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Ham and cheese roll ups are a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer made with just 6 simple ingredients. Creamy, savory, and easy to customize, these tortilla pinwheels come together in minutes and work just as well for packed lunches as they do for party spreads.
For more easy pinwheel recipes, try my Chicken Parmesan Pinwheels, Pizza Pinwheels, or Crack Chicken Pinwheels.
4 Tips That Really Matter For These Pinwheels
A few simple tips make the difference between pinwheels that slice cleanly and ones that fall apart. Here’s what to keep in mind before you start rolling.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese. Cold cream cheese won’t spread smoothly and can tear the tortilla. Set it out 30 to 60 minutes before you start, or soften it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Use a large, fresh tortilla. Look for burrito-sized or wraps — smaller or stiff tortillas tend to crack when rolled. Fresh tortillas are more pliable and make rolling much easier.
- Spread the cream cheese all the way to the edges. This is what seals the roll-up shut when you slice it. Leaving a bare edge is the most common reason pinwheels fall apart.
- Chill before slicing. Wrap the rolled log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting. The cream cheese firms back up and holds everything in place for clean, even slices.
recipe walk-through
How To Make Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
These come together quickly with just a few simple steps. Have your cream cheese softened and your tortillas at room temperature before you start for the easiest assembly.
Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a small bowl, whip the cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. Add the pepper and oregano and whip again until the spices are evenly mixed in.
Freshly ground black pepper makes a noticeable difference here if you have it.
Cream Cheese Variation: Chive and Onion or Herb-flavored cream cheese adds a lot of flavor without any extra effort.
Step 2: Spread and Layer
Use a knife or offset spatula to spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortilla, all the way to the edges.
Layer the ham slices first, then the cheese on top.
Different Deli Meats: Ham and cheese is a classic, but turkey, salami, pastrami, pepperoni, or roast beef are all great here.
Cheese Options: Colby Jack is a mild crowd-pleaser, but provolone, cheddar, havarti, muenster, or gouda are all excellent options. Whatever you choose, go with thinly sliced so the tortilla can roll without cracking.
Step 3: Roll It Up
Starting from one end, roll the tortilla up as tightly as you can into a log shape. Wrap the log snugly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
This step makes slicing so much easier and keeps the pinwheels from unraveling.
Flavored Tortillas: Tortilla wraps come in a variety of flavors. Spinach and herb gives you a green wrap, sun-dried tomato gives you a red one. Alternating both colors makes for a fun presentation at parties.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, unwrap the log and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice into wheels about 1 inch thick.
Garnish with fresh parsley if you like, then arrange on a platter with the cut sides facing up. They’re actually quite pretty!
- Want to try a warm, baked version? My Baked Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups use pizza dough and a sweet-savory glaze for a heartier, oven-baked take on the same idea.
Serving Suggestions
These ham and cheese pinwheels are perfect on their own as a snack or party appetizer, but they’re also easy to build into a fuller spread. Pair them with my Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels and Ham and Cheese Sliders for a game day or party table that covers all the bases. For a simple lunch, serve alongside a bag of chips and some fresh fruit.
When it comes to presentation, line your serving tray with a layer of leaf lettuce for color and arrange the pinwheels with the cut sides visible. If you want a little extra visual pop, alternate two different colored tortilla wraps. You can also use toothpicks to skewer a cherry tomato or mini pickle onto each one for easy party presentation.
Storage Tips
Storage and Make Ahead
These pinwheels are great for making ahead, which makes them especially handy for parties and packed lunches.
To make ahead: Assemble and roll the logs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before slicing. Wait to cut them until just before serving for the cleanest results.
Refrigerator: Store sliced pinwheels in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: These freeze surprisingly well. Place the pinwheels in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Check the center before eating since the tortilla thaws faster than the cream cheese filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cheese is best for ham roll ups?
Colby Jack is my go-to because it’s mild, melty, and universally liked. Provolone, cheddar, havarti, muenster, and gouda are all great options too. The most important thing is to use thinly sliced cheese so it lays flat and doesn’t make the roll-up bulky.
How do I keep pinwheels from falling apart?
The key is spreading the cream cheese all the way to the very edge of the tortilla. That’s what holds the pinwheel together when you slice it. Rolling tightly and chilling the log for at least 30 minutes before cutting also makes a big difference. If they’re still giving you trouble, a toothpick in each slice does the job.
How do I prevent soggy pinwheels?
Avoid adding wet ingredients like sliced tomatoes directly into the filling. Wet fillings transfer moisture to the tortilla and make everything soggy. If you want tomatoes, serve them on the side or skewer a cherry tomato on top of each pinwheel with a toothpick. Also, don’t store sliced pinwheels for more than 3 days — the tortilla softens the longer it sits.
More Pinwheels and Party Snacks
- Mexican Pinwheels
- Greek Salad Pinwheels
- Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 2 large burrito-sized flour tortillas
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 12 slices Colby jack cheese thinly sliced
- 12 slices deli ham thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whip the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the pepper and oregano and whip again until evenly combined.
- Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread one-third of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortilla, spreading all the way to the edges.
- Layer ham slices evenly over the cream cheese, then top with cheese slices.
- Starting from one end, roll the tortilla up tightly into a log shape. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Refrigerate the wrapped logs for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- Remove from the fridge, unwrap, and slice into 1-inch wheels using a sharp serrated knife. Arrange with cut sides up on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese. It must be at room temperature before mixing — cold cream cheese won’t spread smoothly and can tear the tortilla.
- Use large, fresh tortillas. Burrito-sized or “wrap” tortillas are more pliable and much easier to roll without cracking.
- Spread to the edges. Cover the tortilla all the way to the edges — this is what seals the roll-up shut when sliced.
- Chill before slicing. This is the key to clean, even pieces. Don’t skip this step.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Make-ahead: Assemble and wrap the logs up to 24 hours ahead. Slice just before serving.
- Avoid soggy pinwheels. Skip wet fillings like tomatoes inside the roll. Serve them on the side instead.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Parsley or oregano?
What are you referring to? Both are in the recipe.
The list of ingredients calls for parsley. No mention of oregano. In the instructions it says oregano. No mention of parsley. I just want to clarify which we are to use.
Sorry for the confusion. Oregano is mixed in with the cream cheese, and parsley is added as an optional garnish.
Sounds amazing! We will be on vacation next week and I am going to make these! Love your recipes!