Appetizer Tortilla Pinwheels (2024)

Whoever was the first person to spread flavored cream cheese on a tortilla, roll it into a spiral and cut it into pinwheel slices was truly a genius. Often times, the cream cheese filling in pinwheels is also speckled with an array of other mix-ins such as shredded cheese, sour cream and more—although the flavor combinations are only limited by your imagination. We find ourselves returning to this particular pinwheel recipe that features cheddar cheese, olives and green chiles time and time again for its simplicity, and most importantly, taste.

Ingredients for Pinwheels

• Tortillas: Large, 10-in. flour tortillas are the perfect size for making pinwheels. For a fun twist, experiment with different colors and flavors of tortillas. If you’ve got some time to spare, whip up a batch of homemade tortillas ahead of time with just all-purpose flour, water and oil. Put the remaining tortillas to use in other delicious tortilla recipes.
• Cream cheese: The thickness of cream cheese gives the creamy filling the perfect amount of body, so it doesn’t ooze out upon slicing the pinwheels. When it comes to flavor, cream cheese adds tang and richness as well.
• Sour cream: Sour cream thins the filling just enough to make it spreadable. For best results, opt for a low-fat or full-fat sour cream (fat-free sour cream can have a thinner consistency, which can make the filling too watery).
• Olives: Tortilla pinwheels are a great way to use up a jar of olives. To simplify the prep further, you can reach for a can of chopped black olives so you don’t even have to dirty a knife.
• Chiles: Chopped green chiles offer a little heat that will appease spicy appetizer lovers without scaring away those who prefer a milder taste.
• Onions: Green onions give the filling a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. They also color these pinwheels with delightful flecks of green for a pretty presentation.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the filling

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In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream until blended. Then, stir in the olives, green chiles, green onions and seasonings until evenly incorporated.

Step 2: Spread, roll and chill

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Spread the filling mixture evenly over the tortillas, then roll up tightly.

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Wrap each rolled tortilla in plastic, twisting the ends to seal, and refrigerate for several hours.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t skip chilling. Refrigerating the pinwheels for several hours helps the flavors of the filling meld together and slightly hydrates the tortillas, so the pinwheels will hold their tightly spiraled shape even after they’re sliced.

Step 3: Slice and serve

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Unwrap the rolled tortillas, and cut them into 1/2- to 3/4-in. slices using a serrated knife.

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If desired, serve with salsa or another dipping sauce of your choice.

Editor’s Tip: Using a serrated knife is the secret trick to slicing pinwheels without flattening their round shape. When cutting, use a gently sawing motion, allowing the weight of the knife to cut through the pinwheels, as opposed to strong downward pressure, which will squish them.

Tortilla Pinwheel Variations

• Make pinwheels with meat: If you have meat lovers to please, you can add 1 cup of finely shredded chicken breast, cooked and crumbled spicy chorizo or ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning. Sliced deli meats are also popular additions to pinwheel recipes.
• Consider other cheeses: Cheddar is far from your only option. Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda, Havarti, fontina or pepper jack are just a few other types of cheese to try.
• Spice it up: To pack a little extra punch in your pinwheels, head to your spice rack. A dash of cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano or onion powder are all great ways to add a little extra zip to the filling.
• Vegetable variations: The best part about pinwheels is their versatility. Omit the olives and chiles and make a Mediterranean pinwheel by using sun-dried tomatoes and a different type of olive, such as kalamata, in place of the black olives. For another tasty alternative, add marinated artichoke hearts and thawed, frozen spinach (drained of excess water).
• Sweet pinwheels: You can make sweet pinwheels, too. Omit the sour cream and use vanilla Greek yogurt instead. Add 1/2 cup of finely peeled and diced apples, a handful of raisins, a tablespoon of brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon for a dessert pinwheel recipe that will get rave reviews at your next event.

Can you make pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes—tortilla pinwheels are a perfect make-ahead potluck recipe. In fact, you should assemble and roll the pinwheels at least a few hours ahead for best results. However, make them only 24 hours ahead at most to ensure the tortillas do not become soggy.

How long do pinwheels last?

Store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container for up to two days. Any longer and pinwheels tend to get soggy.

Pinwheels Recipe Tips

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How do you keep pinwheels from getting soggy?

Nothing is worse than a platter of sad, soggy pinwheels. To avoid this party pitfall, measure your sour cream carefully and drain the olives properly before mixing up the filling. Excess moisture is the number one enemy of pinwheels (including other varieties, such as these veggie ranch pinwheels). You want just enough to make the filling spreadable. Don’t worry about the small amount of liquid in your can of chopped green chiles—that adds the perfect amount to the filling.

How long do pinwheels need to be refrigerated before cutting?

After testing countless pinwheel recipes in our Test Kitchen (these fiesta pinwheels being one of them), we’ve found that a minimum of four hours of refrigeration time is best for pinwheels. Anything less typically results in pinwheels that are more prone to falling apart when sliced, and lack a fully developed flavor.

What do you serve with appetizer pinwheels?

Pinwheels can be served as is without any accompaniments, but if you’re looking for something to go with them, you could serve them with your favorite jarred or homemade salsa, queso dip or ranch dressing. A vat of homemade guacamole is always a welcome addition to any party spread, too.

As for other appetizers that go with pinwheels, the world is your oyster. Crowd-pleasing classics like party meatballs, buffalo wings, seven-layer bean dip, mozzarella sticks or Chex mix are other old-fashioned favorites we love to serve with pinwheels. Otherwise, choose another easy appetizer recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes or less to keep things as simple as possible.

Watch how to Make Appetizer Tortilla Pinwheels