. (as shown on the picture below)

Once again, spread the half of the pastry uniformly with cream, followed by ham slices and grated cheese. Fold the uncovered pastry over the covered pastry and refrigerate it for at least 5 minutes. 

• It’s very important to chill the pastry roll, because it makes it easier to cut when it’s cold. You can also prepare the roll a day before and chill it to use it the next day.

In the meantime preheat the oven to 200°C (392 °F) and line a baking sheet with a parchment paper.

Using a sharp knife cut the pastry roll into at least 15 equal strips.

Using your hands, hold the each end of the strip while twisting it carefully into opposite direction to form a spiral form.

Arrange the spirals on a baking sheet lined with a parchment paper. Don’t forget to leave enough space between the sticks for them to expand.

In the second bowl, whisk the egg and milk

Brush each puff stick top lightly with it.

Bake for 20 minutes or until nicely golden brown.

More puff pastry recipes you’ll like

• Spinach feta puff pastry quiche
• Easy spinach feta pinwheels
• Zucchini tartlets

Did you make this ham and cheese twist recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Simply write a review and add rating to it.