Pinwheels (Ham and Cheese Sandwiches)
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Aug 27, 2025 This easy pinwheel sandwiches recipe includes salami, ham and cheese, spinach, and a rich cream cheese spread packed with pickled jalapeños and roasted red peppers, all rolled up together in a flour tortilla and sliced into pieces. Pinwheels are the ultimate cold and delicious finger food for parties, picnics, and more!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
I am a bit of a party pro, you might say… And from big celebrations to intimate gatherings – if there’s one thing I’ve learned in all of my years of hostessing, it’s that people absolutely love to enjoy snacky finger foods while making the rounds and chatting. Because who wants to worry about utensils when trying to mingle?
Our readers are big fans of these mini cheese balls, chicken lollipops, and steak “bagel bites.” Now we’re adding another classic casual dish to our lineup of no-fail recipes for all you fabulous hosts out there. From top to bottom, layer after layer, these amazing little ham and cheese pinwheel sandwiches are the perfect party snack!
Why You’ll Love These Pinwheels
- Layers of flavor – You’ve got an irresistible combination of a zesty cream cheese spread made with sweet red peppers and spicy pickled jalapeños, ham and salami, cheddar cheese, and fresh spinach.
- Tasty and satisfying – Not only do these rollups pack a punch of flavor, they are well-rounded with plenty of protein and carbs!
- Make ahead – Mix together the cream cheese filling and assemble the rollups earlier in the day, or up to a whole day in advance.
- Snack and stroll – These handheld two-bite pinwheels are perfect to keep on a buffet or serving platter for guests to help themselves.
So, what are we waiting for – let’s get rolling! (Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself!)
Ingredients and Tips
- Cream cheese spread – The “glue” that helps the rolls stay together is a rich and vibrant blend of softened cream cheese, green onion, roasted red peppers, pickled jalapeños, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Tortillas – Use large, burrito-size white flour or whole wheat flour tortillas.
- Meat – These pinwheel sandwiches include slices of ham and salami.
- Cheese – We use classic cheddar cheese, but feel free to use slices of Colby Jack, Swiss, or spicy Pepper Jack cheese.
- Spinach – Including a handful of baby spinach leaves adds a nice pop of freshness to lighten all of that cheesy, meaty goodness!
Recipe Variations
- Low(er) carb – Lighten the pinwheels up a bit and use your favorite low carb tortillas.
- Meat – Swap ham and salami for whatever deli slices you like! You can make this pinwheels recipe with slices of turkey, chicken, or roast beef.
- Non-spicy – Simply omit jalapeños for a mild recipe.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Tip for Success – This is a no-cook recipe, but it does require a bit of chill time. After wrapping each roll tightly with foil, you’ll need to refrigerate them for at least 1 hour, but up to 24 hours. So it’s great recipe to make the night before serving!
Find the full Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – You can make these pinwheels a day in advance, but they don’t hold over too much longer than 2-3 days total. Store the sliced pieces in an airtight container and keep in the fridge until ready to enjoy cold.
- Freezing – Nope, I do not recommend trying to freeze pinwheels.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these rollups as a light and delicious appetizer, after-school or party snack, or alongside other casual dishes at picnics, potlucks and more!
They are great for grazing or having for lunch with other refreshing chilled foods like deviled egg pasta salad or potato salad, tortellini pasta salad, cucumber onion salad, or marinated vegetable salad.
Pinwheels Recipe
Video
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Spread –
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- ¼ cup roasted red pepper drained and diced
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno drained and diced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pinwheels –
- 4 burrito-size flour tortillas 12-inch
- 12 slices ham (large sandwich slices)
- 28 slices thin salami
- 20 thin cheddar sandwich slices
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Set out a small bowl. Combine the softened cream cheese, green onions, roasted red pepper, jalapeño, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix well until fully combined.
- Lay the tortillas out on a clean work surface. Divide the cheese spread into four equal portions and dollop them on the tortillas. Spread the cheese spread evenly over each tortilla leaving a small 1/4 inch rim around the edge.
- Lay 3 large ham slices over each tortilla, working to cover as much surface area as possible. *To make super-neat edges once rolled, stop the ingredients about 1 inch on just one side. When you roll the tortillas, this will be the outer edge.
- Spread ½ cup of spinach leaves over each tortilla. Lay 5 cheddar cheese slices over the spinach leaves, and finally topped the cheese with 7 salami slices.
- Start rolling with the edge across from the side you left empty. Roll the tortilla tightly towards the empty edge. The ingredients will want to shift towards the edge. When needed, press them down and continue rolling. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Wrap each roll tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but up to 24 hours.
- When ready to serve, unwrap each roll and cut them neatly into ½ inch slices. Stack the slices on a platter and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend drying the spinach well after washing, layering it between sheets of clean, lint-free paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
It’s also important that you thoroughly drain the pickled jalapeños and roasted red peppers to keep the cream cheese mixture from getting soggy once added to the tortillas.
One serving is about 3-6 ham and cheese pinwheels, depending on whether you’re serving them for a snack or a light lunch. This recipe makes about 40 pieces, so roughly a dozen servings for parties or six light lunches.
Spreading the cream cheese mixture evenly across the entire tortilla surface will act as the “glue” that holds the wraps together once they are rolled up.
Served these at a baby shower and everyone kept going back for more. Simple ingredients, zero stress, and totally delicious!
I make a batch of these for my kids’ lunches every week and they love them. Quick, no cooking, and packed with protein!
These pinwheels were incredibly easy to make and disappeared in minutes! I loved the cream cheese spread – amazing flavor combo.