When you need a quick, tasty snack for a planned gathering or surprise visitors, try these ham and cheese pinwheels. Salty ham and creamy cheese wrapped in a soft, slightly chewy two-ingredient dough make a delicious alternative to traditional sausage rolls.
Ham and cheese pinwheels
Made in minutes with a 2-ingredient dough — watch the magic happen!
Yes, the dough requires only two ingredients and the filling just two more. With only four ingredients you can make these tasty pinwheels.
This recipe uses the popular two-ingredient dough made from equal parts Greek (or natural) yoghurt and self-raising flour. The natural leavening in yoghurt reacts with the flour to give a quick, workable dough without the long kneading and proving steps of traditional bread dough.
These pinwheels are a versatile snack: serve them on game day with beer, hand them round at a party, or enjoy one for a quick breakfast. Because the pastry uses yoghurt instead of butter, the result is lighter in calories than many puff pastry alternatives.
Note that the dough is not flaky like puff pastry; instead it has a denser, slightly chewy texture more like a soft bread roll.
The melted cheese blends into the dough while the ham edges crisp and brown in the oven — delicious.
What you will need
Equipment
A mixing bowl to combine the dough.
You will also need a rolling pin and a baking tray. Lining the tray with baking parchment makes cleanup much easier.
Ingredients
This recipe makes about 10 ham and cheese pinwheels.
Yoghurt – thick Greek or natural yoghurt. Avoid fruit-flavoured varieties.
Self-raising flour – use self-raising flour. If you only have plain flour, add 1 teaspoon baking powder per cup (140 g) of flour.
Cheese – grated cheddar mixed with mozzarella works well, but use any cooking cheese you prefer.
Ham – sliced sandwich or deli ham.
Salt – optional, add to taste.
Egg – optional; brushing with beaten egg helps the pinwheels brown.
Other filling ideas:
- Spicy tomato sauce layered with salami and cheese
- Split sausage meat mixed with mustard
- Grated cheese with finely chopped onion
- Sundried tomatoes, grated cheese and mushrooms with mixed herbs
What to do
Sift the self-raising flour into a bowl. Add most of the yoghurt and a pinch of salt if using. Mix until the mixture begins to come together; reserve a little yoghurt and only add more if needed.
Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently to form a soft, non-sticky ball. Add extra flour a tablespoon at a time if it feels too sticky.
Roll the dough into a rectangle about 10″ x 8″. Sprinkle grated cheese over the surface, leaving about a 1-inch border on the long edges.
Arrange ham slices over the cheese.
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly over the filling to form a sausage-shaped log.
Slice the log into roughly 1-inch pieces, flatten each slightly, and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment. Brush with beaten egg if desired.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes, until the pinwheels are golden and cooked through.
Serve warm or cold.
Ham and cheese pinwheels FAQ
This recipe is forgiving. If the dough is sticky, add extra flour a tablespoon at a time until you have a soft, non-sticky ball that rolls easily.
The author hasn’t frozen them, and they are quick to make, so they are usually prepared fresh. If you try freezing, wrap tightly and thaw before reheating.
Best eaten the day they are made. Store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days; they may dry out after that. Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave to warm.
One dough – many dishes
This two-ingredient dough is versatile:
- Use it as a pizza base and add your favourite toppings.
- Add minced garlic to the dough and brush with garlic butter after baking for garlic dough-balls.
- Roll into a thin sausage, cut into lengths and sprinkle with sesame seeds for breadsticks.
- You can even adapt it for sweet treats that are deep-fried and soaked in syrup.
- Or keep it simple and make these ham and cheese pinwheels.
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Related recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, you might like other picnic and barbecue-style snacks.
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Pork and apple sausage rolls
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Crispy sweetcorn fritters – with cheese
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Puff pastry asparagus and ham wraps with cheese
-
Cheese and onion pork sausage rolls
📋The recipe
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Equipment
- Wooden spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Baking parchment
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 140 g self-raising flour
- 1 cup / 240 ml Greek or natural yoghurt (you may need slightly less)
- 6 slices ham
- 1 cup / 150 g grated cheese (cheddar + mozzarella works well)
- Extra flour for rolling
- Salt to taste (optional)
- 1 small egg (optional, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F / gas mark 6). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Sift the self-raising flour into a bowl. Add most of the yoghurt and a pinch of salt. Mix with a spoon until it starts to come together; add the reserved yoghurt only if needed.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently to form a soft, non-sticky ball. Add extra flour a tablespoon at a time if it is too sticky.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle about 10″ x 8″. Sprinkle grated cheese over the surface, leaving a 1-inch border along the long sides.
- Layer the ham slices over the cheese.
- Roll up from the long edge into a tight log, then slice into approximately 1-inch rounds.
- Place the pinwheels on the prepared tray, flatten slightly. Brush with beaten egg if using.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
Notes
If you don’t have self-raising flour, add 1 teaspoon baking powder per cup of plain flour. The dough can be a little sticky; add flour sparingly so the dough stays soft. An egg wash is optional.
Nutrition (per pinwheel)
Calories: 144 | Carbs: 11 g | Protein: 8.3 g | Fat: 7.3 g
If you try the recipe and enjoyed it, please leave a rating or comment. For questions or feedback you can contact the recipe author at [email protected].