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These ham and cheese swords are a delicious bite-sized meal kids love. Learn all my tips for keeping them fresh for hours until lunch.
Ham and Cheese Sandwich Roll-Ups
When I want to surprise my kids with a “fun” school lunch, these ham and cheese roll-ups never disappoint! Packed with big flavor in a mini size, it’s the perfect quick and easy lunch idea for my youngest to devour even when he’s busy chatting.
Just like my Ham and Cheese Apple Wraps or Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins, these rolls are a handheld option that's simple to pack and perfect for busy school days!
Ingredients
Just 4 ingredients is all you need to whip this together in a few short minutes.
- Sandwich Bread: You can use any type of bread - white, whole wheat, or gluten-free - as long as it's soft and easy to roll.
- Ham: I love using deli ham for this recipe, but you can easily substitute it with turkey or roast beef; low sodium and nitrate-free versions are a great option.
- Cheese: Thin slices of cheese add a creamy texture and boost the protein: try cheddar, Swiss, Colby jack, or whatever you have in the fridge.
- Mayonnaise: Adding a thin layer of mayo or mustard can give the roll-ups extra flavor and moisture.
How to Pack Ham Sandwich Roll-Ups on a Stick for Lunch
Making these roll-ups is simple and with these helpful tips, you can keep it fresh inside a lunch box for hours:
- Prep the Bread
Cut off the crusts and flatten the bread with a rolling pin. Flattening the bread first helps it hold the rolled shape. - Layer the Ingredients
Apply the mayonnaise or mustard and layer the ham and cheese. - Roll and Slice
Roll up the sandwiches, slice them into bite-sized pieces, and use bento picks to hold the rolls together. - Pack for school
Store the roll ups in the main compartment of the lunch container, and pack sides like fresh fruit or veggies in separate sections to keep them crisp; if you don't use the bento picks, place rolls snugly into a container so they stay rolled until lunch. Keep refrigerated if prepping the night before.
School Lunch Packing Tips
Here are some additional tips to ensure lunch success!
Keep it cool
Add an ice pack to keep the ingredients fresh and safe until lunchtime.
Use the right container
A sturdy lunch container with compartments will help prevent items from sliding around or getting squished inside the lunch bag.
Variety
Even my kids get tired of their favorite foods if they have them too many days in a row. My pro tip is to try and get creative with leftovers to switch things up each day and keep meals exciting and full of variety!
Better than Store-Bought
Prepackaged foods can be loaded with preservatives and sodium, so I try to create healthier versions of my kids’ favorites when possible, like chicken nuggets, Doritos, Lunchables, and even Uncrustables. That way, they get the flavors they love with better ingredients!
Balance
We all need a balance of healthy carbs, fats, and proteins to keep our brains sharp throughout the day. I have plenty of ideas you can mix-and-match to achieve this goal.
Other Fun Ways to Make Sandwiches
Just the other day, my youngest son came up with his own twist on a sandwich when he created a peanut butter and Nutella roll. SO good! If you're looking for other fun ways to switch up a classic sandwich, you may like gluten-free Uncrustables, a chicken salad croissant, and the everything bagel sandwich.
Ham & Cheese Sandwich Roll Ups on a Stick
Ingredients
- 2 slices of sandwich bread
- Mayonnaise, optional
- 2 ounces sliced ham
- 2 thin slices of cheese, any
Instructions
Prep:
- Using a serrated knife, remove the crusts from the sandwich bread. This makes it easier to roll.
Assemble:
- Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice of bread, flipping them over a couple of times to roll over both sides.
- Spread a very thin layer of mayonnaise on the bread. Layer the ham and the cheese on top of each piece of bread. And, starting on one end, roll the bread slice forward while tucking in the ham and the cheese. Slice each roll into 3 to 4 pieces and pace them inside a lunch container.
- Add fresh fruit and veggies and any other sides inside separate lunch containers or compartments of the lunch box.
Pack for school:
- Refrigerate the lunch until you're ready to pack it inside an insulated bag for school, with an ice pack if necessary.
Pam says
So delicious and fun lunch idea for the kids!! Love it!!
Ali says
This is the cutest way to make my little one eat a sandwich and she always falls for it
Thresa says
These ham and cheese roll ups are such a great idea for school lunch!
Isla says
My kids love these ham & cheese roll ups, they say the sandwich tastes better this way. Thank you for the tip!
Tonya says
My son was getting sick of sandwiches and I was absolutely stumped on what to send him with to school that he would ACTUALLY eat. Well, we tried these sandwich roll ups today and they were a huge hit. Empty lunchbox came home from school today for the first time in a long time!