These easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels take just five minutes and three ingredients to make and are perfect for snacks and lunch boxes.
Reader comment:
These were a HUGE hit with my daughter and my husband today! I have run out of ideas for lunchboxes, but now that this is “approved” I have another option.
I grew up eating a version of these that my mom folded into genuine-looking pinwheels. I also shared how to make them on Instagram Stories one day and didn’t think much of it.
Until my friend Robin (of Robin’s Bite) made them, raved, and shared them on Instagram too. “Hands down, this is my family’s favorite snack,” she messaged me. “And it’s my most commented-on Instagram Story ever!”
So I figured I was practically obligated to share them here, in case they’re a hit with your family too. My kids love these hot for weekend lunches or cold in lunch boxes.
They fit perfectly in my kids’ EasyLunchboxes, Bentgo Fresh box, and PlanetBox (that’s the one pictured below).
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Ingredients You Need for Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
- Crescent Rolls: I like Annie’s, but you can use any brand. They now make a crescent roll dough sheet, which makes it even easier.
- Ham: Sliced deli ham works best. We love black forest ham, but any variety will do.
- Swiss cheese: Get this sliced at the deli or buy a package of pre-sliced.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Open the package of crescent roll dough. I like Annie’s brand, which, unlike some others, doesn’t contain hydrogenated oils or synthetic colors.
Place the rectangles together to form one big rectangle and press the perforated edges together to seal. Layer on the ham and cheese and roll up, starting at one of the short ends.
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Using a serrated knife, carefully cut into slices. I cut mine into eight pieces.
Lay on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. They will spread a little bit while baking, so space them apart.
Bake for 12-15 minutes at 375 degrees F until golden brown and melty.
Remove to a cooling rack and serve warm. Or cool and refrigerate in an airtight container. Use within 3-4 days. (But good luck keeping them around that long!)
More 3-Ingredient Pinwheel Variations
- Pepperoni & provolone
- Turkey & cheddar
- Pesto & chicken
- Thinly-sliced mushrooms and Swiss
Easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
These easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels take just five minutes to prep and are perfect for snacks and lunch boxes.
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated crescent rolls (I like Annie's brand)
- 8 slices deli ham (may need more or less, depending on the size of slices)
- 8 slices swiss cheese (may need more or less, depending on the size of slices)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Open a package of crescent rolls and unroll them onto a baking sheet or cutting board, placing the four rectangle pieces together to form one big rectangle. Pinch the perforated edges closed to seal.
- Layer on slices of ham to cover the entire surface area. Cover ham slices with cheese.
- Starting at the short end, roll tightly, jellyroll fashion. Slice carefully with a serrated knife into 8 even slices.
- Place slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat. They will spread while baking, so space them with some room between. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and melty.
- Remove to a cooling rack and serve while warm or refrigerate after cooling in an airtight container. Use within 3-4 days.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 pinwheelAmount Per Serving: Calories: 211Saturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 482mgCarbohydrates: 16gSugar: 4gProtein: 11g
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I love this idea! I’m always looking for new ideas for my son’s lunches. I also use the PlanetBox lunchbox. I’ll keep an eye out for Annies crescents. I love their products. Thanks for the post.
Thanks Hannah! Hope you try them and like them.
I couldn’t figure out how to start a comment of my own, so I hijacked this one – Sorry! But I was just wondering if you’ve ever tried this recipe using a tube of pizza dough or a tube of the french bread dough instead of the crescent rolls. Both are already rolled out thin with no perforations. But if the crescent rolls work better or taste better, I will stick with those (hoping my perforations stay sealed ). Thanks!
Hi Susan–I think that would work just fine. Those dough have a different flavor than the crescent rolls, which I think are flakier and sweeter, but I think they would totally work.
Just what I needed to get out of the pb&j blues. Made them tonight for lunches- my girls are so excited to eat these. Thank you!
Hooray! Hope they love em.
I so enjoy your blog. I am taking the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels to my grandsons tomorrow. I’ll let you know what they think!
Thank you Ruthie! Hope they love them!
These were a HUGE hit with my daughter and my husband today! I have run out of ideas for lunchboxes, but now that this is “approved” I have another option. I couldn’t find the Annie’s crescents but I’ll keep an eye out for them. Super fast and easy to make.
I made a double batch of these last week– one ham and swiss and one turkey and cheddar. All three school age kids loved them, including the non-sandwich eater! It’s pretty much unheard of for them to have a unanimous consensus on food.
That is great to hear!!
Thank you for this yummy lunch idea! I made a batch this morning before school. My seven year old ate a pinwheel and gave a big He said he can’t wait until lunchtime at school. At pick-up he asked if he could have another for after school snack. My son asked where I got the idea and I showed him your blog, he said you’re the coolest!
Ha! Glad he liked them and thanks for the compliment. 😉
Can you buy the Annie’s dough in Canada? I haven’t seen it, but also never looked for it cuz I didn’t know it existed!
Hi Catherine–I’m not sure. You can use their store locator to find out: https://www.annies.com/store-locator
Or you can use any kind of crescent roll dough instead. Thanks!
Finally made these! My very quiet 17 year old walks by as they are cooling and pops one in his mouth says “these things are really good” most he’s said all day 🙂 the picky 13 year old is dipping them in salsa. Thanks Sally!
That’s great to hear, Amy!
Could these be made ahead of time and frozen?
That’s a great question Mary. I haven’t tried it yet but I will. I don’t see why you couldn’t freeze and defrost them, then pop into the toaster oven or regular oven to crisp up.
Incredibly simple to make and so tasty! I paired these with some tomato soup and it was a hit!
These are the reason I always have crescent rolls in my fridge! We LOVE these!
Would the pinwheel recipe work using pizza dough?
I would think so but haven’t tried that.
I just found this recipe today and I had all of the ingredients in the house. My son loved them! I loved them. We needed something fun for the first lunch of the 2021 school year. I can’t wait to play around with different variations!
Stefani–so glad you enjoyed them!
Looking some lunchbox recipes and come across with this one…Recipe looks great and will try for sure for my 5yr kiddo.
If i bake them in the night and reheat in the morning for lunch . Will they stay soft to chew( my kiddo is not a good at chewing 🙁 )
Or i need to bake them in the morning ?
Thanks
Hi Isha–Hmmm, I guess they could feel a bit chewy when they’re cold or reheated. Maybe try them at home before trying them in a lunch box so you can see how your kiddo does with them.
Can I freeze these? Also can you recommend any make ahead heathy snack recipes for my toddler. I have a 13 month old. We’re not on crunchy solids yet so I think these pinwheels would be perfect.
Thank you!
I haven’t tried to freeze these (they’re usually eaten so quickly) but I’m sure they would freeze just fine. Your child might like these Veggie Nuggets: https://www.realmomnutrition.com/veggie-nuggets/ or these Broccoli Cauliflower Bites: https://www.realmomnutrition.com/broccoli-cauliflower-bites/
Hi,
Can these be frozen if not used within 3-4 days? Only have one kid, so they may be around a little longer than they would for a larger family.
Hi Dee–I’ve never frozen them, but I don’t see why you couldn’t.
Thank you!