Th Best Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Name: Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 sheet Puff pastry (- Thawed but cold); 8–10 slices Deli ham (- Thinly sliced); 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese (- Or Swiss cheese); 4 oz Cream cheese (- Softened); 2 tbsp Dijon mustard (- Adds flavor); 1 Egg For egg wash; 1 tbsp Water (- To mix with egg); Handful Fresh spinach leaves (- For extra greens); Few slices Pickles (- Fun salty crunch); 1 tsp Everything bagel seasoning (- Adds texture and flavor); 1/2 tsp Garlic powder (- Optional); 1/2 tsp Dried herbs (- Dill or parsley work well); 1/2 cup Marinara sauce (- For pizza-style dipping); 1/2 cup Ranch dressing (- Great for kids); 1/4 cup Honey mustard (- Sweet and tangy option)

Emma came home from his friend's birthday party last month raving about "those fancy spiral sandwiches" they served, and I knew exactly what he meant. Those simple Ham and Cheese Pinwheels had stolen his seven-year-old heart. The next Saturday, we made our own batch together, and watching those golden, flaky spirals come out of the oven with melted cheese oozing out the sides reminded me why these are such a classic party food. After twelve years of catering events and making appetizers professionally, I've learned that the best crowd-pleasers are usually the simplest ones.

Freshly baked ham and cheese pinwheels on a white serving plate, flaky and golden with melted cheese and herbs

Why I Love This Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

These ham and cheese pinwheels are everything I want in an easy appetizer. That puff pastry gets this gorgeous golden color with layers that shatter and flake when you bite in. The ham adds just enough saltiness, and when that cheese melts into all those buttery layers? Heaven. Emma loves them because he can hold one in each hand while doing literally anything else (eating and gaming is his specialty), and I love that he'll actually eat something I made without complaining.

I love it because prep is so simple that Emma can help without me stressing about sharp knives or hot ovens. We roll out the pastry, layer on the ham and cheese, roll it up like a sleeping bag, slice, and bake. That's it. No tricky steps, no weird ingredients, just stuff from the deli counter and a box of puff pastry from the freezer. When my sister visited last Christmas and watched me throw these together in 10 minutes, she practically yelled "That's IT?!" Now she makes them for every family party and everyone acts like she's discovered some secret recipe. The joke's on them.

Jump to:

Why I Love This Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients You'll Need For Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
How To Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Step By Step
Storing Your Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Variations
Equipment For Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Smart Swaps for Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Top Tip
What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
FAQ
Party Favorite Made Easy!
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Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Ingredients You'll Need For Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

For the Pinwheels:

1 sheet puff pastry
8-10 slices deli ham
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 egg
1 tablespoon water

Optional Add-ins:

Fresh spinach leaves
Sliced pickles
Everything bagel seasoning
Garlic powder
Dried herbs like dill or parsley

For Serving:

Marinara sauce
Ranch dressing for dipping
Honey mustard
Extra Dijon mustard

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Step By Step

Quick Prep:

Preheat oven to 400°F
Line baking sheet with parchment paper
Roll out cold puff pastry on lightly floured surface
Mix cream cheese and Dijon mustard together
Beat egg with water for wash

Person sprinkling seasoning over layers of ham and shredded cheese on puff pastry dough, preparing savory rolls before baking.

Build Your Roll:

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over pastry
Layer ham slices on top (overlap slightly)
Sprinkle shredded cheese all over
Roll up tightly from one long side
Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 15 minutes

Bake Until Golden:

Let cool 5 minutes before serving
Slice roll into ½-inch thick rounds
Place on prepared baking sheet
Brush tops with egg wash
Bake 18-20 minutes until golden and puffed

Tray of golden, flaky puff pastry rounds fresh out of the oven, with a person arranging them on parchment paper

Storing Your Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Refrigerator (3-4 days):

Cool completely before storing
Keep in airtight container
Layer with parchment paper between
Reheat in 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes
Microwave makes them soggy (don't do it)

Freezer (2-3 months):

Freeze unbaked rolls wrapped tight in plastic
Or freeze baked pinwheels in freezer bags
Thaw overnight in fridge before baking
Bake frozen ones 5 minutes longer
Works great for meal prep

Make-Ahead Tips:

Roll and slice night before
Cover and refrigerate unbaked
Bake fresh in the morning
Or freeze rolled log up to 2 weeks
Slice and bake when needed

Party Prep:

Bake up to 4 hours ahead
Keep at room temperature covered
Warm in oven before serving
Or serve at room temp (still good)
Make double batch, they disappear fast

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Variations

Pizza Style:

Spread marinara sauce instead of cream cheese
Add pepperoni with the ham
Use mozzarella cheese
Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top
Emma asks for these every week

Breakfast Version:

Use scrambled eggs instead of cream cheese
Add cooked bacon with ham
Mix in cheddar cheese
Brush with butter instead of egg wash
Great for brunch

Buffalo Chicken:

Swap ham for shredded rotisserie chicken
Mix buffalo sauce with cream cheese
Add blue cheese crumbles
Serve with ranch for dipping
My husband's favorite

Veggie Loaded:

Skip the ham entirely
Layer roasted red peppers and spinach
Use feta and mozzarella
Add sun-dried tomatoes
Actually good (shocking, I know)

Equipment For Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Baking sheet (rimmed works best)
Parchment paper or silicone mat
Rolling pin (or a wine bottle in a pinch)
Sharp knife (for slicing)
Pastry brush (for egg wash)
Small mixing bowl

Smart Swaps for Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Healthier Options:

Turkey slices → Ham (leaner)
Reduced-fat cheese → Regular cheese (cuts calories)
Whole wheat puff pastry → Regular (if you can find it)
Greek yogurt → Cream cheese (more protein)

Dietary Needs:

Gluten-free puff pastry → Regular (Schar brand works)
Dairy-free cheese → Regular cheese (melts weird but okay)
Vegan deli slices → Ham (plant-based)
Egg substitute → Egg wash (for vegan)

Flavor Twists:

Ranch seasoning → Plain (more flavor)
Swiss cheese → Cheddar (nuttier)
Salami → Ham (spicier)
Pesto → Dijon mustard (Italian style)

Top Tip

Back making these at least 50 times, here's what separates okay pinwheels from amazing ones. First, keep that puff pastry cold. I mean really cold. If it starts getting warm and sticky while you're working with it, stop and stick it back in the fridge for 10 minutes. Warm puff pastry is a nightmare to roll and it won't puff right in the oven. I've wrestled with warm pastry too many times and it's never worth it.

Don't overfill them. I know it's tempting to pile on extra cheese and ham, but too much filling makes them impossible to roll tight and they'll leak all over your baking sheet. I learned this when I tried to use up leftover ham and cheese — the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels exploded in the oven and made a melted cheese mess. A thin, even layer of everything works better than thick globs. Also, overlap your ham slices slightly so there are no gaps. This keeps every bite consistent.

That chill time before slicing isn't optional. Cold dough slices clean without smooshing. Room temperature dough just squishes under the knife and ruins those pretty spirals. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between every single slice. This keeps each pinwheel looking nice instead of all stuck together. I do one slice, wipe the knife on a damp towel, next slice, wipe again.

What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

From hosting dozens of parties and making these for lunches, I've found that simple sides work best. These pinwheels are rich and buttery, so you need something fresh and crunchy to balance them out. A crisp green salad with vinaigrette is my go-to the acid cuts through all that cheese and pastry. Cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices are also great because they're light and refreshing. Emma always wants fruit on the side, and honestly grapes or apple slices work better than you'd think.

For more filling meals, these pair well with soup tomato soup is classic but chicken noodle or broccoli cheddar both work too. If I'm making them for breakfast or brunch, I serve them with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. For lunch, potato chips or pretzels are fine but honestly not necessary since the pinwheels are pretty filling on their own. At parties, I put them on a platter with other finger foods like cheese cubes, crackers, and pepperoni. The trick is not overthinking it.

FAQ

How long do you bake ham and cheese pinwheels?

At 400°F, these take 18-20 minutes until they're golden brown and puffed up. You'll know they're done when the pastry is crispy and flaky, not pale and doughy. I check around the 15-minute mark because every oven runs different. Mine runs hot, so I sometimes pull them at 17 minutes. If you're baking from frozen, add about 5 more minutes.

Can pinwheels be made the night before?

Yes! This is actually how I do it for every party. Roll everything up, slice them, arrange on your baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and stick in the fridge overnight. In the morning (or whenever you need them), just brush with egg wash and bake. They taste fresh. You can also freeze the whole rolled log before slicing, which I do when I want them ready to go.

How long do you put pinwheels in the oven?

Same as the first question 18-20 minutes at 400°F. Some recipes say 375°F for 25 minutes, but I've found that higher heat for less time gives you better puff and flakier layers. Lower and slower makes them more bready than crispy. When I tried 375°F, they were okay but not as good.

How long will pinwheels keep in the fridge?

Baked pinwheels last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge, but they're best within the first day or two. After that, the pastry gets softer and loses that crispy texture. I reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to crisp them back up. Never microwave these cold ham and cheese pinwheels they turn into weird, chewy things that don't even taste like what they were.

Party Favorite Made Easy!

Now you have all the tricks to make perfect ham and cheese pinwheels from keeping that pastry cold to rolling it tight for beautiful spirals. These ham and cheese pinwheels puff pastry prove that the best party appetizers don't need fancy skills or weird ingredients. Just good quality puff pastry, deli ham, cheese, and 20 minutes of your time.

Craving more crowd-pleasing recipes? Try our Best Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers Recipe for grilled perfection with tropical flavors. Need an easy weeknight dinner? Our Healthy Hot Honey Feta Chicken Recipe delivers sweet-spicy magic in 30 minutes. Looking for something cozy and comforting? Our The Best Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup Recipe brings warmth to any chilly evening!

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Why I Love This Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Ingredients You'll Need For Ham and Cheese Pinwheels