Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

These easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are a quick and tasty snack. Enjoy them for game day, picnics, light meals and holiday parties.

Ingredients to Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

These pinwheels are the kind of two-bite appetizer that everyone loves. They’re ideal for make-ahead preparation as they need time to chill and firm prior to serving. These roll-ups aren’t baked, you simply assemble them and then pop them into the fridge until you’re ready to slice and enjoy. Ingredients to make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels with tortillas: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Ham – You’ll need thinly sliced deli ham. I used smoked ham off the bone.
Tortillas – 4 large burrito size flour tortillas.
Cream Cheese – Chive and onion cream cheese is easy to spread and adds onion flavor.
Mustard – Honey mustard adds a hint of tangy sweetness.
Seasonings – Granulated garlic or garlic powder and garlic salt.
Cheese – Finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Grate your own for the best flavor.
Onion – Green onions add color and a mild onion flavor.

Do Pinwheel Sandwiches Get Soggy?

These ham and cheese pinwheels won’t get soggy. If you’re concerned, you can store them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to draw any unwanted moisture away from them.

how-do-you-make-ham-and-cheese-tortilla-pinwheels

How to Make the BEST Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Chop the Ham: Use a sharp knife to chop the ham. Divide into 4 portions. Set aside.
Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: Whip together the cream cheese, honey mustard, granulated garlic and garlic salt until smooth.
Add Cheese and Onions: Use a large spoon or silicone spatula to mix in the cheddar cheese and green onions. Fold together until evenly distributed.
Assemble Ham and Cheese Roll Ups: Lay the tortillas on a flat surface.
Divide the Filling: Dollop the filling on the tortillas. Spread evenly from end to end leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Top with Ham: Layer the cream cheese mixture topping with the diced ham. Divide the ham evenly between the four tortillas.
Roll Evenly: Firmly roll-up the tortillas, re-shaping as you roll.
Wrap in Plastic Wrap: Wrap individually in plastic wrap or place side by side in an airtight container.
Refrigerate: Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm.
Slice into Servings: Use a sharp knife to cut each tortilla into 10-12 even pieces.

Tips for Making the BEST Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Sharp knife and cutting board, cheese grater, offset spatula, hand mixer, medium bowl, measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Burrito Size Tortillas: These ham and cheese tortilla rolls-ups are made using burrito size flour tortillas. You could use a different size, simply divide the ingredients evenly between smaller tortillas. Obviously, the yield will be different.
Adapt the Amount of Ham to Your Taste: These pinwheels are very forgiving in that you can use more, or less ham, according to your personal preference.
Grate Your Own Cheese: For the best flavor, grate your own cheese. Freshly grated cheese has more moisture and will add a level of freshness to the flavor.
How Do I Keep My Pinwheels from Falling Apart? It’s important to roll the pinwheels evenly gently pressing as you go. Also, allow ample chill time so the cream cheese mixture can firm, prior to slicing them apart.

Recipe Variations

Ham: I used smoked ham in this recipe since there’s plenty of sweetness from the honey mustard. You can use honey ham or brown sugar, if that’s your preference. You can also use leftover holiday ham.
Protein: You could also swap out ham for turkey, salami or roast beef.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is classic. You could use colby jack cheese, swiss cheese, gouda, havarti or pepper jack cheese for spice.
Mustard: You could use Dijon mustard or whole grain mustard in place of honey mustard. You will need to use less so begin with 1/4 cup and taste before adding more.
Green Onions: You could use fresh chives in place of green onions. When doing so, add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder to the cream cheese mixture.
Herbs: You could add fresh parsley or chopped rosemary to the cream cheese mixture.
Tortillas: Burrito size tortillas are typically made from flour. You could adapt using whole wheat tortillas or wraps. This will effect the yield and how you divide the filling but the assembly instructions remain the same.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers: Place Ham and Cheese Pinwheels in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If stacking, place wax paper or parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking together.
Freezer: I’ve frozen these pinwheels for up to 1 month, but I will say that when thawing, they can become a bit soggy. I thought this was likely due to the fact that freezing them changes the texture of the cream cheese filling. So you can freeze them, but I just wanted to let you know my experience. Due to this, I typically make them and we finish them off while they’re fresh.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Make

These Loaded French Fries can be enjoyed as a side dish or an appetizer.
This Greek Whipped Feta Dip is light and refreshing.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs can be enjoyed with picks as an appetizer or over rice as an entrée.
These Shrimp Toasts are always the hit of the party.
These Sausage Cream Cheese Bites are made with puff pastry.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls are an Italian favorite.
Who can resist Southern Hush Puppies.
Use this Easy Corn Salsa as a topping for tacos and salads or with tortilla chips for dipping.
These Garlic Cheese Rolls are stuffed with melty cheese before being brushed with melted butter and baked until golden brown.

Thanks for visiting come back soon!

Disclosure ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Helpful Kitchen Items: