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Easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Pretzel Bites

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These Easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheel Pretzel Bites are a quick and delicious appetizer made with crescent rolls, cream cheese, ham, and cheddar, given a pretzel twist with a baking soda bath. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or a last-minute snack, they come together in under 30 minutes and are always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup cooked ham, finely diced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1/3 cup baking soda
  • 3 cups hot water
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt, for sprinkling
  • Honey mustard, for serving (optional)
  • Spicy brown mustard, for serving (optional)
  • Queso or cheese sauce, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, diced ham, shredded cheddar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir until evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. In a small bowl, combine hot water and baking soda. Stir until mostly dissolved; set aside.
  4. Open one can of crescent rolls and unroll onto a clean surface. Press the perforated seams together to form a solid rectangle. Repeat with the second can.
  5. Divide the cream cheese mixture in half and spread evenly over each dough rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border on one long edge.
  6. Starting from the long edge with filling, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Press the seam to seal. Repeat with the second rectangle.
  7. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice each log into 8-10 pieces, about 1 inch thick.
  8. Working one at a time, dip each pinwheel into the baking soda water for about 10 seconds. Let excess drip off, then place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
  9. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Lightly brush the top of each pinwheel with the egg wash.
  10. Generously sprinkle coarse sea salt or pretzel salt over the tops.
  11. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown and filling is bubbly.
  12. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Serve warm.

Notes

For best results, ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature. Do not overfill the rolls. The baking soda bath is essential for the pretzel texture. Let pinwheels rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to prevent burns from hot filling. Can be prepared up to step 7 and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and cheese pinwheels, pretzel bites, crescent roll appetizer, easy appetizer, party food, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-ham-and-cheese-pinwheel-pretzel-bites/