Ham Cream Cheese Pickle Pinwheels (Printable)

Smoky ham, cream cheese, and crisp pickles rolled for a savory, satisfying party appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Main

01 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 - 8 large slices deli ham (approximately 8 ounces)
03 - 6 large whole dill pickles

→ Flavor Enhancers (optional)

04 - 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine softened cream cheese, chopped dill, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
02 - Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the dill pickles dry, removing excess moisture.
03 - Lay one slice of deli ham flat on a clean cutting board. Spread a thin, even layer of cream cheese mixture on the ham.
04 - Position a whole pickle at the edge of the ham slice and roll up tightly, enclosing the pickle in ham and cream cheese.
05 - Repeat the rolling and spreading steps with remaining ham slices, cream cheese mixture, and pickles.
06 - Using a sharp knife, cut each roll crosswise into 1/2-inch thick pinwheels.
07 - Arrange pinwheels on a serving platter. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This appetizer is ready in under fifteen minutes, perfect for last-minute guests or impromptu gatherings.
  • The balance of creamy, smoky, and tangy flavors always wins over picky eaters.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the pickles, the rolls can get soggy and fall apart quickly.
  • Swapping out dill for other herbs brings new flavors—roasted red pepper strips made the pinwheels extra colorful for my niece's birthday.
03 -
  • Room-temperature cream cheese makes the spreading step frustration-free.
  • Drying the pickles well is how you keep the pinwheels crisp.
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