The 25 *BEST* Tortilla Pinwheel Recipes

Looking for the best tortilla pinwheel recipes? These 25 delicious tortilla roll up recipes are insanely delicious, super easy, and perfect for parties, potlucks, fun-to-eat lunches, and after-school snacks.

BONUS! Get all my easy tips and tricks to make delicious pinwheel appetizers that stay together and don't fall apart! 

collage of tortilla pinwheel recipes.

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Here in the Midwest, you know it's a party when there are tortilla pinwheels. You'll find them next to the Crock Pot Little Smokies and Ham Pickle Roll Ups.

Tortilla pinwheels are my favorite thing to make for parties. They look pretty, are easy to make, travel well, and EVERYONE LOVES THEM! And as added bonus, I get to eat the uneven ends when I slice them up :).

I reached out to the top bloggers across the interwebs and asked for their very best tortilla pinwheel recipes. And you're going to love all of them

With flavors like taco, BLT, jalapeno popper, Mediterranean, Boursin roast beef, ham and cheese, veggie, and more, you're sure to find just the right game day appetizer, holiday party finger food, easy lunch, or after-school snack.

I honestly don't know how you'll choose which ones to make! 

The 25 Best Tortilla Pinwheel Recipes

These are hands-down, the 25 most delicious tortilla pinwheel recipes out there. Perfect for entertaining, make-ahead lunches, or a last-minute snack.

How to Make Pinwheel Sandwiches

Making tortilla party pinwheels is fun and easy to do! And the best part is you can come up with a million creative ideas by mixing and matching all your favorite ingredients. 

Here are some ideas to get you started. 

Chose your fillings

When selecting what you're going to roll up into your tortilla, look for ingredients that don't have too much moisture. Anything with too high of a water content can lead to soggy pinwheels. 

  • Meat & beans: rotisserie chicken, deli meat slices, pepperoni, canned tuna, leftover turkey or ham, any type of canned beans
  • Shredded cheese, cheese slices, or cheese crumbles
  • Crunchy fruit and veggies. Stick to firm fruits and vegetables. Anything too moist and juicy can make the pinwheels soggy.
  • Crisp greens like romaine, kale, spinach, or green leaf lettuce
  • Dried fruit for chewy sweetness
  • Nuts and seeds for crunch

Pick the cream cheese stir-ins

A savory cream cheese spread adds delicious flavor and when chilled, firms up to hold the rolls together. Combine cream cheese with herbs, spices, and other flavor enhancers, or use plain cream cheese to let the flavor of the fillings shine. 

  • Creamy condiments: mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, creamy dressing, Greek yogurt
  • Fresh or dried herbs, spices, red pepper flakes, dry ranch mix, salsa, pesto
  • Flavor enhancers like green onions, green chiles, jalapenos, olives, pimentos, roasted red peppers

Select a wrap

Extra large flour tortillas work well for pinwheels because you can cut each one into 8-10 slices. 

Choose from flour tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, or flavored tortillas like spinach herb, sun-dried tomato, or jalapeno cheddar. You can also use lavash or thin flatbread.

How to Assemble Pinwheels

Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheel recipe cream cheese mixture in a clear bowl.

Step 1: Mix softened cream cheese with herbs and spices, flavorings, or creamy condiments.

Stir shredded or chopped meat, chopped vegetables, and shredded or crumbled cheese into the cream cheese mixture.

Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheel cream cheese mixture on a spinach tortilla.

Step 2: Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over 10-inch flour tortillas, to within about a half-inch of the sides.

Layer thin-sliced toppings like meat and cheese, lettuce, and other large pieces over the cream cheese mixture.

Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheel Sandwich rolled up in plastic wrap.

Step 3: Roll the tortillas into a tight roll. Wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator for several hours to let the cream cheese firm up. Keep them wrapped until you're ready to serve, up to 24 hours.

Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheel Sandwich roll cut into slices.

Step 4: Before serving, use a sharp serrated knife to gently cut the tortilla roll into 8-10 slices. Use a sawing motion to keep from flattening the roll.

If desired, serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheel Sandwiches

Expert Tips

  • Use a block of cream cheese. It's firmer than cream cheese in a tub.
  • Softened cream cheese is much easier to mix and spread. To soften, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  • Resist the temptation to overfill the tortillas. A thin layer of filling will make it easier to wrap the tortilla into a tight roll. 
  • Wrap the tortilla rolls in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator to firm up for at least a few hours, up to 24 hours. 
  • To keep the rolls from flattening, use a sharp serrated knife and a sawing motion to gently slice the rolls into pinwheels.

FAQs

What do you wrap pinwheels with?

You can wrap pinwheels with tortillas, thin flatbread, or lavash.

Can you make pinwheels the night before?

Yes, you can make tortilla pinwheels a day in advance. Keep the tortilla rolls tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator overnight, then slice them the next day.

How do you make pinwheels not soggy?

To keep tortilla pinwheels from getting soggy, limit the moisture in the filling ingredients. Fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content can release water and add moisture to the filling.

If you are making the tortilla roll ups in advance, keep the tortilla rolls wrapped in plastic until it is time to serve them. Then unwrap the plastic, slice, and serve.

Do you refrigerate pinwheels before cutting?

Yes, refrigerating the tortilla rolls before cutting them allows the softened cream cheese to firm up again so the pinwheels will hold together when you slice them.

How long are cream cheese pinwheels good for?

Cream cheese tortilla pinwheels are best served within 24 hours. Store leftover cream cheese roll ups tightly wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

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Chicken Cranberry Tortilla Pinwheels Recipe

Hand holding a Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheel Sandwich.

This recipe for Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels is one of my favorites. They're easy to stir together, the sweet and savory flavor combo is out of this world, and the almonds add such a lovely crunch.

collage of tortilla pinwheel recipes

Best Tortilla Pinwheel Recipes: Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheels

Cara Lanz
Of all the tortilla pinwheel recipes, Chicken Cranberry Salad Pinwheels are our favorite. The flavor combo is amazing, and they make great lunches, snacks, and party appetizers -- especially during the holidays (they're so pretty!).
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese in a block, not a tub
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • cup dried cranberries
  • 4 sliced green onions
  • ½ cup feta cheese
  • 3 10-inch tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and Dijon mustard together with a hand mixer.
  • Add the chicken, almonds, cranberries, green onions, and feta cheese. Stir until combined.
  • Spread the mixture onto a tortilla, leaving a ½ inch border along the sides and top.
  • Tightly roll up the tortilla.
  • Repeat with the remaining chicken salad and tortillas.
  • Tightly wrap the tortilla rolls in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the rolled up tortillas for several hours to allow the filling to become firm.
  • Remove the plastic wrap and slice the tortillas with a serrated knife into pinwheel sandwiches.

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Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth and creamy mixture without lumps.  
Roll your tortillas tightly so they won’t fall open when you pick them up. 
Wrap the rolled tortillas in plastic wrap to help them hold their shape
Chill the roll ups for a few hours before slicing to let the cream cheese firm up. This is how you get nice round pinwheels. 
Slice with a serrated knife to keep from flattening the tortilla rolls while you cut them. 

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

2 Comments

  1. I've tried and tried to get to the e taco tomorrow but it keeps directing he to something else.. So frustrating. Just wanted you to know it's not working

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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