When you need a simple and delicious snack or party starter, ham cheese puff pastry pinwheels are always a hit. These savory bites feature flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around layers of melty cheese and savory ham, making them perfect for gatherings, casual get-togethers, or even weekend brunch. Easy to prepare and always impressive, these little pinwheels bake up golden and crisp every time. Once you make them, they’re sure to become one of your favorite go-to recipes for entertaining!
These ham and cheese appetizers are an easy and irresistible choice for party snacks. Perfect for celebrating a holiday like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, and also hosting a casual game day or firing up the grill for a summer BBQ, these cheesy pinwheels fit right in. Each bite is packed with savory ham, gooey cheese, and a touch of sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce — all wrapped in flaky pastry that melts in your mouth. Not only are they simple to make, but these ham and cheese pinwheels with puff pastry are also perfect for prepping ahead and baking fresh when guests arrive. No matter the occasion, this crowd-friendly appetizer checks every box.
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Why We Love These Ham and Cheese Appetizers
- They are quick, easy, and perfect for your next event!
Like our top rated tater tots appetizer cups, double or triple the recipe as needed so everyone gets to enjoy them. With minimal prep you’ll have enough tasty appetizers for a large crowd. - If you’re a fan of ham and cheese sliders, this ham and cheese pinwheels with puff pastry will quickly become your new favorite snack or appetizer.
- Everyone will love these baked pinwheels with ham and cheese!
From child to adult everyone will be satisfied with this filling appetizer.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Egg: mixed with water to make an egg wash, it gives the baked puff pastry the ideal crispy golden topping.
- Unsalted butter: I recommend using unsalted butter as the other ingredients like deli ham and cheese tend to have a lot of sodium in them. If you prefer using salted butter, omit the added salt.
- Dijon mustard: gives these hot ham and cheese pinwheels the ideal tangy flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: provides rich flavoring. If you need a suitable substitution, use an equal amount of soy sauce.
- Honey: always pairs well with Dijon mustard – I mean who doesn’t love honey mustard? To substitute the honey, use brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Seasonings: for the best flavors. Although we like using garlic powder, use onion powder or your favored seasoning.
- Puff pastry: find it in your grocery freezer section. Store-bought puff pastry is what separates this delicious ham and cheese pinwheels recipe from ones using flour tortillas or crescent roll dough.
- Sliced deli ham: or use thinly sliced turkey, roast beef, or chicken instead.
- Shredded cheese: Mozzarella, Gouda. cheddar cheese, Gruyere, or Swiss cheese. These cheeses tend to provide the best melty cheese and cheese-pull experience.
Recipe Variations
- Drizzle our hot honey mustard sauce over the top of ham and cheese appetizers before serving.
- Turkey puff pastry pinwheels: swap out the sliced deli ham for sliced leftover turkey. This is the perfect way to use up any leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
- Beef pinwheels: Substitute thinly sliced deli roast beef for the ham. Pair it with sliced Provolone for cheesy roast beef rollups.
- Ham and cream cheese pinwheels: Instead of melted butter, mix in 2 ounces of softened cream cheese with the mustard, Worcestershire, honey, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then spread the cream cheese mixture in a thin layer on the rolled out puff pastry in place of the melted butter mixture.
Equipment Used in This Recipe
- Baking sheet (or a large, shallow baking pan) for baking
- Parchment paper or cooking spray for preventing sticking
- Small bowl and medium bowl for mixing the sauces
- Cutting board to roll out the puff pastry and cut the rolled pinwheels
- Serrated knife for cutting the roll into bite sized pieces before baking
- Table spoon or silicone spatula for spreading the mustard sauce mixture.
- Pastry brush for spreading the butter mixture.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels with Puff Pastry
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Then, prepare the baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the egg wash in a small bowl and set it aside. Next, mix the butter, mustard, Worcestershire, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl until well mixed.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Warm your honey before using. Warm honey is easier to measure and mix together with other ingredients! Add the container of honey to a bowl of hot water while you’re assembling your ingredients and it will be ready when you need it.
- Unroll the puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a floured or non-stick rolling pin to evenly roll the puff pastry into a square approximately 12″ x 12″.
- Use a table spoon or silicone spatula to spread the butter mixture onto the puff pastry, leaving a 1/2 inch gap on the sides. Top the puff pastry with the ham, then the cheese. Carefully roll the puff pastry up jelly roll style into a long roll.
Cut the roll into 16-18 pinwheels about 3/4″ thick using a serrated knife. Transfer the pinwheels onto the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart and brush the roll ups with the egg wash.
- Bake the ham and cheese puff pastry pinwheels for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Top with parsley and sliced green onions (optional). Serve and enjoy.
This dish is perfect for gatherings! If you enjoy it, you’ll love our charcuterie appetizers and pigs in a blanket wreath recipes too.
Serving Suggestions
These ham cheese puff pastry pinwheels are perfect served warm right out of the oven, when the cheese is melted and the pastry is golden and flaky. Arrange them on a platter together with pizza and other easy appetizers. Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions for a pop of color. They pair wonderfully with dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, spinach dip, tomato dip, or even a light garlic aioli for added flavor. For a complete spread, serve alongside other ham, bacon, salami, and cheese appetizers, fresh veggie sticks, or a crisp green salad. Hosting a brunch? Add them to your table with fruit, scrambled eggs, or pastries for a savory touch.
Looking for more crowd-pleasing recipes like these pinwheels? Check out our list of 40+ finger food ideas—packed with easy and delicious bites that are perfect potluck recipes for any parties and gatherings!
Recipe FAQs
You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container (or cover with plastic wrap) and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yes! Follow the recipe steps 1-6, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, bake them just before serving.
Cover them with foil and reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 350° F for 4-7 minutes or until crispy and heated through.
Yes, you can use roast beef, turkey, or chicken. Just be sure that the deli meats are thinly sliced.
I would allow at least 2 pinwheel rollups per person.
You’ll Love These Hot Appetizers…
If you tried this baked ham and cheese roll ups recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Ham Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Equipment
- rimmed baking sheet - or a shallow, large baking pan
- parchment paper or cooking spray
- small and medium bowls
- serrated knife
- cutting board
- table spoon or silicone spatula
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted. If using salted butter, omit the salt.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or use brown sugar or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry (one sheet) thawed
- 6 slices deli ham or use sliced roast beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
optional
- 1 tablespoon sliced green onion
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the egg and water together. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl add the butter, mustard, Worcestershire, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Set aside.
- Unroll the puff pastry and place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a floured or non-stick rolling pin to evenly roll the puff pastry into a square approximately 12" x 12".
- Use a table spoon or silicone spatula to spread the butter mixture onto the puff pastry, but leave a 1/2 inch on the sides. Top the puff pastry with the ham and then the cheese. Then carefully roll the puff pastry up into a jelly roll.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the roll into 16-18 pinwheels, each about 3/4" thick. Transfer the pinwheels onto the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
- Coat the pinwheels with the egg wash using a pastry brush.
- Bake the pinwheels for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Top with parsley and sliced green onions (optional). Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Warm your honey before using. Warm honey is easier to measure and mix together with other ingredients! Add the container of honey to a bowl of hot water while you’re assembling your ingredients and it will be ready when you need it.
- Turkey Puff Pastry Pinwheels: swap out the sliced deli ham and use a layer of shredded turkey.
- Beef Pinwheels: Substitute thinly sliced deli roast beef for the ham. Pair it with sliced Provolone.
- Ham and Cream Cheese Pinwheels: Instead of melted butter, mix in 2 ounces of softened cream cheese with the mustard, Worcestershire, honey, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then spread the cream cheese mixture in a thin layer on the rolled out puff pastry in place of the melted butter mixture.
- Follow the recipe steps 1-6, then cover completely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, bake them just before serving.
- You can keep the leftovers in an air-tight contained in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 350° F for 4-7 minutes or until crispy and heated through.
Nutrition
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Rachel says
I love buying pinwheels at Costco, but it gets expensive, when I saw this I knew I had to make it. These tasted incredible, the crispy puff pastry is way better than tortillas!