Easy Party Appetizer (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed gently overnight (keep it chilled!)
02 -
3 generous tablespoons of tangy Dijon mustard
03 -
12 slices of top-quality deli ham (choose the thin-cut variety, about 10 ounces total)
04 -
2 cups of freshly shredded cheese - pick your favorite melty one like Gruyere, Swiss, fontina, or sharp cheddar (roughly 5 ounces)
→ Optional Garnish
05 -
Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or chives (chopped fine for a pop of color and flavor)
# Instructions:
01 -
Grab a nice large sheet of plastic wrap and lay it across your counter. If you need to, overlap two pieces to create one bigger sheet. Take your first puff pastry sheet, unfold it gently in the center, and roll it out to about 10x12 inches.
02 -
Spread 1½ tablespoons of that zesty mustard across the pastry, but leave about half an inch untouched around the edges.
03 -
Arrange 6 slices of ham on top of the mustard, overlapping them slightly like shingles. Now comes the best part - sprinkle 1 cup of your chosen cheese evenly over everything.
04 -
Starting from the long edge (that's the 12-inch side), carefully roll the pastry like you would a cinnamon roll. Trim off any uneven edges, then wrap the log snugly in that plastic wrap. Pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.
05 -
Time to do it all over again with your second sheet of pastry and the rest of your ingredients.
06 -
While your logs are chilling, heat your oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or your trusty silicone mats.
07 -
Once chilled, grab a sharp serrated knife and slice each log into ½-inch rounds. You should get about 24 perfect little pinwheels from each log.
08 -
Place your pinwheels on the prepared sheets, giving them about an inch of breathing room. Bake until they're beautifully golden and the cheese is all melty and bubbly - about 18 minutes.
09 -
The moment they come out, sprinkle with fresh herbs if you're using them. Let them cool just a bit before serving - these are delicious warm or at room temperature.
# Notes:
01 -
These crowd-pleasing pinwheels freeze beautifully - bake them completely, freeze flat, then transfer to an airtight container for up to a month.
02 -
To reheat straight from the freezer, simply pop them on a lined baking sheet at 375°F until warmed through.
03 -
Leftovers can hang out at room temperature for up to 3 days - just warm them briefly in a 375°F oven to bring back their crispy charm.