Hot Ham And Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Hot Ham & Cheese Pinwheels Recipe Made Extra Tasty

Sometimes a classic ham and cheese pinwheels recipe can spark unexpected culinary excitement in your kitchen.

These delightful spiraled treats combine simple ingredients with playful presentation.

Soft dough wraps around savory ham and melted cheese, creating a compact and irresistible bite-sized marvel.

Minimal preparation means maximum enjoyment for anyone seeking quick party snacks or casual lunch options.

Gathering friends around a plate of these golden-brown pinwheels guarantees smiles and satisfied appetites.

Each rolled bundle delivers a perfect balance of rich flavors and comforting textures.

Rush to the kitchen and start rolling – these pinwheels are about to become your new favorite crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients for Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Base Dough:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: Soft, pliable foundation for pinwheels, easily rolled and shaped, great for quick appetizers.
Protein and Cheese:
  • Ham Slices, Cheese Slices: Classic savory combination providing rich flavor and protein, lean ham works best, choose sliced cheese that melts well like swiss or provolone.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment adding tangy depth, optional but recommended for extra flavor.
  • Melted Butter: Provides golden brown color and rich taste, helps achieve crispy exterior.
  • Poppy Seeds: Optional decorative topping, adds subtle nutty crunch and visual interest.

How to Make Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Easily

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Ensure the surface is clean and ready for dough preparation.

Step 2: Create Dough Base

Roll out crescent roll dough on a flat surface. Gently press seams together to form a smooth, single sheet of dough. This creates a perfect canvas for your pinwheels.

Step 3: Add Flavor Enhancer

Spread Dijon mustard across the entire dough surface. This optional step adds a tangy kick to your pinwheels.

Step 4: Layer Tasty Ingredients

Arrange ham slices over the dough, covering completely:
  • Thin ham slices
  • Cheese slices

Ensure full coverage for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Roll into Perfect Pinwheels

Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a compact log. Use steady, even pressure to create a uniform roll.

Step 6: Slice and Arrange

Cut the rolled log into 1-inch thick pinwheel sections. Place each slice carefully on the prepared baking sheet, leaving small gaps between them.

Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

Brush pinwheel tops with melted butter. Sprinkle poppy seeds over the surface for extra texture and visual appeal.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until pinwheels turn golden brown and cheese becomes wonderfully bubbly.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool briefly. Serve warm as a delightful appetizer or snack that everyone will love.

Handy Tips for Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

  • Seal the Seams Carefully: Press crescent roll dough edges together firmly to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
  • Customize Mustard Magic: Experiment with different mustard varieties like whole grain or spicy brown for extra flavor complexity.
  • Cheese Selection Matters: Use shredded cheese or thin slices that melt easily for the best gooey texture and even distribution.
  • Control Slice Thickness: Cut pinwheels consistently at 1-inch intervals to ensure uniform cooking and professional-looking presentation.
  • Prevent Sticking Smartly: Use parchment paper or lightly grease the baking sheet to help pinwheels release easily after baking.

Keeping Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Fresh

  • Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Warm pinwheels at 350F for 57 minutes, ensuring they're heated through and crispy.
  • Quickly reheat individual pinwheels for 2030 seconds, but expect slightly softer texture.
  • Wrap cooled pinwheels tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

  • Match these hot ham and cheese pinwheels with a chilled sauvignon blanc, whose citrusy notes cut through the richness of the cheese and complement the tangy Dijon mustard.
  • Serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a bright vinaigrette, adding refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy pinwheels and balancing the meal's richness.
  • Add a side of tangy dill pickles or quick-pickled vegetables to provide a sharp, acidic counterpoint that enhances the savory flavors of the pinwheels and cleanses the palate.
  • Pair with a cold sparkling water or light craft beer to help cleanse the palate and highlight the pinwheels' buttery, cheesy goodness.

New Ideas for Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace crescent roll dough with gluten-free crescent dough or use almond flour-based wrap for a celiac-friendly option.
  • Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Swap crescent roll dough with thin sliced ham as the wrap, using cream cheese as a binding agent and adding low-carb cheese varieties.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute ham with roasted bell peppers, spinach, and plant-based cheese slices for a meat-free pinwheel experience.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese slices, keeping the ham or replacing it with turkey slices for protein.

Why Everyone Loves Hot Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

  • Perfect for whipping up delicious appetizers in less than 20 minutes.
  • Requires just a few ingredients and simple rolling technique, making it ideal for beginner cooks.
  • Adapts easily to different gatherings like game day, potlucks, kids' parties, or casual family snacks.
  • Can swap ham for different meats, add herbs, or experiment with various cheese types to suit individual preferences.
Print
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Hot Ham And Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Hot Ham And Cheese Pinwheels Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Savory hot ham and cheese pinwheels bring irresistible flavor spiraling into your kitchen with minimal effort. Cheesy, portable rolls deliver comfort and satisfaction for quick lunch or party snacking that guests will absolutely love.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 8 slices deli ham

Cheese:

  • 8 slices Swiss cheese (or your favorite cheese)

Dough and Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for easy removal.
  2. Unroll the crescent roll dough on a clean work surface, carefully pressing all seams together to create a unified rectangular sheet.
  3. If desired, apply a thin, even layer of Dijon mustard across the entire dough surface, which will add a tangy flavor foundation.
  4. Arrange ham slices in a complete coverage pattern over the mustard-coated dough, ensuring no gaps remain.
  5. Distribute cheese slices uniformly atop the ham layer, creating a consistent dairy blanket.
  6. Carefully roll the dough from the longest edge, maintaining a tight and compact cylindrical shape while eliminating air pockets.
  7. Using a sharp knife, divide the rolled log into uniform 1-inch pinwheel sections, placing them cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Gently brush the pinwheel tops with melted butter for a golden sheen, and optionally sprinkle poppy seeds for additional texture and visual appeal.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and bubbling cheese indicating complete cooking.
  10. Remove from oven, allow brief cooling, and serve while warm for optimal flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

  • Customize the dough by using gluten-free crescent roll dough for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Select high-quality deli ham and cheese for maximum flavor and better texture in your pinwheels.
  • Prevent uneven baking by ensuring all pinwheels are roughly the same size when slicing the log.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and keep the recipe exciting.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 240
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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