Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

This Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe starts with a flavorful mixture of cream cheese, Cheddar, bacon, ranch mix, and red pepper. Spread over tortillas and then top with deli ham, roll, and chill. Once firm, the rolls are cut into bite-sized pinwheels, making for a tasty and convenient lunch, snack, or appetizer that’s easy to prepare in advance.

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Pinwheels are the ultimate game-changer when it comes to fun lunches or appetizers! They’re like the cooler, more-flavorful cousin of the regular old PB&J. Not only do they have a unique swirl that’s fun visually, but they’re also customizable with pretty much any fillings you can dream up! Pinwheels are way more adventurous and fun than your standard lunchtime sandwich.

Plus, these pinwheels are easy to handle, making them perfect finger food. Whether you’re packing lunch or prepping for a party, pinwheels are a solid choice that’ll make mealtime way more exciting!

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Ingredients

• Cream cheese: Go for full-fat cream cheese for a richer flavor and thicker consistency. Make sure it’s softened before use or you’ll end up with a less-than-ideal texture.
• Sharp Cheddar cheese: Freshly grating the cheese will enhance the flavor when compared to using pre-shredded cheese, which typically contains anti-caking agents that affect the texture.
• Ranch seasoning mix: Instead of calling out a long list of spices, we use a packet instead. I highly recommend Hidden Valley® Ranch seasoning packets; in my experience, they have the best flavor without being too salty (not sponsored).

Ingredients, Continued

• Center-cut bacon: This cut typically has more meat and less fat than regular bacon, but any type of cooked and crumbled bacon will work. See “quick tip” box below!
• Red bell pepper: Dicing the pepper into small pieces will distribute the flavor better and make rolling easier. You can also consider using other colored peppers for a different flavor profile or to add more color.
• Deli ham: Choose thinly sliced ham, as it will roll easier and create a more balanced flavor. Feel free to substitute with your favorite deli meat if you prefer.
• Burrito-sized tortillas: The large size is essential for creating a substantial roll. Spinach tortillas can add a bit more nutrition, but regular flour tortillas work just as well. Make sure your tortillas are fresh and pliable to prevent them from breaking when rolling. You can warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave if needed.

How To Make Ham And Cheese Pinwheels (Tips)

• Make sure the cream cheese is properly softened for easy mixing with the rest of the ingredients. You can speed up the softening process by placing the unwrapped block of cream cheese on a microwave-safe plate and microwaving it for 15-20 seconds, flipping it over, and giving it another 10 seconds if necessary.
• For mixing, an electric hand mixer can be a real timesaver and it guarantees an evenly blended mixture. However, if you don’t have one, mixing by hand is totally doable. Just make sure the cream cheese is very soft and keep stirring with a wooden spoon until you achieve a smooth, well-blended consistency.
• When it comes to grating the cheese, using a food processor with a grating attachment can save you a heap of time. There’s nothing quite like the flavor of freshly grated cheese, but it can be a bit of a chore to do by hand, so this method really comes in handy.

Tips Continued

• Prevent sogginess: To avoid soggy pinwheels, especially if you’re making them ahead of time, make sure your ingredients are dry. For instance, if you’re using any vegetables, pat them dry after washing them.
• Rolling technique: When rolling your pinwheels, try to keep the roll as tight as possible. This keeps the fillings in place and creates a better pinwheel shape when cut.
• Cutting tips: Use a sharp serrated knife to cut your pinwheels; it will allow cleaner cuts without squishing. Also, chilling the rolls before cutting can make this step easier and neater.
• Experiment with flavors: Don’t be afraid to mix up the flavors in your pinwheels. Try different cheeses, deli meats, or spreads to find your favorite combinations.

What To Serve Alongside Ham And Cheese Pinwheels

Pinwheels are a versatile dish and pair well with a variety of sides. Depending on the occasion and your preferences, you can serve them with:

• Dips: A range of dips like hummus, ranch dressing, or guacamole complement the flavors of your pinwheels nicely.
• Fresh veggies: Crunchy raw vegetables like bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, and celery sticks provide a refreshing contrast.
• Fruit: Fresh fruit or a fruit salad add a sweet, refreshing balance to the savory pinwheels.
• Chips: A simple side of potato chips, tortilla chips, or even pretzels adds a nice crunch to the meal.
• Salads: Green garden salads, pasta salad, or coleslaw make a more filling accompaniment.
• Soup: If you’re serving the pinwheels as a main dish, a comforting bowl of soup can be a wonderful side, especially in cooler weather.

More Easy Lunch Recipes:

• BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe in 15 minutes or less!
• Chicken Caesar Wrap with four ingredients
• Tuna Salad Wrap with crunchy veggies
• Air Fryer Sandwich made four different ways!
• Cucumber Sandwich with the best easy spread!

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5 from 11 votes

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

By Chelsea Lords

This Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe starts with a flavorful mixture of cream cheese, Cheddar, bacon, ranch mix, and red pepper. Spread over the tortillas, then top with deli ham, roll, and chill. Once firm, the rolls are cut into bite-sized pinwheels, making for a tasty and convenient lunch, snack, or appetizer that's easy to prepare in advance.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 30 pinwheels

Ingredients 

USMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 package (8 oz) full-fat, brick-style cream cheese, softened (Note 1)
• ▢ 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dry ranch mix (Note 2)
• ▢ 6 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (or use microwave bacon!)
• ▢ ⅓ cup diced red pepper
• ▢ ½ pound thinly sliced deli ham
• ▢ 3 large (12-inch) burrito tortillas (spinach or flour)

Instructions 

• CREAM CHEESE SPREAD: Combine the softened cream cheese, freshly grated Cheddar cheese, dry ranch mix, cooked and crumbled bacon, and diced red pepper. Use an electric hand mixer to ensure a smooth mixture.
  
• ASSEMBLE: Set out three large tortillas. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among these tortillas, making sure to spread it across the entire surface. Next, divide the ham evenly, placing it on top of the spread in a single layer.
  
• ROLL-UP: Roll up each tortilla gently, yet tightly, to ensure it holds together and retains its shape. Once rolled, wrap each one in plastic wrap.
• ENJOY: Refrigerate the wrapped tortillas for 30 minutes to firm up the cream cheese. Afterward, cut off and discard the ends of each tortilla roll, then slice the remaining roll into even 1-inch slices, using a sharp serrated knife for best results.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Cream cheese: Go for full-fat Philadelphia® cream cheese for a richer flavor and thicker consistency. Make sure it's softened before use or you'll end up with a less-than-ideal texture. You can expedite the softening process by placing the unwrapped block of cream cheese on a microwave-safe plate and microwaving it for 15-20 seconds, flipping it over, and giving it another 10 seconds if necessary.

Note 2: Ranch seasoning mix: We're just adding the DRY seasoning mix here (don't prepare the mix!). I highly recommend Hidden Valley® Ranch seasoning packets; in my experience, they have the best flavor without being overly salty (not sponsored).

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 247mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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