Cuban bocaditos de jamón are a must have at every birthday party, baby shower, holiday gathering and family celebration. Growing up in a Cuban family, I can't remember a single celebration without a tray of these soft, buttery little sandwiches sitting front and center on the table. They were always one of the first things to disappear, and I would happily grab more than my fair share. What makes them so irresistible is the creamy, savory ham spread made with finely ground ham, roasted bell pepper, olives, mayonnaise, and cream cheese. Spread generously onto sweet, fluffy party rolls, these classic Cuban bocaditos are simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and guaranteed to bring a touch of nostalgia to any gathering.

Why you'll love this pasta de bocadito

A Cuban party classic: These bocaditos are a staple at Cuban birthdays, holidays, baby showers, and family gatherings, making them a nostalgic favorite for many.
Creamy and flavorful filling: The combination of ham, roasted bell pepper, olives, mayonnaise, and cream cheese creates a rich, savory spread packed with authentic Cuban flavor.
Easy to make ahead: The ham spread can be prepared in advance, making party prep simple and stress-free.
Perfect for feeding a crowd: These bite-sized sandwiches are ideal for entertaining and can easily be scaled up for large gatherings.
Soft, sweet, and satisfying: Served on fluffy party rolls, every bite delivers the perfect balance of creamy, salty, and slightly sweet flavors that guests of all ages love.

Key ingredients needed for these cuban party sandwiches

For the full list of ingredients and quantities, scroll down to the recipe card.

Smoked Ham – The star of the recipe, finely ground or processed ham creates the savory, creamy base that gives Cuban pasta de bocadito its signature flavor.
Cream cheese – Softened cream cheese adds richness and a smooth, spreadable texture while balancing the saltiness of the ham.
Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise makes the spread extra creamy and helps blend all of the ingredients into a light, fluffy consistency.
Roasted red peppers – Roasted red peppers add a subtle sweetness, vibrant color, and a mild smoky flavor that complements the ham beautifully.
Stuffed green olives – Finely chopped stuffed green olives provide the classic briny, tangy bite that makes traditional Cuban pasta de bocadito so distinctive.

How to make these Cuban finger sandwiches

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a paste forms and it has reached your desired consistency.

Place the spread in a storage container and put it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to chill.
To make the sandwiches, slice 24 hawaiian rolls in half to create a top and bottom bun. Then, generously spread the ham mix, place the top bun on the ham and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Variations for this Cuban ham spread

Extra Creamy: Increase the amount of cream cheese for a thicker, richer spread that's perfect for piping onto Cuban bread or crackers.
Smoother Texture: Increase the amount of mayonnaise for a thinner spread.
Spicy Kick: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
Garlic Flavor: Blend in a small clove of garlic or a pinch of garlic powder for extra depth without overpowering the classic flavor.
Deviled Ham Spread: Use canned deviled ham instead of traditional cooked ham for a slightly deeper, more robust flavor.
Serve it as a dip: You can also serve this ham spread as a dip with a variety of crackers such as club, saltines, ritz crackers

Substitutions

Ham: Leftover baked ham, deli ham, or sweet ham all work well. Just avoid honey-glazed ham, as it can make the spread overly sweet.
Cream Cheese: Neufchâtel cheese can be substituted for a lighter option with a similar creamy texture.
Stuffed Green Olives: Regular green olives, chopped Spanish olives, or even capers can provide a similar salty, briny flavor if pimento-stuffed olives aren't available.

Storage Instructions for Cuban pasta de bocadillo

Refrigerator

Store the ham spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as a small amount of liquid may separate during storage.

Make Ahead

Cuban pasta de bocadito is an excellent make-ahead recipe. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld together for an even more delicious spread.

Freezer

Although you can freeze the ham spread for up to 1 month, it's generally not recommended because the mayonnaise and cream cheese can separate and become grainy once thawed. If you do freeze it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before serving.

Serving After Storage

For the best texture and flavor, remove the ham spread from the refrigerator 15–20 minutes before serving. This allows it to soften slightly, making it easier to spread on Cuban bread, crackers, or sandwiches.

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Cuban Bocaditos De Jamon

Cuban ham spread served as a dip or as the filling in finger sandwiches

Prep Time5

Cooling Time12

Total Time17

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: cuban

Servings:

Calories: 168kcal

Author: Cari

Ingredients

Instructions

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a paste forms and it has reached your desired consistency.
Place the spread in a storage container and put it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to chill.
To make the sandwiches, slice 24 hawaiian rolls in half to create a top and bottom bun. Then, generously spread the ham mix, place the top bun on the ham and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

Variations for this Cuban ham spread

Extra Creamy: Increase the amount of cream cheese for a thicker, richer spread that's perfect for piping onto Cuban bread or crackers.
Smoother Texture: Increase the amount of mayonnaise for a thinner spread.
Spicy Kick: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
Garlic Flavor: Blend in a small clove of garlic or a pinch of garlic powder for extra depth without overpowering the classic flavor.
Deviled Ham Spread: Use canned deviled ham instead of traditional cooked ham for a slightly deeper, more robust flavor.
Serve it as a dip: You can also serve this ham spread as a dip with a variety of crackers such as club, saltines, ritz crackers

Substitutions

Ham: Leftover baked ham, deli ham, or sweet ham all work well. Just avoid honey-glazed ham, as it can make the spread overly sweet.
Cream Cheese: Neufchâtel cheese can be substituted for a lighter option with a similar creamy texture.
Stuffed Green Olives: Regular green olives, chopped Spanish olives, or even capers can provide a similar salty, briny flavor if pimento-stuffed olives aren't available.