Ham and Cream Cheese Pickle Roll-Ups

These pickle roll-ups are a simple, crowd-pleasing snack made by spreading softened cream cheese over slices of deli ham, sprinkling on a little everything seasoning, and rolling each slice snugly around a whole dill pickle. Slice them and you get neat little pinwheels with a bright green pickle center, a creamy white ring and a rosy edge of ham. They take about 10 minutes, need no cooking at all, and work just as well on a party platter as they do as an afternoon snack straight from the fridge.

Why You’ll Like These Ham and Cream Cheese Pickle Roll-Ups

Every bite hits salty, tangy, creamy and crunchy all at once. The cold, crisp pickle snaps when you bite into it, the cream cheese mellows out the brine, and the ham wraps everything up with a savory, slightly smoky flavor. A pinch of everything seasoning adds toasty crunch and a hint of garlic and onion.

• No cooking: just spread, roll and chill.
• Three main ingredients: ham, dill pickles and cream cheese, plus a pinch of seasoning.
• Party-friendly: serve them whole as a snack or slice them into bite-size pinwheels for a crowd.
• Low-carb friendly: naturally light on carbs, so they make an easy snack if you are cutting back on bread and crackers.

Ingredients for Ham and Cream Cheese Pickle Roll-Ups

For the Roll-Ups

• 8 slices Black Forest-style deli ham
• 8 whole dill pickles, patted dry
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

For the Topping

• 1 tsp everything seasoning
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper (optional)
• Fresh dill, finely chopped (optional)

You will need paper towels, a butter knife or small offset spatula, a cutting board and a sharp knife. Makes 8 roll-ups. Prep time is 10 minutes, with an optional 20 to 30 minutes of chilling.

Ingredient Notes

The ham: Black Forest-style deli ham has a gentle smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the pickles, but any thinly sliced deli ham works. Choose large, round or oval slices that are wide enough to wrap fully around a pickle.

The pickles: Whole dill pickles give you that classic green center when sliced. Look for firm, fairly straight pickles about as long as your ham slices are wide.

The cream cheese: Let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes, until it spreads easily. Soft cream cheese glides over the ham without tearing it and acts as the glue that holds each roll together.

The everything seasoning: This is a blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion and salt. You can easily mix your own. The ham and pickles are already salty, so skip any extra salt.

How to Make Ham and Cream Cheese Pickle Roll-Ups

Step by Step

1. Dry the pickles. Pat each pickle very dry with paper towels, rolling it around to soak up the brine on all sides.
2. Lay out the ham. Place a slice of ham flat on a cutting board.
3. Spread the cream cheese. Spread about 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese in an even layer over the ham, all the way to the edges.
4. Season. Sprinkle a pinch of everything seasoning over the cream cheese, plus a little cracked black pepper and chopped fresh dill if you like.
5. Add the pickle. Place a pickle along one edge of the ham slice.
6. Roll it up. Roll the ham tightly around the pickle, pressing gently as you go so the cream cheese seals the seam. Set the roll-up seam-side down.
7. Repeat. Repeat with the remaining ham, cream cheese, seasoning and pickles.
8. Chill and serve. For clean, neat slices, cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes, then cut into bite-size pinwheels. Or skip the chill and serve them whole.

Tips for the Best Ham and Cream Cheese Pickle Roll-Ups

Dry the Pickles Really Well

This is the most important step. Wet pickles make the cream cheese slide off and the roll-ups unravel.

Spread to the Edges

An even layer of cream cheese all the way to the edges helps the ham stick to itself, so the seam stays closed without toothpicks.

Roll Snug, Not Squished

Roll firmly enough that there are no gaps between the ham and pickle, but not so hard that the cream cheese squeezes out the ends.

Chill Before Slicing

A short rest in the fridge firms up the cream cheese, so the pinwheels hold their round shape and the layers look clean.

Use a Sharp Knife

Slice with a sharp knife using a gentle sawing motion. Wipe the blade between cuts for the neatest pinwheels, and add a toothpick to each piece for easy grabbing.

Variations

• Sharp cheddar: lay a thin slice of sharp cheddar over the cream cheese before adding the pickle for extra richness.
• Crispy bacon bits: sprinkle crispy bacon bits over the cream cheese for a smoky, salty crunch.
• Jalapeño cream cheese: swap in jalapeño cream cheese, or stir finely chopped jalapeño into plain cream cheese, for a little heat.
• Smoked paprika: dust the cream cheese with smoked paprika instead of, or along with, the everything seasoning for a warm, smoky flavor and a pop of color.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store pickle roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Whole roll-ups keep better than sliced ones.

Make-ahead: Roll them up to a day ahead, wrap tightly and refrigerate. Slice and add toothpicks right before guests arrive.

Serving: Keep them chilled until serving and do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Freezer: Freezing is not recommended. The pickles turn soft and watery, and the cream cheese becomes grainy once thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pickle spears instead of whole pickles?

Yes. Spears roll up just as easily and give you a smaller, half-moon center when sliced. Pat them dry and use one or two per slice of ham, depending on size.

Why do my pickle roll-ups keep unrolling?

Usually the pickles are still wet or the cream cheese is too cold to spread to the edges. Dry the pickles well, use soft cream cheese, roll snugly and rest them seam-side down in the fridge to set.

Are pickle roll-ups low carb?

Ham, dill pickles and cream cheese are all naturally low in carbs, so these make a handy low-carb snack. Check the labels on your ham and pickles, since some include added sugar.

What should I serve with ham and cream cheese pickle roll-ups?

Set them out with cheese cubes, olives, crunchy raw vegetables, deviled eggs or a simple veggie dip for an easy snack board.