Ham and Pickle Roll Ups

Looking for the ultimate party appetizer that takes minutes to make but disappears in seconds?

These Ham and Pickle Roll Ups are about to become your new go-to for everything from game day gatherings to impromptu happy hours. They’re ridiculously simple but pack a flavor punch that keeps everyone coming back for “just one more.”

The magic is in the combination of creamy, salty, and tangy all in one bite-sized package.

The cool cream cheese against the savory ham with that signature pickle crunch creates a texture and flavor experience that’s seriously addictive. I’ve watched entire platters of these vanish before I could even announce they were ready!

Ingredients

For the Roll Ups:

• 1/2 pound thinly sliced ham (lunch meat style)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 large kosher dill pickles, patted dry

Steps

1. Place the 4 ounces of cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. The cream cheese should be completely smooth with no lumps. Important: Don’t substitute pre-whipped cream cheese as it’s too watery and will make your roll-ups soggy.
2. Lay one piece of ham flat on your cutting board. Make sure the ham slices are completely separated and not sticking together for easier assembly.
3. Using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread a thin layer of whipped cream cheese over the entire surface of the ham slice. You can adjust the thickness according to preference—approximately 1-2 teaspoons per slice gives good coverage without overflow.
4. Place one dried pickle at one end of the cream cheese-covered ham. Position it about 1/2 inch from the edge for easier rolling. The pickle must be thoroughly patted dry with paper towels to prevent the roll-ups from becoming soggy.
5. Starting from the pickle end, tightly roll the ham around the pickle, applying gentle pressure to ensure the cream cheese helps seal the roll. The tighter the roll, the easier it will be to slice.
6. Using a sharp chef’s knife (not a serrated knife), slice the pickle roll into 1/2-inch pieces. Clean your knife between cuts for the neatest presentation. If the rolls are falling apart, your pickles might be too wet or your cream cheese too soft.
7. Arrange the slices cut-side up on a serving platter and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the cream cheese to firm up, making the roll-ups easier to pick up and eat.

Smart Swaps

• Replace cream cheese with whipped goat cheese for a tangier flavor profile
• Swap ham for thinly sliced turkey to reduce sodium content
• Try bread and butter pickles instead of dill for a sweeter variation
• Use flavored cream cheese (like herb and garlic) to add another dimension of flavor

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Choose reduced-sodium ham to lower salt content while maintaining protein
• Use light cream cheese to reduce fat and calories by approximately 30% per serving
• Serve with cucumber rounds instead of crackers to reduce carbs by about 5g per serving
• Limit portion size to 3-4 roll-ups per serving, which contains approximately 2g of carbs

Pro Tips

• For perfect slices, refrigerate the assembled rolls for 30 minutes before cutting
• Use a piece of dental floss instead of a knife for ultra-clean cuts
• Serve with toothpicks for easy grabbing at parties
• These can be made up to 24 hours in advance for stress-free entertaining