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These Gluten-Free Ham and Pickle Roll Ups (aka pickle wraps) are literally the easiest things you will ever make. Perfect for after-school snacks, appetizers or finger-foods for parties.
Featured with this recipe
I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to make my kids’ lunches a little more fun. They’re growing up so fast, and I want them to have the best possible foods in their stomachs.
These Ham and Pickle Roll-Ups are so ridiculously easy to make, but they taste like a delicious treat from your childhood! They’re simple to make, and easy enough for even my kids to do on their own—plus they taste amazing. The pickles add just the right amount of crunch, but aren’t overpowering in any way. And the ham is a great low-carb protein source that keeps them feeling full all day long.
Ingredients
Only three simple ingredients are needed to make these ham pickle roll ups. You likely have them all in your refrigerator.
- Deli black forest ham or honey ham
- Cream cheese (reduced fat cream cheese can also be used)
- Pickle spears or baby dill pickles
Make Ham Rollups without a Pickle
If you don’t have pickles on hand, or you simply don’t want to add the pickle, just leave it out. We call these ham cream cheese roll ups. They are great either way! Sometimes I will just use ham (or turkey), cream cheese and jalapeño 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.
Some substitutions to try
These pickle rollups, or pinwheels, can be made dozens of different ways with all kinds of ingredients! I bet each one tastes better than the last! Thanks to a few readers suggestions here are some alternatives you can try:
- Mix Good Seasoning Ranch Dressing (dry) to the cream cheese mixture for some added flavor.
- Add garlic salt, bagel seasoning, ranch seasoning, herb seasoning, or minced onion to the cream cheese — or try chive and onion cream cheese.
- Use any deli meat you like: a slice of ham, salami, a thin layer of turkey or roast beef.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese in the rollups.
- Garnish with diced green onions, tomatoes, olives, fresh chives, or diced red pepper.
- Try with deli roast beef or turkey slices instead of ham.
- All sorts of pickles: sweet pickles are delicious in this appetizer recipe.
- Make tortilla roll ups by using a tortilla wrap. Layer the meat, cream cheese and pickles on flour tortillas and then roll it up and slice. We call these tortilla pinwheels and we layer them on a platter for an easy appetizer for family get-togethers.
- Make a lettuce wrap. Layer the meat, cream cheese and pickles a lettuce leaf and then roll it up and slice.
Bite-sized appetizer
These ham pickle rollups, sometimes called ham pickle wraps, are 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. If you want to make them ahead of time, cover each of the rollups individually in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge.
READ NEXT: How to Make Koolickles (Kool-Aid Pickles)
More appetizers to sample
Having a party? Try these or other appetizer recipes at your next game day party or family event. We have easy appetizer recipes for just about any occasion!
How to Make Ham and Pickle Roll Ups
Ham and Pickle Roll Ups
Video
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
- Lay out each slice of ham on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Evenly spread a layer of cream cheese on each ham slice with a butter knife.
- 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. Use toothpicks to secure roll ups in place if needed.
I made this as a low-carb snack for my 6yo, who has T1D. He loved it! But, as soon as my hubby saw it, he called it “redneck sushi.” 🤦🏽♀️ LOL
It is the perfect low-carb snack! I’m glad your son enjoyed it. Sorry your husband isn’t on board – haha.
Das good Ukraine dish
I am so excited to try these recipes thepicle ham roll up has been a go to thanks to a lovely lady at the colevei attende. I figured if she did all this for events i needed to learn. Thanks to all the strong ladies in my life….god rest myothers sou
I have been making these since my baby shower back in 1975..and still make them for every function..my family and friends love them
I love these for an afternoon snack for me and my kids!
So easy and delicious! My kids really liked them too!
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!!
I cannot wait to make these at home. These look delicious! I love rollups like this and haven’t made them in so long.
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.!
Yum! Gret idea!
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!!!
Add some dry Good Seasoning Ranch dressing to the cream cheese and it makes it even tastier.
I love that idea! Thanks for sharing!
This was the extra ‘thing’ I was looking for in this simple snack. Thank you.
BTW This is a Keto friendly recipe as well. Nice to have at parties for those watching their carbs.
Make every year but have always used sweet pickles. Will try the jalapeño jelly this year, thanks.
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.
I add a sprinkle of Good Seasonings Ranch Dressing ( dry) to the cream cheese and it is delicious. Sure your going to love it.
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.
Thank you for this tip! Great idea!
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!!!
Iam so going to make these! I know my family will love them! Thank you for sharing your recipe????
Can you make these the day before?
yep:) just cover and refrigerate
Can you make them a couple of days before? I was thinking of wrapping them in handi-wrap, then slicing them two days later.
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!
My pickles were dry, but the ham slices started sweating. I would put some clean paper towel in the bottom.
I am wondering how many this recipe will make. Approx 20 or 40 etc
Please disregard. I didn’t see Eric’s earlier response.
Grated some aged gouda into the cream cheese. Great flavor.
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?
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)…
Oh thank yourself much. I appreciate this information. Can’t wait to try making these
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.)
You are very welcome 😀
I’ve found an important step is to dry the pickle of first before rolling them
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
Yum! That sounds delicious! Will have to try that next time!
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.
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.
Oh, I love these! Thanks for the memory jog! I haven’t made them in a long time.
You are welcome! It is a fun recipe!
Do you let the pickles dry alittle before rolling with the meat and cream cheese?
Yes, that will help the pickles stick to the cream cheese better.
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.