These Ham Roll Ups with Pickle are literally the easiest things you will ever make. Perfect for after-school snacks, appetizers or finger-foods for parties.
Ham Roll Ups with Pickle
With school back in session, I am always trying to be creative with snacks or lunchbox ideas. These ham and pickle roll ups are so ridiculously easy but my kids LOVE them… and I loved them when I was growing up! They are so simple, the kids can do it themselves (with adult help cutting them, of course.) Though sometimes my kids like to eat them whole without even being cut. Anyway, these are so easy, I wondered if I should even put them on here, but after talking to a friend who had never heard of them before I figured I should put them on as more of idea than anything (sometimes we just need a little memory jog for snack ideas).
Great as an appetizer
These are also perfect for a quick last minute appetizer (think football season) or finger food for parties. Last time I made these, I served them with with these Finger Sandwiches for a lemonade “tea” party for my little girls. They complemented each other perfectly.
Some substitutions to try
If you don’t have pickles on hand or you simply don’t want to add the pickle, just leave it out. They are great either way! Sometimes I will just use ham (or turkey), cream cheese and jalapeno jelly to switch things up (oh man, I love it that way). Any of these ways are a great alternative to sandwiches for lunchboxes (my youngest loves picking apart sandwiches and eating everything but the bread.. anyone else have one of those kids? This is a great way to save bread…). If you have made these before, what variations do you like to do? We love hearing your ideas!
A few readers suggestions to this tasty recipe include:
- Adding Good Seasoning Ranch (dry) to the cream cheese for some added flavor.
- Add garlic salt and minced onion to the cream cheese — or try chive and onion cream cheese
- Try with dried beef slices instead of ham
- All sorts of pickles
More appetizers to sample
Having a party? Have these yummy Ham Roll Ups with Pickle on the side of our mouthwatering Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Brown Sugar. You may also want to include these other appetizers:
- Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies
- Easy Twice Baked Potatoes
- Spinach Artichoke Dip in a Bread Bowl
- Strawberry Jalapeño Beef Polska Kielbasa Bites
How to make Ham Roll Ups with Pickle
Ingredients
- 5 slices deli ham I like it sliced slightly thicker than sandwich slices
- 3-5 ounces cream cheese
- 5 dill pickle spears (or 10 baby dill pickles, use 2 per roll up)
Instructions
- Evenly spread cream cheese on to each ham slice.
- Place dill pickle spear at the end of each slice and roll up.
- Using a sharp knife, cut each roll cross-wise into 1/2" to 1" pieces.
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Those look really good. My pickling cucumbers went wild this summer and I canned nine gallons of garlic dills. I think they will work nicely with this.
Jessica Ford says
Oh, I love these! Thanks for the memory jog! I haven’t made them in a long time.
Echo says
You are welcome! It is a fun recipe!
Latisha Curry says
Do you let the pickles dry alittle before rolling with the meat and cream cheese?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yes, that will help the pickles stick to the cream cheese better.
Jan says
I love these! My mom used tI make them and now I do too. We alWays use Claussen pIckles. SometiMeds I switchIt up And use chive And onion cTeam cheese.
Cindy says
I used to make these for parties, but instead of using ham, we used dried beef slices that are sold in either a small jar or sometimes sold in a larger foil pouch. We also used the Vlasic jar of #4 dill pickles which were more tangy and had garlic seasoning in the jar also. It was fine to use regular dill pickles too, but we just preferred the tangy ones if they were in stock at our local grocery.
JoBeth says
How many will this recipe make? I have a large party coming up so I am not sure it I should double or triple this. Does the recipe make abt 20 cut roll up?
Erica says
Yes, I would say this recipe makes about 20 cut up pieces total. At parties each person usually has 2-3 (if there is other food present)…
Jobeth says
Oh thank yourself much. I appreciate this information. Can’t wait to try making these
Gospelfan says
THANK YOU, I’ve searched several versions of the recipe, and you’re the first one to tell how many pieces it makes. Thank you! (I need to make em for 100 people, so i needed quantities so i can convert the recipe.)
Erica says
You are very welcome 😀
Tracy Pell says
I’ve found an important step is to dry the pickle of first before rolling them
Joy says
Add a little garlic salt and minced on in to the cream cheese. Just half teaspoon onion and a sprinkle of garlic powder. It knocks it up a notch
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yum! That sounds delicious! Will have to try that next time!
Jobeth says
I am wondering how many this recipe will make. Approx 20 or 40 etc
Jobeth says
Please disregard. I didn’t see Eric’s earlier response.
Judy says
Can you make these the day before?
Erica says
yep:) just cover and refrigerate
Denise says
Can you make them a couple of days before? I was thinking of wrapping them in handi-wrap, then slicing them two days later.
Erica says
I think that should totally be fine. If you wrap them up in plastic wrap they shouldn’t dry out. You may want to pat the pickles dry just so the juices don’t seep all over everything else. Other than that I think you should be good!
Lorraine says
Iam so going to make these! I know my family will love them! Thank you for sharing your recipe????
Mary Ann says
I dry my ham slices..stack them between paper towels till I’m ready to spread the cream cheese on..I roll the pickles in paper towel too…once they’re rolled, I chill them before slicing. Slice seam side down….and yes, they’re so simple and delicious. …always a favorite!!!
Lisa says
If making the night before, squeeze pickles between paper towels before wrapping in ham. If you don’t you will have a slimy bunch of pickle juice in the bottom of your container.
Echo says
Thank you for this tip! Great idea!
Jane says
Make every year but have always used sweet pickles. Will try the jalapeño jelly this year, thanks.
Jan says
Thank you! When I saw this recipe, my first thought was sweet pickles. Only way I can think of it. Glad to know someone has tried it and it works.
Fuzzer says
I add a sprinkle of Good Seasonings Ranch Dressing ( dry) to the cream cheese and it is delicious. Sure your going to love it.
Pam Opanowitz says
BTW This is a Keto friendly recipe as well. Nice to have at parties for those watching their carbs.
Fuzzer says
Add some dry Good Seasoning Ranch dressing to the cream cheese and it makes it even tastier.
Favorite Family Recipes says
I love that idea! Thanks for sharing!
Miranda says
Oh man, these look delicious. I was just thinking about how I’d love to make these with spicy pickles…but then saw your jalapeno jelly idea and I think I started drooling. Thanks for the idea!!!
Regina says
I use Boursin cheese… It’s a cream cheese with garlic and other flavors added in…..I find it in the deli section. It comes in a small green and white box.!
Erica Walker says
Yum! Gret idea!
Billy says
I cannot wait to make these at home. These look delicious! I love rollups like this and haven’t made them in so long.
Debra Hoffman says
I made these for the 4th of July get together, I added good seasonings ranch and sprinkled a little over the cream cheese, was such a hit, everyone loved them!!