Baked Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll Ups are a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer made with sliced deli ham, melty cheese, and a touch of barbecue sauce. These ham and cheese pinwheels are great for parties, game day, or a quick family snack.
Crescent Roll Ham and Cheese Roll Ups
This version uses refrigerated crescent roll dough as a convenient shortcut. The dough is rolled into a single rectangle, layered with thinly sliced ham, brushed lightly with barbecue sauce, sprinkled with shredded cheese, then rolled and sliced into pinwheels. They bake quickly and are easy to eat—perfect finger food for gatherings.
These roll ups are a twist on classic baked ham and cheese sliders, streamlined for ease and portability. You can pair them with other appetizer favorites for a varied spread.
Ingredients
Simple pantry ingredients make this recipe fast to assemble. Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough — one 8-oz container (any brand will do)
- Shredded cheese — cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or your favorite
- Sliced deli ham — thinly sliced (about 6–9 slices depending on size)
- Barbecue sauce — a tablespoon to brush, plus extra for dipping if desired
How to Make Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll Ups
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil (spray foil lightly with cooking spray).
Open the tube of crescent dough and roll it out on a clean surface into one large rectangle. If you find crescent sheets, those work too. Lay the ham slices so they cover the dough evenly, then lightly brush the ham with barbecue sauce.
Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the ham, keeping the amount moderate (about ½ cup) to avoid excess melt and run-off. Roll the dough tightly from the long side, similar to making cinnamon rolls, and slice the log into roughly ½-inch pieces with a sharp or serrated knife.
Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 12–15 minutes, until golden brown and set. Watch them closely near the end of baking to prevent overbrowning. Let cool briefly on a wire rack or the counter before serving.
Recipe Tip
Work with cold dough straight from the refrigerator to prevent stretching while rolling. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the assembled log for 10–15 minutes before slicing so the pinwheels hold their shape. Always line the baking sheet and spray lightly to make cleanup easy.
These roll ups are delicious straight from the oven, and they’re also great with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping. Let them cool slightly so the cheese sets before serving.
Variations
Customize the fillings based on what you like or have on hand. Try different ham varieties such as honey ham or black forest ham. Swap cheeses—pepper jack, a Mexican blend, Swiss, or provolone all work well. Keep sliced cheeses thin so they melt evenly without weighing down the dough.
Switch up sauces and seasonings for new flavor profiles: Dijon mustard, honey mustard, ketchup, or hot sauce can replace barbecue sauce. Add seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or a touch of brown sugar depending on whether you want savory, spicy, or sweet notes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. To prepare ahead, assemble the roll, slice, and bake briefly until just set; cool and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, finish baking until golden and heated through so the pinwheels taste fresh.
Baked Ham and Cheese Crescent Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 1 — 8-oz container refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 6–9 slices deli ham, thinly sliced
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce (plus more for dipping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray lightly if using foil.
- Roll dough out on a clean, flat surface into one large rectangle.
- Layer ham evenly over the dough.
- Lightly spread BBQ sauce over the ham.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly over the ham.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long side and slice into ½-inch pieces.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake 12–15 minutes, until golden brown and firm.
- Serve warm with additional barbecue sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
The amount of ham depends on slice size; usually 6–9 slices works well. Avoid adding too much cheese to reduce meltover during baking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Additional Info
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Happy munching,
