Creamy Pickle Roll Ups

I remember a chilly afternoon at my sister’s cabin in the Upper Midwest, surrounded by snowbanks, chatter, and the smell of firewood. She had invited the whole family over—kids, cousins, neighbors—one of those open-door kind of gatherings.

Everyone brought something for the table, and her neighbor Cathy walked in with a plate that didn’t stay full for more than five minutes. I took a bite and paused. Creamy, tangy, warm, and wrapped in golden flaky pastry. I had to ask her what was in it, and she laughed, “Oh honey, it’s just pickle roll ups with a little magic.”

Of course, I went home and made them the very next day—but with a few of my own touches. I added ranch seasoning to the cream cheese, swapped pickle spears for relish to keep each bite balanced, and brushed the tops with buttery dill before baking. The result? A tray of perfectly golden bites that disappeared just as quickly at our next potluck.

Every time I bake them now, it feels like inviting my younger self into the kitchen—curious, a bit experimental, and always looking to turn humble ingredients into something people remember.

Short Description

Creamy Pickle Roll Ups are buttery, golden crescent bites filled with a tangy cream cheese and dill pickle mix, perfect for snacks, parties, or game-day platters.

Key Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
• ½ cup dill pickle relish or finely chopped dill pickles

For the Dough:

• 16 ounces crescent roll dough (2 cans, 8 ounces each)

For the Topping:

• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula or spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Sharp knife or bench scraper

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and pickle relish until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough
Unroll both cans of crescent dough. Pinch and press the seams to form two flat sheets.

Step 4: Spread the Filling
Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture across both dough sheets using a spatula.

Step 5: Roll and Slice
Starting from the short end, roll each sheet up tightly like a jelly roll. Slice each roll into 8 equal pieces using a sharp knife.

Step 6: Arrange and Brush
Place each roll, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Mix melted butter with dill and brush generously over the tops.

Step 7: Bake
Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until rolls are golden brown and crisp on the edges. Let cool slightly before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: The cream cheese and dill pickle combo delivers a creamy, tangy bite in every roll.

Quick and Easy: Just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep make this a go-to for last-minute snacks.

Versatile: Ideal for parties, lunchboxes, or late-night cravings.

Crowd-Pleaser: These never last long—they’re one of those snacks guests always ask the recipe for.

Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep and refrigerate them ahead of time, then bake when ready.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overfilling the Dough
Issue: Filling leaks out during baking.
Solution: Spread an even layer, leaving a small border along the edges.

Seams Splitting Open
Issue: Dough unrolls or bursts.
Solution: Pinch seams well and roll tightly, especially at the start of the roll.

Undercooked Centers
Issue: Rolls are golden outside but doughy inside.
Solution: Bake on the middle rack and rotate halfway for even cooking.

Too Salty
Issue: Pickle relish plus ranch can make it overly salty.
Solution: Use low-sodium ranch mix or rinse chopped pickles briefly before adding.

Tough Texture
Issue: Rolls are chewy instead of flaky.
Solution: Avoid overhandling the dough and do not overbake.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve warm from the oven as a finger food or light snack.

Perfect for potlucks, picnics, tailgates, or holiday appetizers.

Pair with cold lemonade, sparkling water, or a crisp lager or pilsner.

For a heartier option, serve alongside soup, chili, or grilled meats.

Serve family-style on a big platter with toothpicks or as part of a game-day

Storage and Reheating Tips

To Store:

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To Reheat:

Reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 325°F for 5–7 minutes until warmed through.

Avoid the microwave—it softens the crust.

To Freeze:

Freeze unbaked rolls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag.

Bake directly from frozen, adding 2–3 extra minutes to the bake time.

spread.

FAQs

1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Roll and slice ahead, then refrigerate covered for up to 12 hours. Brush with butter and bake when ready.

2. What kind of pickles work best?
Use classic dill pickle relish or finely chopped dill pickles. Avoid sweet varieties—they throw off the flavor balance.

3. Can I use homemade dough?
Absolutely. A homemade crescent-style dough or puff pastry works great, but adjust baking time as needed.

4. Are these good served cold?
They’re best warm, but still tasty at room temp. If chilled, reheat briefly for best texture.

5. Can I use flavored cream cheese?
Yes, but keep it mild. Plain or herbed varieties work best. Avoid fruit-flavored or sweetened ones.

Tips & Tricks

Use a bench scraper to slice rolls cleanly without squishing them.

Let the cream cheese sit at room temp for easier spreading.

For more texture, sprinkle a pinch of everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.

If the dough gets too soft while working, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

Use fresh dill if possible—it brings out a brighter, more fragrant flavor.

Tips & Tricks

Use a bench scraper to slice rolls cleanly without squishing them.

Let the cream cheese sit at room temp for easier spreading.

For more texture, sprinkle a pinch of everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.

If the dough gets too soft while working, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

Use fresh dill if possible—it brings out a brighter, more fragrant flavor.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Pickle Roll Ups

Add 1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeños to the filling.

Sprinkle crushed red pepper over the butter topping before baking.

Bacon Ranch Pickle Rolls

Stir in ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon to the cream cheese mixture.

Brush rolls with a mix of butter and bacon drippings for extra flavor.

Cheddar Dill Swirls

Add ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar to the filling.

Use a cheddar-stuffed crescent dough if available.

Garlic-Herb Pickle Rolls

Mix 1 clove minced garlic and 1 teaspoon Italian herbs into the cream cheese mixture.

Top with garlic butter and a pinch of parmesan before baking.

Final Thoughts

These Creamy Pickle Roll Ups started as a passing taste at a winter potluck and have now become one of my go-to recipes when I want to surprise people with something different. The sharpness of the pickles, the richness of cream cheese, the buttery flakes of the crescent, each bite holds a little celebration.

I’ve made these for church gatherings, sleepovers with the grandkids, even brunches where they somehow outshone the fancy quiches. They’re proof that joy doesn’t have to be complicated. A warm oven, a handful of ingredients, and a little curiosity, that’s all it takes.