Ham and Cheese Pinwheels – A Kid-Pleasing Lunch!

These ham and cheese pinwheels are easy to make and fun to eat. They’re a perfect option for a picky eater’s lunch box and friends, they are a GREAT lunch recipe for kids.

If you’re preparing for a party, these make a wonderful appetizer. And no matter what occasion you’re making them for, they are easy to make ahead of time.

Close up of ham and cheese tortilla roll up sandwiches on a red plate with text which reads ham and cheese pinwheels.
This easy pinwheel sandwich recipe for kids and adults makes a perfect lunch, picnic food, or appetizer (and it’s so easy)!

RELATED READING: The Best Pinwheel Recipes – Flavors for Kids and Adults!

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels – Perfect Lunch Recipe for Kids

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are HUGE fans of easy recipes the kids can learn to make themselves. Getting the kids into the kitchen to help with preparing school lunches is a great idea to actually get them to eat their lunch.

When our daughter started school, it was a struggle because she would:

  • socialize during lunch
  • nibble on her lunch (always the easy-to-eat vegetables or fruit)
  • be starving when she came home

I began having her help me prepare her lunches and when we made fun lunch ideas like these pinwheels, she actually ate her lunch!

Make these easy ham and cheese pinwheels and you will have a school lunch they will actually eat!
This easy ham and cheese pinwheel recipe can be made without cream cheese for picky eaters.

RELATED READING: Back to School Chalkboard Treats – This Will WOW! Them

Mix Up the Cream Cheese Flavors for This Pinwheel Recipe

This recipe makes 6-8 pinwheels which is about 2.5 servings. Because you’re making 2 tortilla’s worth of yummy ham and cheese pinwheels, consider changing up the cream cheese flavors.

Kids will love regular cream cheese, but these are very tasty with a garden or chive and onion and garden vegetable. When making these for an appetizer, the ‘grown up’ cream cheese will be appreciated.

Steps to make a pinwheel sandwich with deli ham and cheddar cheese, lettuce, and cream cheese.
These easy sandwiches are great with plain flour tortillas, but a spinach tortilla is a good swap.

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels Without Cream Cheese

This recipe can easily be adapted to be made without cream cheese for those picky eaters or finicky toddlers. These tortilla roll ups can stay together (with or without picks) when leaving off the cream cheese entirely.

If you want to add back some more protein to the recipe, consider adding a different types of cheese. Kids also love this pinwheel recipe without cream cheese when shredded cheese is melted onto the tortilla before other ingredients are added.

Another way to make these even more friendly to toddlers or picky eaters is to add one of their favorite: Ranch seasoning!

RELATED READING: BACON RANCH PINWHEEL SANDWICHES – YUMMY!

Assemble with Style – Pinwheel Recipes are Fun for Kids

These tortilla pinwheels are the perfect recipe to get the kids in the kitchen! Their little hands will need help rolling, but the rest can be done by them with minimal supervision.

If you’re making these a lot for school lunches (you will be), consider picking up reusable food picks. My daughter loves picking out new designs.

Finally, a way to make these ahead of time, is to form the pinwheels, secure them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a day or so. That is also one of the reasons this makes a great party appetizer – I love prepping in advance!

Ham and Cheese Pinwheel sandwiches rolled up in tortillas with picks on white plate.

Please Save or Share These Ham and Cheese Rolled Sandwiches

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Split vertical image of close up tortilla roll ups which reads kid-friendly ham and cheese pinwheels.

More Easy Pinwheel Sandwiches and Tortilla Roll Ups

Get the Printable Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches Recipe Here

Yield: 10

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels - A Kid-Pleasing Lunch!

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Kids will love this easy ham and cheese pinwheel sandwiches for school, lunches, picnics, and parties. This easy food can be made ahead, and even be made without the cream cheese for the picky eaters. Get the easy recipe at Ruffles and Rain Boots.

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large tortillas, look for "burrito size"
  • 4 leaves lettuce, we used Romaine
  • 10-12 slices deli ham, 1 small package
  • 8 slices cheese (cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, or Colby Jack)
  • 4 tbsp cream cheese
  • optional, Ranch Dressing (seasoning mix)

Instructions

  1. Lay the tortillas flat and spread about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese on each.
  2. Next, layer the ham onto the tortillas.
  3. On top of the ham, add lettuce.
  4. The last ingredient, add on the 4 slices of cheese to each tortilla.
  5. Roll the tortillas tightly and slice into 2-inch sections.
  6. Use a toothpick or reusable food picks to secure each wheel.
  7. Serve these immediately or store in the refrigerator. Pack a school lunch with a cool pack. how to make a pinwheel

Notes

For more tasty food for kids, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 608mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g

All nutrition information is estimated. For accuracy, please calculate your exact brands and ingredients if accuracy is desired.

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