Roll-ups, pinwheels, party spirals, tortilla wraps. No matter what you call them, these spiral-shaped bites are a fantastic party appetizer for potlucks and get-togethers. You can make pinwheel recipes with any number of ingredients, but we love making these ham and cheese roll-ups when there’s leftover ham in the fridge. Each slice is studded with savory ham and sharp cheddar cheese held together with a seasoned cream cheese.
The best part of these ham and cheese roll-ups is that they’re a perfect make-ahead appetizer recipe. Simply roll up the tortillas, and keep them in the fridge overnight. The whole rolls are easy to transport if you’re heading to a party, and you can slice them just before serving.
Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
- Cream cheese: This spreadable cheese adds a rich and tangy consistency to the filling. Cream cheese is much easier to spread when it’s soft, so leave it on the counter for 35 to 45 minutes. If you forgot, there are other ways to soften cream cheese quickly.
- Sour cream: Sour cream adds a slightly tangy element that balances the other rich ingredients. You only need 1 cup, so use the rest of the container in other sour cream recipes.
- Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese has a sharp, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with salty ham.
- Ham: This is a great recipe to use up leftover ham from your favorite holiday ham recipe. If you don’t have leftovers, feel free to use a ham steak or sliced ham from the deli.
- Flour tortillas: Flour tortillas are soft and flexible, so they’re easy to roll up. Any type of flour tortilla works here, and you can use whole-wheat or flavored tortillas (like spinach tortillas) to give the rolls a splash of color.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the cream cheese filling
Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, onion and garlic powder in a bowl until well combined.
Step 2: Add the ham and cheese
Stir in the cheddar cheese and ham.
Step 3: Roll up the ham and cheese roll-ups
Spread the filling over the tortillas. Roll each one up tightly, and wrap in plastic.
Step 4: Refrigerate
Refrigerate the ham and cheese roll-ups for at least two hours.
Editor’s Tip: Refrigerating the ham and cheese roll-ups gives the onion time to soften. It also chills the cream cheese, which means the roll-ups slice cleanly and the filling won’t ooze out.
Step 5: Slice and serve
Remove the plastic wrap from the roll-ups. Trim the outer ends, and cut the rolls into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
Recipe Variations
- Swap out the meat: Ham and cheese roll-ups taste great with most deli meats, so feel free to swap in turkey, roast beef or salami.
- Add crunch: Give the tortilla roll-ups a crunchy texture with chopped red bell peppers, green onions, pickles or relish.
- Boost the flavor: Start with a flavored cream cheese, or mix in your favorite herbs and spices, like a packet of ranch seasoning or homemade ranch dressing and dip mix.
- Bake the roll-ups: These tortilla roll-ups are meant to be eaten cold. That said, you can warm them up to give them a melty texture, like we do with hot crab pinwheels. Bake the sliced roll-ups in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, until bubbly.
How to Store Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
Store leftover ham and cheese roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Can you make ham and cheese roll-ups ahead of time?
Pinwheel recipes like ham and cheese roll-ups are a great make-ahead party appetizer. Make the roll-ups 24 hours in advance, and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Keep the rolls whole so they’re easy to transport, and slice them just before serving.
Can you freeze ham and cheese roll-ups?
To freeze these ham and cheese roll-ups, wrap the assembled whole roll (unsliced) tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator, then slice as directed.
Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups Tips
How do you keep roll-ups from getting soggy?
Using too much sour cream can make the filling too loose and watery, so be sure to measure the sour cream accurately. If you decide to add any ingredients stored in a jar of brine (like pickles), drain them well before you use them.
How do you keep pinwheels together?
Pinwheels can fall apart if they are not rolled tightly. Don’t skip the plastic wrap step, which keeps the rolls together as the cream cheese solidifies. If your pinwheels do start to unroll after you slice them, don’t worry. Simply skewer each piece with a toothpick to keep the roll together. As a bonus, the toothpicks make the rolls easy to eat on an appetizer platter.
