Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Servings: 18 pinwheels
Calories: 137kcal
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 8 slices deli ham thinly sliced works best
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (Swiss, cheddar, Gruyère, or a blend)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- sesame seeds or poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and lightly flour a clean work surface.
- Place the thawed puff pastry on the floured surface and roll it out gently into a rectangle if needed.
- Spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the surface of the puff pastry.
- Arrange the ham slices in an even layer over the mustard, then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top.
- Starting from the long edge, roll the pastry tightly into a log, keeping the roll snug as you go.
- Slice the log into ½- to ¾-inch rounds to yield about 18 to 24 pinwheels.
- Arrange the pinwheels cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush the mixture over the tops of the pinwheels, then sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the pinwheels are puffed and golden brown, then remove from the oven and serve warm.
Notes
- Thaw puff pastry in the fridge until just pliable. It should be soft enough to roll but still cool to the touch for the best flaky texture.
- Roll evenly to keep the pastry uniform in thickness so the pinwheels bake up evenly and look neat.
- Chill the rolled log before slicing for about 10 minutes. This helps you get clean, even cuts without squishing the pastry.
- Don’t overfill with cheese or ham. A light layer prevents the filling from leaking out during baking.
- Use good melting cheese like Swiss, Gruyère, or cheddar for smooth, gooey results.
- Brush with egg wash before baking to give the pinwheels a golden, glossy finish.
- Space them out on the baking sheet so they have room to puff up and crisp properly.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture, or at room temperature for easy entertaining.
- Make ahead by assembling and slicing the pinwheels up to a day in advance, then bake just before serving.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to bring back their crispiness.
Nutrition
Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 253mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 77IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg