Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

ByCarla Hours Posted on Hours Updated On:
3.8 Stars (5 Reviews)
 Servings: 10 Total Time: 20 mins

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are flaky puff pastry filled with ham, Monterey Jack cheese, and spicy mustard.

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Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are made with flaky puff pastry layered with spicy mustard, sliced ham, and Monterey Jack cheese, then rolled, sliced, and cooked until golden and crispy. Make them in the air fryer or oven for an easy appetizer or snack.

ham-and-cheese-pinwheels

These are one of my go-to appetizers when I want something easy with only a handful of ingredients. I can also use leftover ham when I have it, and the puff pastry makes them look like I spent much more time making them than I actually did. 🧀🥐🍖

ham-cheese-pinwheels-with-bite

Why I Love Ham and Cheese Pinwheels:

  • Only four ingredients: Nothing complicated to buy or prep.
  • Two cooking methods: Make them in the air fryer or oven.
  • Quick: The air fryer version is ready in about 20 minutes.
  • Great for leftover ham: An easy way to turn extra ham into something completely different.
  • Easy appetizer: The individual pinwheels are perfect for parties, holidays, or snacking.
Ham-and-cheese-pinwheels-ingredients

About the Ingredients ⭐

  1. Puff Pastry: Creates the flaky, crispy layers around the ham and cheese. Thaw it according to the package directions before using.
  2. Ham: Deli-sliced ham works perfectly, but thinly sliced leftover ham is a great option too.
  3. Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts easily and gives the pinwheels a mild, creamy cheese flavor.
  4. Spicy Mustard: Adds a little tang and extra flavor that balances the ham and cheese.

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

Ham-and-Cheese-Pinwheel-on-a-plate

How to Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

  • Preheat the air fryer or oven to 400
  • Lay your pastry puff flat on a cutting board
  • Spread a thin layer of mustard on top of the puff pastry.
  • Spread a layer of deli ham or leftover ham slices.
  • Place A layer of cheese on top of the ham.
  • puff-pastry-on-a-cutting-board
  • spread-mustard-on-puff-pastry
  • layer-of-ham-on-top-of-the-mustard
  • Cheese-on-top-of-ham
  • Roll the pastry roll up lengthwise.
  • Slice in 1″ slices.
  • Place pinwheels in a single layer place in your air fryer or on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Roll-pastry-puff
  • Rolled-pastry-puff-pinwheels
  • sliced-in-1-inch-slices
  • Cook for 15 minutes in your air fryer flipping over one time after 10 minutes or in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  • Pinwheels-in-single-layer-in-air-fryer
  • flip-after-10-minutes
pinwheels-in-air-fryer

Tips I Found Helpful 💙

  • Thaw the puff pastry first: Let it thaw according to the package directions so it’s easy to roll without cracking.
  • Keep the ham thin: Deli ham or thinly sliced leftover ham makes the pinwheels easier to roll and keeps them from becoming bulky.
  • Don’t overfill: Too much ham or cheese can make the filling spill out as the pinwheels cook.
  • Roll it tightly: A snug roll helps the pinwheels hold their shape when you slice them.
  • Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife makes clean slices without crushing the puff pastry layers.
pinwheels-on-a-serving-platter

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Assemble and slice the pinwheels, then cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. For the best puff pastry texture, I would prepare them no more than a day ahead.

Yes. Freeze the uncooked pinwheels in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking.

Yes. Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or mozzarella can be used instead of Monterey Jack. Choose a cheese that melts well.

Absolutely. Double all the ingredients and cook the pinwheels in batches if you’re using the air fryer. Don’t overcrowd the basket.

Puff pastry gives these pinwheels their light, flaky texture, so it’s my first choice. Crescent roll dough can also work, but the finished pinwheels will be softer and won’t have the same flaky layers.

More Appetizer Recipes I Love 💙

ham-and-cheese-pinwheels
Yield: 10

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

ham-cheese-pinwheels-with-bite
3.8 Stars (5 Reviews)

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are flaky puff pastry filled with ham, Monterey Jack cheese, and spicy mustard.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Puff Pastry Store bought or Homemade Puff pastry
  • 4- 6 slices Deli Sliced Ham or leftover ham sliced thin
  • 4 oz Monterey jack cheese
  • 2 Tbs Spicy Mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer or oven to 400
  2. Lay your pastry puff flat on a cutting board
  3. Spread a thin layer of mustard on top of the puff pastry.
  4. Spread a layer of deli ham or leftover ham slices.
  5. Place A layer of cheese on top of the ham.
  6. Roll the pastry roll up lengthwise.
  7. Slice in 1″ slices.
  8. Place pinwheels in a single layer place in your air fryer or on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  9. Cook for 15 minutes in your air fryer flipping over one time after 10 minutes or in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Notes

Thaw the puff pastry before starting and roll it snugly around the filling. Slice into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife. Arrange the pinwheels in a single layer and cook in batches when using the air fryer.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 59Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 81mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g

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© Adventures of a Nurse
Cuisine: American / Category: Air Fryer

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Hi, I’m Carla, the recipe creator behind Adventures of a Nurse. After more than 25 years in nursing, I traded my scrubs for an apron and turned my love of cooking into a full-time food blog.

My recipes are all about easy comfort food, family favorites, and the dishes I grew up with in Central New York. You’ll find everything from simple weeknight dinners to Utica classics like Chicken Riggies and Utica Greens.

I’m glad you’re here—let’s get cooking! 💙
....Carla Adventures of a Nurse

One Comment

  1. These were so great! I ended up making a couple of modifications (mainly because I discovered my mustard was bad when prepping to make them). Instead of the mustard I did one half with Whataburger creamy pepper sauce and the other half with pesto. I also sprinkled shredded parmesan on top of the slices when they went into the air fryer. I have the Ninja double sided one and found that it needed just a min or two less than the circle air fryer.

    These came out so flaky and delicious! Will absolutely be making them again asap! (Also approved by the 20 month old!!)

    Reply

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