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Yields:
24 serving(s)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
No matter how many delicious finger foods are crowding the appetizer table, hot and fresh ham and cheese pinwheels will always be the star! There's something about buttery, puffy crescent rolls, sweet and salty ham, and gooey cheese that is just irresistible. Add some ranch cream cheese to the mix and there's a good chance there will be requests for seconds. This hearty swirl is right at home next to other Super Bowl snacks like Buffalo chicken dip and little smokies, but it's also one of the best New Year's Eve appetizers with a glass of champagne!
Are ham and cheese pinwheels difficult to make?
Don’t let these pastries intimidate you—using store-bought crescent roll dough makes them as easy as a roll-up sandwich! Just make sure to use plenty of flour on the board to keep the dough sheet from sticking and keep the rolls as refrigerator-cold as possible. The other ingredients are easily found in the deli and produce sections of any grocery store.
What else can you use to fill pinwheels?
Get creative with these and you'll have endless quick lunch ideas! Swap the cheddar and gruyère cheeses for colby jack, havarti, or gouda, or switch up the meat by using deli turkey or roast beef. Pro tip: Order the meat at the deli counter for the freshest and best results!
Can ham and cheese pinwheels be frozen?
Chilled and sliced pinwheels can be placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet and frozen until firm. Once frozen, place the pinwheels in a plastic zip-top bag and keep frozen for up to 1 month. Simply bake them for a few extra minutes until golden brown and bursting with melty cheese. These are the ultimate secret weapon for hosting. When company starts to arrive, simply pop these in the oven!
How do you store leftover ham and cheese pinwheels?
Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can reheat pinwheels in the microwave or in a 350-degree oven for five to seven minutes.
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Ingredients
Cooking spray
- 2 oz.
cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tbsp.
prepared ranch dressing
- 2
green onions, finely chopped
- 2
(8-oz.) packages crescent roll sheets
- 1 cup
shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup
shredded gruyère cheese, divided
- 8
ounces thinly sliced deli ham, divided
- 1
large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp.
poppy seeds
Directions
- Step 1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper.
- Step 2In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and green onion.
- Step 3On a very lightly floured cutting board, unroll 1 crescent roll sheet. Keep the other sheet refrigerated until ready to use. Use a rolling pin to roll the sheet into an even rectangle, around 12-by-8 inches, with the long sides parallel to the counter.
- Step 4Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the surface of the sheet, leaving a 1-inch border clean on the long side furthest from the edge of the counter. Maintaining the 1-inch border and in individual layers, sprinkle ½ cup of the cheddar cheese and ½ cup of the gruyere cheese over the cream cheese. Lay half of the ham in a single layer on top of the cheese, overlapping if necessary. Brush the clean border with the egg wash.
- Step 5Starting with the long edge closest to the counter, roll the crescent roll sheet into a log, using the side of the crescent roll sheet that has egg wash to pinch and seal the log closed.
- Step 6Wrap the log with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours. Repeat with the remaining crescent roll sheet, cream cheese mixture, cheeses, and ham.
- Step 7Unwrap one chilled log and place it on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, trim the ends of each log and slice each log into 12 rounds. Place the slices into the prepared baking pan. Brush the pinwheels with egg wash and sprinkle with the poppy seeds.
- Step 8Bake until the pinwheels are puffy and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tip: The ham, cheddar, and gruyere cheese can easily be substituted for any other deli favorites including turkey, roast beef, colby jack, havarti, or gouda.
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