Name: Ham Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 flour tortillas; 8 oz cream cheese; 1 cup salsa*; 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese; 1 tsp garlic powder; 2 stalks green onions (chopped); 1 can chopped olives; Ham deli slices

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This may be the easiest appetizer recipe out there. And bonus? The results are EXTRA delicious. With only 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll have the tastiest finger food whipped up in a flash.

These ham and cream cheese pinwheels are tortillas spread with a creamy salsa, pepper jack and olive filling, layered with thin deli ham, rolled tight, chilled and sliced. Fair warning… they will be gone just as fast, if not faster.

The Best Ham and Cheese Pinwheels (Easy Make Ahead Roll Ups)

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels have become one of those things that is requested for every party, holiday, family get together and “just because” occasion that you can think of. Why? Maybe it has to do with them being small, delicious bites of creamy, savory goodness. They are right there at your fingertips and satisfy so many snack cravings all in one place!

But the best part? They are ready in a flash and can be made ahead of time, so it’s a win win for all parties involved. These may just be the perfect appetizer EVER! They are one of my favorite go to snacks, whether it’s just for myself or to bring to a party.

Pinwheels are a snack loved by all ages. Talk about a crowd pleaser! You won’t believe how fast these will be gobbled up. They are also great to keep in the fridge for the perfect after school snack, and they pack nicely into lunches too.

I like to use salsa without added sugar, so make sure to check the ingredients on the label. You can use deli sliced ham of any kind, but if you get it from an actual deli counter, you can ask them to slice it nice and thin for you.

Why You’ll Love These Ham Pinwheels

So easy. About 10 minutes of prep and no cooking at all.
Crowd pleaser. Pinwheels are loved by all ages and disappear fast at any gathering.
Serves a crowd. The recipe is super easy to double or triple for any size party.
Make ahead. Roll them the night before and slice right before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is what goes into these ham and cheese roll ups and why. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

Cream cheese: The creamy base that holds everything together and glues the roll shut. Use regular, full fat cream cheese for easy spreading, and let it soften at room temperature so it beats smooth without lumps.
Salsa: Adds tang, a little heat and flavor to the filling. Use your favorite brand, or take it up a notch with homemade salsa. No sugar added salsa is ideal. A thick, chunky salsa keeps the filling from getting runny, so drain off any extra liquid.
Shredded pepper jack cheese: Freshly shredded pepper jack is the way to go. It adds a tiny hint of heat, and fresh shreds mix in more smoothly than bagged cheese coated in anti caking powder.
Garlic powder: Gives the filling a savory backbone without the sharp bite of raw garlic, and it mixes in evenly with no chopping.
Green onions: Add fresh, mild onion flavor and pretty green flecks. They are also rich in vitamin C and a good source of vitamin K.
Olives: These little guys add a salty, briny pop and healthy fats. If you’re pressed for time, buy them already sliced or chopped. Pat them dry so they don’t water down the filling.
Tortillas: Whole wheat flour tortillas take these tasty morsels to a whole new level of yum. A low carb tortilla or lavash wrap also works. Choose large, soft, fresh tortillas, since they roll without cracking.
Deli ham: Use thinly sliced deli ham of any kind. Thin slices roll up tight and slice cleanly. Look for ham with no preservatives, dyes or additives.

How to Make Ham and Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Beat the cream cheese and salsa. In a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese with the salsa until smooth and creamy with no lumps of cream cheese left. The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon.
Add the mix ins. Add the shredded pepper jack, garlic powder, green onions and olives. Mix just until everything is evenly combined and you see flecks of green onion and olive throughout.
Spread the filling. Lay a tortilla flat and spread several tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture over it in an even layer, all the way to the edges. A thin, even layer keeps the roll tight and stops filling from squeezing out the ends.
Add the ham. Lay slices of ham over the cream cheese in a single layer, covering most of the tortilla.
Roll it up tightly. Starting at the edge closest to you, fold the tortilla over the ham. While holding the fold and applying gentle pressure, keep rolling in the same direction. The tighter the roll, the better the pinwheels hold together when sliced.
Chill. Refrigerate the rolls for at least 20 minutes. Chilling firms up the cream cheese so the slices stay neat and round.
Slice and serve. Trim off the uneven ends, then cut each roll into bite sized pinwheels with a sharp knife. Arrange them cut side up on a platter and serve.

Tip: Use a well sharpened knife to slice the pinwheels. Rinse and dry the knife every few slices to keep the blade clean and get neat cuts.

Ways to Customize Ham Pinwheels

Change the meat. Swap the ham for thinly sliced deli turkey or chicken for an equally tasty pinwheel.
Change the cheese. Pepper jack adds a tiny hint of heat, but any shredded cheese works.
Change the wrap. Use whole wheat, low carb or lavash wraps.

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels FAQs

Can you make pinwheels the night before? Absolutely! In fact, I recommend it. Wrap the rolled tortillas tightly in plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge, then unwrap, slice and serve.
How do you roll tortillas for pinwheels? Start at the edge closest to you and fold it tightly over the ham. Keep gentle pressure and roll in the same direction, as tightly as you can, so the pinwheels don’t fall apart when sliced.
How do you keep pinwheels from drying out? If you are not serving them right away, cover them with plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container.
How long do they last? Store leftovers in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.
How long can they sit out at a party? No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour if it is hotter than 90°F. Set out a few at a time and keep the rest chilled.
Are these ham and cheese roll ups with no bread? Yes. A tortilla or lavash wrap stands in for bread, so they are easy to pack and eat with your fingers.
What should I serve with them? Complete your spread with Veggie Chips, Jalapeno Poppers or Stuffed Mushrooms. For an after school snack, make a batch with Ants on a Log.

Ham Pinwheels with Cream Cheese

Lisa

These ham pinwheels with cream cheese roll a salsa, pepper jack, green onion and olive filling with thin deli ham inside a tortilla. They take about 10 minutes of prep and slice into bite sized party appetizers after a short chill.

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Prep Time 10

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 flour tortillas
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup salsa*
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
2 stalks green onions chopped
1 can chopped olives
Ham deli slices

Instructions

In a mixer cream together the cream cheese and salsa.
Add in cheese, garlic powder, green onions and olives. Mix thoroughly.
Spread several table spoons of cream cheese mixture onto a low carb tortilla or lavish wrap.
Put a layer of ham over the cream cheese then roll up tightly.
Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
Cut up into bite sized pinwheels and enjoy!

Notes

*I like to use salsa without added sugar. Make sure to check the ingredients on the label.
*You can use deli sliced ham of any kind, but if you get it from an actual deli you can ask them to slice it nice and thin for you.

Keyword Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

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