Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Honey Dijon Ham & Gruyère Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

These ham & cheese puff pastry pinwheels are bursting with flavor and oozing with cheesy mustard goodness! The pastry is perfectly flaky, ideal indulgent snack.
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Buttery, flaky, cheesy, and smoky- these ham and cheese puff pastry pinwheels are the perfect indulgent treat!

Ham and cheese are a match made in heaven!

these ham and cheese puff pastry pinwheels are the perfect treat

The best part is that there are so many different types of each ingredient that the flavor combinations are endless!

Enveloping this fated pair in puff pastry is the ideal way to show off their flavors while adding a buttery and flaky element to the mix.

there are so many different types of each ingredient

In our version, we have paired nutty Gruyere with smoky Black Forest ham to amp up those flavor profiles.

The cheesy savoryness is cut with the heat and sweetness of honey Dijon that brings this whole dish together in perfect balance.

paired nutty Gruyere with smoky Black Forest ham

Why you will love this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels recipe…

  • Golden buttery goodness- There’s nothing better than flaky puff pastry!
  • Sweet and tangy- The honey Dijon takes these pastries to the next level!
  • Gruyere is unbeatable- It is so nutty and unique.
  • Smoky and savory- The funky Gruyere and smoky Black Forest ham work so seamlessly together.
  • Prep ahead- You can make the roll and cut, and bake just before serving.
Why you will love this Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels recipe

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels

These ham and cheese pinwheels are bursting with flavor and oozing with cheesy mustard goodness! The pastry is perfectly flaky and make for an ideal indulgent snack.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 534 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 2 tbsp honey Dijon mustard (or mix 1 tbsp Dijon + 1 tbsp honey)
  • 6-8 slices Black Forest ham, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (about 3 oz)
  • 1 egg + 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
  • Optional: Fresh thyme leaves or cracked black pepper for garnish

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels ingredients
  • Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth out any creases. You want a rectangle about 10×12 inches.
    Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe Instruction - Prep Your Puff Pastry
  • Use a spoon or pastry brush to spread a thin layer of honey Dijon all over the puff pastry—don’t go too heavy or it’ll get soggy.
  • Lay down the ham slices evenly over the mustard, leaving a ½-inch border at the top edge. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère over the ham.
    Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe Instruction - Layer Ham and Cheese
  • Starting from the bottom (long edge), tightly roll the puff pastry into a log. Brush the edge with a little water to seal. Wrap in plastic and chill for 15–20 minutes to firm up (this helps with slicing).
    Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe Instruction - roll it up then slice
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the log into ½-inch rounds and place them cut-side up on the baking sheet.
  • Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with thyme or pepper if using.
    Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe Instruction - Brush tops with egg wash
  • Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving—if you can wait that long.
    Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe Instruction - Bake to Golden Perfection

Nutrition

Calories 534kcal (27%)Carbohydrates 32g (11%)Protein 22g (44%)Fat 35g (54%)Saturated Fat 12g (75%)Polyunsaturated Fat 4gMonounsaturated Fat 17gCholesterol 59mg (20%)Sodium 861mg (37%)Potassium 184mg (5%)Fiber 1g (4%)Sugar 4g (4%)Vitamin A 313IU (6%)Calcium 339mg (34%)Iron 2mg (11%)
Keyword Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

These ham and cheese pinwheels are so versatile! They can be served as a lunch, an appetizer, or as a fun snack. They are also great to serve to guests as they are sure to impress.

If you are serving them as lunch, we suggest accompanying them with a fresh green salad. For brunch or special occasions, pair them with a Pineapple Upside Down Mimosa—the sweet and citrusy notes complement the savory richness of the pinwheels perfectly.

Expert Tips 🧑‍🍳

  • Swap the cheese. Try out cheddar, Swiss, or Fontina to switch it up. 
  • Always chill the roll first. This will let you get a clean slice without distorting the shape.
  • Bake on parchment paper. This will prevent the cheese from sticking.
  • Thaw the puff pastry in the fridge. This ensures you don’t lose any butter by thawing it too warm.
These ham and cheese pinwheels are so versatile

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Allow the pinwheels to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat- These pinwheels are tasty served at room temperature, but you can also reheat them in a 350°F oven for ten minutes to warm and recrisp them.
  • To freeze- These pinwheels are ideally frozen before baking and thawed just before serving. Freeze the wheels flat, and then, once solid, they can be transferred to a smaller container and layered to save space.

Puff Pastry Pinwheels FAQs

How long do you cook puff pastry pinwheels for?

These pinwheels take 18-22 minutes to bake, but it’s key that you don’t open the oven while cooking, or they will fall flat.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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