Sesame, Ham & Cheese Bites
Submitted by chris23
Sesame ham and cheese bites: layered ham-prosciutto-Gruyere squares breaded with sesame seeds and parsley breadcrumbs, baked until golden and melty. Forty-eight bite-sized party appetizers.
YIELD
48 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
15 minREADY
30 minTiny ham and cheese sandwiches elevated to cocktail party status. Each bite stacks boiled ham, prosciutto, and Gruyere into a sandwich square, then breaded with a sesame seed and parsley crust that crisps in the oven for restaurant-style appetizers.
The layered meat combo is the smart move. Boiled ham brings mild salty backbone, prosciutto adds funkier aged depth, and the Gruyere in between melts into a savory glue. This is way more interesting than a single-meat sandwich and far more sophisticated than a deli platter.
Classic French breading order matters: flour first to dry the surface, egg wash next to bind, then the sesame-breadcrumb mixture to coat. Skip the flour step and the coating falls off in the oven. Lay them on a buttered sheet and drizzle melted butter on top so they get golden and crispy without deep frying.
Forty-eight bites from this recipe means it’s serious party food. Make ahead through the breading step, refrigerate up to 4 hours, then bake straight from cold when guests arrive.
Pro Tips
- Use thin slices of meat and cheese so they bind together when pressed.
- Press the layered sandwiches firmly before cutting to keep them from coming apart.
- Toast sesame seeds briefly in a dry skillet before coating for deeper nutty flavor.
- Serve hot. The cheese firms up as they cool and they lose their appeal.
Variations
- Swap Gruyere for Swiss, Emmental, or sharp cheddar.
- Use thinly sliced turkey or salami instead of one of the hams.
- Add a thin layer of Dijon mustard or fig jam between the meat and cheese.
Ingredients
Directions
Lay out 7"x5” slices of ham.
Cover each with a slice of prosciutto and a slice of Gruyere, and top with a second slice of boiled ham.
Cut each into 6 squares.
Beat the oil, eggs, pepper to taste, and the cayenne together in a shallow bowl.
In another bowl toss sesame seeds, bread crumbs and chopped parsley together.
Preheat over to 400℉ (200℃).
Dip each square first into flour, next into the egg mixture, last into sesame seed mixture.
Put squares on a buttered baking sheet and drizzle melted butter on top.
Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, until sandwiches are golden and cheese is melted.
Drain on a paper towel for 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Comments
this recipe calls for 8 slices of boiled ham when it should be 16!