Garlic butter Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are crunchy, golden bread layered with savory ham and a rich, herby garlic butter spread. The buttery spread melts into the layers, adding bold, aromatic flavor. Not even joking, you could eat the butter spread all by itself, it’s that good! The spiral-making process is so fun that kids will LOVE getting involved and making memories. These toasty spirals are perfect as appetizers, snacks, or party bites!
Want more fun snacks? We love doing something special in the snack department. Try our irresistible Popcorn Balls with Peanuts or our Soft Pretzel with Cheese Sauce.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Best garlic butter ever
- Fun to make
- Kids will love them
- Unique snack
- Great for lunch
Helpful Items for This Recipe
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Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Ingredients
Recipe Ingredients
Unsalted butter, softened – You can use salted butter for this recipe, but then reduce the salt added.
Minced garlic – This needs to be very finely minced.
Onions – A sweet onion works nicely here, nothing too pungent. Again, it needs to be finely minced.
Dried parsley – This will add flavor to your garlic butter. Dried works best here.
Rosemary – Fresh rosemary is less hard and more pliable in the butter.
Salt – For enhancing all the other flavors; don’t add too much, as the Parmesan is salty too.
Parmesan cheese – This adds the perfect cheesy flavor to the butter.
Sliced ham – You can also used sliced turkey for this recipe. Round or square ham can be used, but round ham creates a more aesthetically pleasing swirl for presentation.
White bread slices – See if you can get square bread as opposed to one that has a big rise with the rounded top. Otherwise, you may end up with uneven folds.
How To Make Ham Cheese Pinwheels
Steps:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Garlic Butter Spread:
Place softened butter in a mixing bowl.
Add garlic, onion, parsley, rosemary, and salt. Stir until well combined.
Add grated Parmesan cheese into the mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
Pinwheel Bread:
Generously spread the garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. Crust to crust!
Place one slice of ham on the buttered side of the bread.
Make small slant cuts on each side of the bread and ham (refer to process photo 11 for placement).
Fold the four edges inward, overlapping each other one by one in a clockwise pattern.
Tuck the last edge under the first to secure the shape. Press gently to hold it in place, forming a neat pinwheel.
Baking of pinwheel bread:
Place the shaped bread on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 8 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves or parsley before serving.
Recipe Pro Tips!
FAQS
- Cut the slant evenly – Ensure all cuts are the same length so the bread folds neatly without lopsided edges.
- If you are cutting the bread in the pattern as shown in the photos (process 12-15), fold the edges in a clockwise pattern. If cutting in the opposite direction (which may happen for left-handed individuals or if using scissors in your left hand), fold the edges anti-clockwise.
- How do I prevent the pinwheels from unfolding while baking? Press the last folded edge gently under the first one to secure the shape. Use a toothpick to secure the shape if needed.
- This recipe can be made in an air fryer. Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 8 minutes.
- Can I eat the pinwheels without baking? Yes! These pinwheels are so flavorful that you can enjoy them straight away if you’re having a lazy morning or just want a different experience. However, if you’re bringing them to a picnic, potluck, or party, baking is recommended to help them hold their shape better and enhance their crispiness.
Storage:
- Store leftovers in an airtight sealable bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to a month. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes.
- Leftover garlic butter spread can be stored in an airtight jar and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw before use.
- To make ahead, assemble the pinwheels up until before baking and freeze in a resealable bag. When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
WANT MORE GREAT SANDWICH IDEAS THE KIDS WILL LOVE?
Kids absolutely love it when you get creative with their food. Here are some of our favorite sandwiches that kids will love.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter soften (113g)
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon finely diced onions
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon rosemary freshly chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 thinly sliced ham
- 8 white bread slices
Instructions
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Garlic Butter Spread:
- Place softened butter in a mixing bowl.
- Add garlic, onion, parsley, rosemary, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese into the mixture and stir until fully incorporated
Pinwheel Bread:
- Generously spread the garlic butter on one side of each bread slice.
- Place one slice of ham on the buttered side of the bread.
- Make small slant cuts on each side of the bread and ham (refer to process photo 11 for placement).
- Fold the four edges inward, overlapping each other one by one in a clockwise pattern.
- Tuck the last edge under the first to secure the shape. Press gently to hold it in place, forming a neat pinwheel.
Baking of pinwheel bread:
- Place the shaped bread on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 8 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves or parsley before serving.
Equipment
Notes
See the post for more information, photos and tips.
Comments & Reviews
Natalie says
My kids immediately asked me to make these when they saw them 😄 They absolutely loved them and had fun “playing” with their food. Also, that garlic butter spread was amazing, easily the best I’ve ever had! Thanks for the recipe!
Tara Noland says
Thank you so much!! So glad they liked it and yes I adore that garlic butter spread too, so good!!