Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Transform your ordinary appetizer pinwheels into a mouth-watering sensation with this ham and cheese version. Experience the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet in every flaky, buttery bite. Crispy edges and a soft center make these pinwheels an addictive treat for any gathering.

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Appetizer pinwheels are a party staple and perfect for casual gatherings and events. This ham and cheese version turns ordinary pinwheels into bite-sized, mouth-watering sensations that always have everyone coming back for more. They are the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, and are a guaranteed hit at your next get-together.

In this recipe, I use puff pastry as the base for these ham and cheese appetizers and layer them with deli ham and Colby Jack cheese to create a delicious filling. The combination of the flaky, buttery pastry, with the melted cheese and juicy ham, creates a very tasty finished product. The glaze, made with a blend of sweet and savory ingredients, provides the perfect finishing touch for these puff pastry ham and cheese pinwheels.

Whether you’re hosting game day or a casual get-together with friends, these ham and cheese pinwheels are a crowd-pleaser. With their crispy edges and soft center, they are an addictive treat that is impossible to resist. So, why settle for ordinary pinwheels when you can have a delicious and sophisticated version that everyone will love?

Recipe Notes

Here are a few tip and tricks about making these ham and cheese pinwheels.

• If you forget to thaw your puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight, you can thaw it on the counter, but if it’s left out too long, it will get sticky and you’ll have to put in the refrigerator to cool down again. Depending on your house temperature, it can take 30-40 minutes to thaw out on the counter. Overnight in the refrigerator is still the best option.
• If your puff pastry cracks while unfolding, use a small amount of water and your finger to repair it.
• Oven temperatures vary, be sure to keep checking on yours so it doesn’t burn.
• Serve immediately after baking, puff pastry always tastes best fresh out of the oven.
• Since this is such a simple recipe, it’s best not to make it ahead of time.
• Use any brand or homemade puff pastry.
• Feel free to substitute with your favorite cheese. I prefer Colby Jack, as it complements the ham and melts well.
• Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well so make sure to shred the cheese yourself.
• You can use other deli meat besides ham.
• Use unsalted butter and low-sodium deli meat to keep the salt count to a minimum.

WINE, BEER, SPIRIT AND COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HAM AND CHEESE PINWHEELS

When looking to pair wines with ham and cheese pinwheels, I look for varietal characteristics I know will complement the rich and savory flavors this recipe has to offer. I have found that light to medium bodied wines, low to moderate tannins wine, fruit-forward profile wines or wines with good acidity all work here for different reasons.

Wine

Here are a few of my varietal wine recommendations for serving with a Ham and Cheese Pinwheel appetizer:

1. Beaujolais: the perfect light to medium body wine that will not overpower the dish, but will provide a refreshing contrast to its richness.
2. Côtes du Rhône: these fruit-forward wines have a cherry-berry flavor profile that will provide a bright and refreshing balance to the savory flavors of the pinwheels.
3. Merlot: the low to moderate tannins will not clash with the rich and buttery texture of the pinwheels. It’s a perfect choice.
4. Pinot Gris: as someone who has made lots of Pinot Gris, I can confirm this is the best high acidity white wine to cut through the richness of the dish and help cleanse the palate between bites. One of my favorites. 

Beer

Here are four of my beer recommendations for serving with Ham and Cheese Pinwheels:

1. Brown Ale: This nutty and toasty brown ale, with hints of caramel, pairs well with the salty, smoky flavors of the ham.
2. Pilsner: A crisp and refreshing pilsner with a moderate bitterness easily cuts through the richness of the cheese.
3. Belgian Dubbel: A slightly sweet and malty beer ,with notes of dark fruit and spices, is really good with the flavors of ham and cheese.
4. Bock: A strong and malty German bock with a rich, toasty flavor is a GREAT choice. The full-bodied nature of this beer stands up well to the hearty flavors of the pinwheels. A favorite when I can find it.

Spirits

Here are some of my spirit recommendations for serving with Ham and Cheese Pinwheels:

1. Whiskey: Bourbon or Irish. You want it to be smooth and a slightly smoky to go with the salty, smoky flavors of the ham.
2. Brandy: Something rich and flavorful with notes of vanilla and caramel to complement savory flavors, while also adding a touch of sweetness to balance out the saltiness of the ham and cheese.
3. Vermouth: A dry and aromatic vermouth with lots of hints of herbs and spices would be a good choice. It would help cut through the richness of the cheese and bring out the flavors of the ham.
4. Gin: Aim for one with a bright, fresh flavor profile, such as a London Dry Gin. It will balance out the rich flavors of the pinwheels with its crisp and clean taste.

Cocktails

Here are a few of my cocktail recommendations for serving with Ham and Cheese Pinwheels:

1. Manhattan: A classic Manhattan made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters pairs well with the salty, smoky flavors of the ham.
2. Bloody Mary: A spicy and savory Bloody Mary made with vodka, tomato juice and various spices and seasonings complements the flavors of this recipe and help cut through the richness of the cheese.
3. Martini: A classic gin or vodka Martini, with a touch of vermouth, provides a crisp and refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the pinwheels.
4. Sazerac: A Sazerac made with whiskey, bitters and absinthe is a bold and flavorful pairing, with the anise notes of the absinthe adding a complementary flavor to the salty, smoky ham.

Let me know if you try any of these.

More Appetizers to Serve Alongside Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

So many good things to serve with a batch of these pinwheels.

• Jalapeno Popper Dip
• Pull-Apart Bacon Bread
• Gooey Pizza Dip
• Hot Italian Dip
• Maple Glazed Sausage Bites
• Roasted Garlic Bruschetta
• Crab and Chive Puffs
• Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

The Best Ham and Cheese Appetizer!

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Print Recipe

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Transform your ordinary appetizer pinwheels into a mouth-watering sensation with this ham and cheese version. Experience the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet in every flaky, buttery bite. Crispy edges and a soft center make these pinwheels an addictive treat for any gathering.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Thawing of Puff Pastry1 day d

Total Time1 day d 30 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Servings: 12 pieces

Calories: 267kcal

Author: Cathy

Ingredients

Pinwheels:

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 3/4 lbs. thin-sliced deli ham (approximately 15 slices) (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, (shred yourself)
• salt and pepper to taste

Glaze:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp. golden brown sugar
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

• For best results, thaw puff pastry overnight in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly roll out the puff pastry sheet by dusting the top with a little flour, then use a rolling pin to very lightly roll across the seams and bumps from the packaging and make the pastry even.
• Starting at the bottom, place ham onto the puff pastry sheet, slightly overlapping the slices while going towards the top. Fold under or cut off any excess ham at the top, there should not be any ham hanging over the edges of the puff pastry sheet.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the ham and season with salt and pepper.
• Use butter or cooking spray to grease the insides of each cavity of a muffin tin.
• Roll puff pastry tightly and slice into 12 equal pieces, placing each piece in the muffin tin, sliced side facing up.
• In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients and brush over pinwheels.
• Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until puff pastry has risen and is golden brown.
• Remove from oven and serve.

Notes

Nutrition information is only an estimation and variation will occur based on the ingredients/brands you use. Assuming you remove most of the fat from the pork, calories are going to be a lot lighter than what's shown.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Amount Per Serving (78 g)

Calories 267 Calories from Fat 183

% Daily Value*

Fat 20.3g31%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g

Monounsaturated Fat 2.7g

Cholesterol 44.5mg15%

Sodium 351mg15%

Potassium 126mg4%

Carbohydrates 12.6g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3.1g3%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 122.5IU2%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 75.9mg8%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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