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If you are looking for that perfect yummy, chewy, creamy, pop-in-your mouth appetizer, look no further! Cream Cheese Pinwheels are made with a creamy veggie filling and rolled up in a soft tortilla.
If you are looking for simple pinwheel recipes, you have come to the right places. This basic appetizer is probably one of the more popular pinwheel recipes. I love the ranch dressing seasoning flavor. This filling is so good, you can even use it as a base for a cheese ball appetizer.
They are easy to make and are perfect for that football tailgate or holiday party. You know I love any food that you can make ahead of time for parties, as I am always running around getting the last minute details set.
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Pinwheels Ingredients
To make this easy pinwheel recipe, you will need the following ingredients (go down to the recipe below for exact quantities and instructions):
- Large flour tortillas
- Cream cheese
- Dry ranch salad dressing seasoning mix
- Garlic powder
- Black olives
- Pimentos
- Green onions: you can use both the root/pale green part and the green leafy part of the chopped green onions
How to Make Pinwheels
This pinwheels appetizer is super easy to make! Just follow these simple instructions.
- Mix all of the ingredients (except tortillas) together in a large bowl to create the cheese spread.
- Spread the mixture thinly and evenly over each tortilla.
- Roll each tortilla tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.
- Chill in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
- Cut the tortillas about an inch thick and place them on a serving tray.
How to Spread the Cream Cheese Filling
If you spread the cheese mixture all the way to the edges of the tortilla, you will end up with scraps. Because tortillas are round, the “sides” will not be flush when you roll them up and you end up cutting the ends off and discarding them. Or eating them, like I do.
The method I use is to cut the “sides” off. Pretend the tortilla has a top, bottom and 2 sides. You will be rolling the tortillas from top to bottom, so cut part of the sides off to make them straight. Then you can spread the cream mixture all the way to the edge.
Tips for Making Tortilla Roll Ups
- Use a sharp knife when cutting to prevent as much squishing as much as possible.
- You can add a little more ranch dressing seasoning if you want more flavor.
- If the mixture is too thick, making it difficult to spread, add 8 oz of sour cream.
Pinwheel Appetizer Variations
Pinwheels are a great snack and so versatile, you can fill them with just about anything you want! Here are some ideas for other pinwheel recipes you can make:
- Shredded Mexican cheese and green chiles
- Cranberries, feta cheese and green onion
- Ham and cheese
- Bacon, ranch and shredded cheddar cheese
- Chicken, romaine and Caesar salad dressing
- Sun-dried tomato and basil
- Buffalo chicken
- Peanut Butter pinwheels
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerate for up to 3 days. They are best when eaten within a day.
Do not freeze pinwheels. The dairy will separate when thawed and become runny.
Other Amazing Game Day Appetizers
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers – Cheesy, a little spicy, and oh so good! The creamy filling of these poppers is to die for!
- Sliders – Choose your meat – corned beef, ham, roast beef.
- Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Bites – More cheesy goodness fried to perfection without all the oil.
- Pull Apart Pizza Bread – A fun appetizer you can dip in marinara sauce.
- Crack Chicken Dip – Dip anything you want – crackers, bread, veggies, a spoon…just don’t get caught!
- Crispy Chicken Drumsticks Lollipops
Pinwheels Appetizer
Ingredients
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 packet dry ranch salad dressing
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup black olives chopped
- 2 tablespoons pimentos chopped
- 3 green onions chopped
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients (except tortillas) together in a large bowl.
- Spread the mixture thinly and evenly over each tortilla.
- Roll up each tortilla tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.
- Chill in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
- Cut the tortillas about an inch thick and place them on a serving tray.
Video
Nutrition
The nutrition information is calculated using online nutrition calculators and may not be accurate. It is provided as a general guide only.
The recipe and photos contained herein are the property of Emily Enchanted© and may not be copied.
Emily Enchanted
Sunday 21st of August 2022
I love this recipe because it is so creamy and you can all kinds of different ingredients.
Cindi Ruocco
Sunday 3rd of July 2022
I Could you add crushed pineapple to recipe if well drained and dried to serve with an appetizer for ham and baked bean dinner?
Emily Enchanted
Monday 4th of July 2022
@Cindi Ruocco, yes you can do that!
mary jo
Tuesday 3rd of August 2021
can you use sliced ham or do you need to use chopped up ham?
Emily Enchanted
Tuesday 3rd of August 2021
@mary jo, if you want to add ham to this recipe, you can certainly use thinly sliced ham.
Mary
Monday 25th of May 2020
Thanks so much for this recipe. I used to make them all the time for parties, special occasions, tailgates and anything else that came up. I would make all kinds of variations depending on what I had on hand or what I felt like at the time. Somewhere along the way, I lost the recipe and have not made them for years. Now with your recipe, I am anxious to start making them again! Thank you again!!
Jill Nowik
Sunday 12th of January 2020
Very good