Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
In short: Puff pastry rolled around mustard, ham and cheddar, then sliced and baked into golden swirls. Make ahead and bake when guests arrive. It takes about 38 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 38 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Pinwheels are the party snack that looks like effort and takes about 20 minutes. A sheet of ready-made puff pastry is spread with mustard, covered with ham and cheese, rolled, chilled and sliced into spirals that puff up in the oven. The chilling step is what keeps the swirls neat. You can freeze the unbaked rounds and bake as many as you need straight from the freezer.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line two baking trays with baking paper. Unroll the pastry on its paper with a long side facing you.
- Spread the mustard over the pastry, leaving a clear 1 cm (1/2 inch) border along the far long edge.
- Cover the pastry with a single layer of ham, then scatter the cheese evenly on top. Press everything down lightly.
- Brush the clear border with a little beaten egg. Starting from the long side nearest you, roll the pastry into a tight log and finish with the seam underneath.
- Wrap the log in baking paper and chill for 20 minutes, or freeze for 10 minutes, until firm enough to slice cleanly.
- Cut the log into 24 rounds about 1.5 cm (3/4 inch) thick with a sharp serrated knife. Lay them cut side up on the trays, 3 cm (1 inch) apart. Brush the tops with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, swapping the trays halfway, until puffed and deep golden. Cool on the trays for 5 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Keep the pastry cold. If it turns soft or sticky while you work, slide it onto a tray and chill for 10 minutes before rolling.
- Try pesto and mozzarella, spinach and feta, or roasted peppers and cheese for other fillings. Use tomato paste instead of mustard for children.
Questions and answers
Can I make pinwheels ahead of time?
Yes. Slice and arrange them on a tray, cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Or freeze the unbaked rounds on a tray, bag them for up to 2 months and bake from frozen, adding 3 to 5 minutes.
Why did my pinwheels unroll in the oven?
The roll was loose or the seam was not sealed. Roll tightly, seal the clear border with egg, finish seam side down and chill before slicing.
How do I reheat leftover pinwheels?
Warm them on a tray at 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes to bring back the crispness. A microwave makes the pastry soft.
How long does it take to make Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels?
About 38 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 385 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
