Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

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These Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are made with seasoned cream cheese spread, fresh slices of deli ham, and cheese rolled up on tortillas and cut into pieces. Pinwheels are a fun appetizer or snack that is quick and easy and perfect for any occasion. Make them ahead of time for parties!

Pinwheel recipes are always a great option for an appetizer or snack that comes together quickly and won’t take much effort. Is there anything better than a quick and easy appetizer? Finger foods like pinwheels tend to go over well for parties which is why I love these little ham and cheese pinwheels.

ham and cheese pinwheels on a plate

This isn’t much of a “recipe,” but rather a method. You can swap out meats and cheeses however you’d like, and use all kinds of tortillas. I used sun-dried tomato and garden herb tortillas this time around, but there are so many more options these days.

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Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Ingredients

Part of what makes this pinwheel recipe so wonderful is how simple and customizable the ingredients are. It is easy to mix things up depending on what you like and what you have on hand, or to make a variety of different pinwheels!

You will notice I didn’t specify amounts of meats or cheeses because it all depends on your taste. I used one layer of meat and two different cheeses, but if you like more meat, you can add more. It all depends on what you like your meat-to-cheese ratio to be.

  • Deli-sliced ham: You can also use sliced turkey or roast beef.
  • Slices of cheese: Cheddar, white cheddar, colby jack, pepper jack, or Havarti would all work to make pinwheels. Whatever kind of cheese you like and have on hand can be used.
  • Cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so it is soft. This will make it easiest to mix and to spread.
  • Mayonnaise: Regular or light mayo will work.
  • Seasonings: This particular recipe for ham and cheese pinwheels is exceptionally delicious because of the homemade cream cheese spread. The spread is seasoned with a little dill weed, some onion powder, and garlic powder and it compliments these wraps perfectly!
  • Tortillas: Flour tortillas work best because they hold their shape better compared to corn tortillas. You can use flavored tortillas (sundried tomato and garden herb are delicious) or plain.
ham and cheese pinwheels ingredients

How to Make Pinwheels

It is so easy to make delicious pinwheels with ham and cheese. The key to a good pinwheel is to roll them correctly. Here is a brief overview of how these easy pinwheels come together. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Make the filling. Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed, garlic powder, and onion powder and mix until blended well.
  2. Spread the filling on the tortillas. Spread it out well so that the whole tortilla has a thin layer of the cream cheese spread.
  3. Add the meat and cheese. Place a few slices of deli ham to cover the width of the tortilla. On top of the ham, place a layer of cheese to cover the width of the tortilla. This ensures that each pinwheel has meat and cheese. See the photo above.
  4. Roll the pinwheels. Make sure to roll them tightly. Cut off a small portion of each end and discard, then cut the remaining rolled tortilla into 6-8 slices, about 1 inch thick. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
ham and cheese pinwheels

Serving Pinwheels

The great thing with these pinwheels is that they are pretty cheap to make and go a long way. Have you seen pinwheel trays already prepared at the grocery store? I have and let me tell you, they aren’t cheap. I saw one tray that looked nearly identical to the pinwheels pictured here, for $35.00! Really? $35.00 for some ham and cheese rolled up in a tortilla? You can make a bunch with this recipe for probably about $10.00. Now we’re talkin’!

Each tortilla yields about 8 pinwheels. If you use four tortillas, you’ve already got 32 pinwheels.

Can I make Pinwheels the day before?

One of the most common questions readers ask when they are making pinwheels for a party is can I make pinwheels the day before? The answer is yes! It is perfectly ok to make pinwheels about 24 hours ahead of time. However, I wouldn’t make them more than a day in advance to ensure that your pinwheels won’t be soggy. Making them ahead of time is a great way to prep for a party or an event.

Be sure to store pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Always use your best judgement when storing and eating leftovers.

ham and cheese pinwheels on a plate with bowl of seasoned cream cheese, ham and cheese pinwheels, and slices of cheese surrounding.

Other Simple Pinwheels Recipes

Along with these Ham and Cheese Pinwheels, check out these other simple pinwheels recipes!

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4.12 from 9 votes

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

These Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are made with seasoned cream cheese spread, fresh slices of deli ham, and cheese rolled up on tortillas and cut into pieces. Pinwheels are a fun appetizer or snack that is quick and easy and perfect for any occasion. Make them ahead of time for parties!
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • Deli sliced ham or other meats of your choice
  • Cheese slices I used white and yellow american
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tsp dill weed
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

Instructions 

  • In a medium sized bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until blended well.
  • Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture on your tortilla. Spread it out well so that the whole tortilla has a thin layer.
  • Down the middle of the tortilla, place a few slices of deli ham to cover the width of the tortilla. On top of the ham, place a layer of cheese to cover the width of the tortilla. This ensures that each pinwheel has meat and cheese.
  • Roll up the tortilla tightly. Cut off a small portion of each end and discard, then cut the remaining rolled tortilla into 6-8 slices, about 1 inch thick. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Notes

I didn’t specify amounts of meats or cheeses because it all depends on your taste. I used one layer of meat and two different cheeses, but if you like more meat, you can add more. It all depends on what you like your meat-to-cheese ratio to be.
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Hi, I’m Ashley & I’m so happy you’re here!

Ashley is the founder of CenterCutCook and a former teacher that now spends her days in the kitchen so that she can share her favorite recipes with you!