Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/14/23
ham and cheese pinwheels

 Leah Maroney

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 9 servings
Yield: 9 pinwheels
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
203 Calories
9g Fat
19g Carbs
11g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 9
Amount per serving
Calories 203
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 487mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 98mg 8%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 94mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Ham and cheese pinwheels are insanely easy appetizers that only take eight ingredients (one is which is store-bought pizza dough!). It's easy to throw them together in no time, they're a big crowd-pleaser, and you can even make them in advance. The pinwheels can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and reheated right before your party.

Adults and kids will really enjoy these tasty morsels, which have a touch of garlic and Italian seasoning for flavor. They're cheesy, salty, and crunchy—you probably won't be able to eat just one!

Ingredients

  • 1 (11-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough

  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1/2 pound honey ham, deli sliced

  • 1 large egg

  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

  • Marinara sauce, for serving, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
    Leah Maroney 

  2. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Add the garlic and Italian Seasoning to the olive oil.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
     Leah Maroney

  3. Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough into a large rectangle and cut off any uneven edges if you wish. Even spread the olive oil mixture over the dough.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
     Leah Maroney

  4. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese over the entire surface of the dough.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
     Leah Maroney

  5. Cover the surface of the cheese with the deli ham.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
    Leah Maroney 

  6. Sprinkle the surface of the ham with the rest of the shredded cheese and start to roll up the dough starting with the end facing you. Roll the dough as tightly as you can.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
     Leah Maroney

  7. Seal the edges of the dough together by pinching the dough together. Slice the dough into 9 rounds. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
     Leah Maroney

  8. Whisk together the egg with a teaspoon of lukewarm water until it is completely blended. Brush the egg wash over the top and sides of the pinwheels. This will help to brown them while they are cooking and it helps hold the pinwheel together as it bakes so that less cheese oozes out of the sides.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
     Leah Maroney

  9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown.

    ham and cheese pinwheels
    Leah Maorney 

  10. Top the pinwheels with a little chopped parsley and serve immediately with marinara sauce on the side, if desired., They are also delicious at room temperature.

Tips

  • Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper, not aluminum foil. This will prevent the pinwheels from sticking and protects your baking sheet from burnt cheese stains.
  • Use freshly chopped garlic for the best flavor. you can substitute the Italian seasoning for freshly chopped herbs if you wish.
  • Throw them in the fridge if you aren't serving them until later. Reheat in a 325 F oven for five minutes.

Recipe Variations

  • Try adding different meats, like pepperoni, salami, or capicola. You can also include different cheeses like shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack.
  • Try adding bacon, chopped jalapeno, scallions, and a smear of raspberry or fig jam to the filling along with the cheese of your choice. This creates a sophisticated pinwheel that's salty, spicy, and sweet all at once.
  • You can also make your own pizza dough instead of using the premade variety.