Ham Roll-Ups a Delicious Snack, Lunchbox Treat, Appetizer, or Game-Day Party Finger-Food! Whether you’re looking for creative ideas for appetizers, parties, snacks, or to beat lunchbox boredom, these ham roll-ups are a delicious salty, addictive, low-carb, small bite treat that adults and kids both will love!
In a small bowl, stir the cream cheese with a small rubber spatula or spreader until smooth. If making Minnesota Sushi add two tablespoons ranch dressing mix; for Okra Dokies, add 2 tablespoons diced pimentos stirring until thoroughly combined.
Using one slice of ham at a time, lay the ham on a cutting board. Pat dry with a paper towel. Then spread an even layer of the cream cheese mixture edge-to-edge.
6 slices Deli Ham
Cut the ends off each pickle or okra spear. Pat the spears dry with a paper towel and lay them on the cream cheese mixture already spread on the ham.
6 5-6-inch long Dill Pickle or Okra spears
Tightly roll each spear up in the ham. Use toothpicks to hold them together if needed.
6 slices Deli Ham, 8 ounces Cream Cheese, 6 5-6-inch long Dill Pickle or Okra spears
Cut the ham rolls into 1/2-3/4-inch slices. Place on a plate or platter. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
6 slices Deli Ham, 8 ounces Cream Cheese, 6 5-6-inch long Dill Pickle or Okra spears
KITCHEN NOTES
Footnotes:[1] Deli Ham: Kretschmar off-the-bone hardwood-smoked ham is our absolute favorite for flavor. But you could also use any premium off-the-bone ham for this appetizer. Choose deli slices that are not paper-thin but uniformly thin sliced for best results. You could also substitute corned beef, roast beef, chicken, or turkey deli meat.[2] Cream Cheese: We typically use block cream cheese warmed at room temperature. If it’s last-minute, you could also warm the cream cheese in the microwave at 20-second intervals at 50% power until it is at a spreadable consistency. The whipped variety of cream cheese in tubs will work as an alternative too.[3] Pickle or Okra Spears: Claussen’s refrigerated Kosher Dills or Talk O’ Texas (Hot or Mild) Okra are two of our favorite brands if we’re buying them. Still, many great brands and local varieties are available at most stores. Alternatively, we’ve used our own processed pickles and okra from our garden. The main thing you’re looking for is a crispness in the pickles or okra you use. Also, depending on the size, you may want to half or quarter the pickles to fit in the roll-up better.[4] Yield: One batch of this recipe will make approximately 25-30 ham roll-ups about 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick (more or less), depending on how thick or thin you slice them.[5] Pre-prep: These are perfect appetizers to pre-prep up to 24 hours before. Follow the instructions (above) through step four. Store uncut roll-ups in an airtight container until needed. Before serving, slice into bite-size pieces (1/2 to 3/4-inch thick), securing each pinwheel with toothpicks if necessary.[6] Troubleshooting:• If pickles or okra are not long enough to reach the outside edges of the ham slice, fit two spears (or a whole spear and another half or piece) end-to-end to reach. Another option is to slice the ham into strips to fit the pickle or okra spear.• Don’t have any ranch dressing mix or pimentos? Think about other things you might have on hand. Add chopped scallions, diced red pepper, bits of jalapeno, or mince fresh herbs to add another layer of flavor to the cream cheese before spreading.