These ham and cream cheese roll-ups with pickled green onions are a nostalgic, make-ahead appetizer—easy, tangy, and always a crowd-pleaser!

ham and cream cheese roll ups stacked on top of each other. - 1

Perfect Party Appetizer with Vintage Vibes

If you love a little vintage charm on your party table, these ham and cream cheese roll-ups with pickled green onions are just the ticket. They’re simple to make, super tasty, and give off all those classic grandma appetizer vibes that everyone loves. The key to getting that perfect tangy crunch is using my homemade pickled green onions — just make sure to prepare them at least overnight ahead of time so the flavors really develop.

These roll-ups are great for any gathering, whether it’s a casual get-together or a special occasion. They come together quickly once your pickled onions are ready and make a fun, bite-sized snack that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a regular party favorite in your rotation!

ham with cream cheese and green onions inside. - 2

Helpful Tips for Making Ham and Pickled Onion Roll-Ups

Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years from making them regularly.

  • Use room-temperature cream cheese — It spreads more smoothly and evenly, making rolling easier.
  • Pick the right ham — Go for thinly sliced deli ham for easy rolling and the best texture.
  • Don’t overfill — Two pickled green onions per roll-up gives a perfect balance of flavor without making them hard to roll.
  • Secure with toothpicks — This helps keep the roll-ups intact, especially if you’re prepping ahead or serving at a party. You can also use chopped-up straws or pieces of spaghetti as a fun alternative to toothpicks.
  • Serve fresh for best taste — These roll-ups shine when eaten soon after assembling, so make them close to serving time if possible.

Easy Steps to Prepare Ham and Pickled Onion Roll-Ups

Be sure your pickled green onions have rested at least overnight to let their flavor develop before using them in this recipe. Follow my recipe , but you can stop at step 3, no need to can them.

mason jar filled with pickled green onions in it. - 3

Lay one slice of deli ham flat on a clean surface.

slices of deli ham on cutting board. - 4

Spread a thin, even layer of softened cream cheese down the center of the ham slice.

cream cheese spread on ham. - 5

Place two whole pickled green onions horizontally across the cream cheese.

green onion and cream cheese on slices of deli ham. - 6

Roll the ham tightly around the green onions and secure with a toothpick (or use broken straws or pieces of spaghetti as an alternative).

plate filled with ham roll ups. - 7

These roll-ups taste best fresh but can be kept chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

ham roll ups on plate, ready to be served. - 8

Tips for Prepping Roll-Ups Before Your Event

You can definitely make these ham and cream cheese roll-ups ahead of time. After spreading the cream cheese and adding two whole pickled green onions, roll them up tightly and secure each one with a toothpick. Place the roll-ups in an airtight container in a single layer—if you need to stack them, separate the layers with parchment paper to keep them from squishing. Store the container in the fridge for up to 24 hours; this helps the flavors meld while keeping the texture fresh. Before serving, you can let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to take the chill off.

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These ham and cream cheese roll-ups with tangy pickled green onions have a nostalgic, vintage flavor that takes you back. Made with simple deli ham, creamy cheese, and crisp pickled onions, they’re a classic appetizer perfect for gatherings or quick snacks. Plus, they’re easy to prep ahead and always a crowd-pleaser. Bring a little old-school charm to your table with this timeless recipe! - 9
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Ingredients

  • ▢ 2 pounds deli ham slices
  • ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ▢ 56 whole pickled green onions (from my pickled green onions — see recipe)

Instructions

  • Make sure your pickled green onions have sat overnight (at the very minimum) to develop flavor before using them in this recipe.
  • Lay out one slice of deli ham flat on a clean surface.
  • Spread a thin, even layer of softened cream cheese in the middle of the ham slice.
  • Place two whole pickled green onions horizontally across the ham slice.
  • Roll the ham slice tightly around the green onions. Use a toothpick (or broken straws or spaghetti pieces) to hold them together.
  • These roll-ups are best served fresh but can be chilled in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
Ham & Cream Cheese Roll - 10

Ham & Cream Cheese Roll-Ups with Pickled Green Onions

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds deli ham slices
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 56 whole pickled green onions (from my pickled green onions — see recipe)

Instructions

  • Make sure your pickled green onions have sat overnight (at the very minimum) to develop flavor before using them in this recipe.
  • Lay out one slice of deli ham flat on a clean surface.
  • Spread a thin, even layer of softened cream cheese in the middle of the ham slice.
  • Place two whole pickled green onions horizontally across the ham slice.
  • Roll the ham slice tightly around the green onions. Use a toothpick (or broken straws or spaghetti pieces) to hold them together.
  • These roll-ups are best served fresh but can be chilled in the fridge until ready to enjoy.

Recipe Created by Pamela Reed for brooklynfarmgirl.com