Name: Easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
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)

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These easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels take just five minutes and three ingredients to make and are perfect for snacks and lunch boxes.

A white plate filled with 3-ingredient ham and cheese pinwheels. Slices of ham and cheese are rolled up in golden-brown crescent dough.

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.

A month’s worth of dinners, figured out for you.

Grab my 4-week meal plans with recipes, shopping lists, and picky eater tips for every meal.

I need that!

They fit perfectly in my kids’ EasyLunchboxes, Bentgo Fresh box, and PlanetBox (that’s the one pictured below).

A metal lunch box filled with food for a child's lunch. Carrot sticks, M&M candies, blueberries, mini pretzels, and two ham and cheese pinwheels fill the lunch box compartments.

You might also like: 100 Lunch Box Ideas

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.

A tube of Annie's organic crescent rolls.

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.

Get More: All My Top Posts About Packing Lunches

A collage of images shows the four steps to make ham and cheese pinwheels with crescent dough. Step one shows crescent dough flat on a countertop. Step two shows the perforated edges of the crescents pressed together. Step three shows a layer of deli ham slices atop the crescent dough, and the final step shows layered cheese slices over the ham, and the process of rolling the crescent dough.

Using a serrated knife, carefully cut into slices. I cut mine into eight pieces.

Slices of uncooked ham and cheese pinwheels cut from a long log of rolled crescent dough.

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.

Eight pieces of uncooked ham and cheese pinwheels sit on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes at 375 degrees F until golden brown and melty.

A parchment paper-lined baking sheet with 8 slices of cooked ham and cheese pinwheels.

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!)

Freshly baked ham and cheese pinwheels stacked on a while ceramic plate.

More 3-Ingredient Pinwheel Variations

Pepperoni & provolone
Turkey & cheddar
Pesto & chicken
Thinly-sliced mushrooms and Swiss

Easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

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.