Tortilla pinwheels are an easy appetizer or snack that you can make ahead. They are filled with a creamy cheese filling flavored with green chile, olives, and cheese and then rolled up and chilled. Once cold, just slice and serve!
If you’ve been following this blog, you already know I love easy-to-make appetizers. We love hosting family and friends for holidays, game days, and parties, and the last thing I want is to be stressed out making snacks and appetizers. These tortilla pinwheels are a recipe I use a lot – they’re easy, delicious, and there’s never any leftover.
I like tortilla pinwheel recipes because not only are they easy to make, but you can make these cream cheese pinwheels ahead.They need time to chill, so you can prep them a day in advance and then slice and serve the next day. There’s nothing worse than scrambling to get the snacks ready when your guests are ringing the doorbell!
I love the flavor in these – cream cheese combined with cheddar, olives, green chile, and green onions make a delicious filling. Add some dipping sauces, and you get an appetizer everyone will love.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 10” flour tortillas
- Softened cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped Kalamata olives
- Canned green chiles (drained)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
Recipe Instructions
Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir well until the mixture is smooth.
Add the green chiles, olives, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly mixed into the cream cheese mixture.
Lay a tortilla flat on a cutting board. Spread a thin layer of the filling over the top and then roll the tortilla into itself like a jelly roll. Do this carefully, so you don’t tear the tortilla.
Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and secure the ends, so the tortilla is totally covered in the wrap. Repeat this process with the rest of the tortillas and filling.
Chill the tortilla roll-ups for at least two hours. It’s best if they can chill for four hours or longer.
When you are ready to serve them, remove the wrap and cut each one into 3/4″ slices. Arrange them on a serving plate and serve!
Dipping Sauce Ideas
These tortilla pinwheels are great plain, but I like to serve them with dipping sauces on the side. For parties, it’s fun to make a platter with the roll-ups and small bowls of different dips to go with them. Here are some ideas, but look for even more ideas in the dressing section at the store.
- Tomato salsa
- Salsa verde
- Ranch dressing
- Chipotle ranch dressing
- Avocado cilantro-lime dressing
- Guacamole dip
FAQ
What are the best tortillas for pinwheels?
Flour tortillas work best. I don’t recommend using corn tortillas because they tear easily and don’t hold together well. As far as size, 10″ flour tortillas are a good size.
How far in advance can you make them?
You can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance. Leave them in the refrigerator until you are ready to slice and serve them.
How do you keep pinwheels from getting soggy?
The best way to keep them from getting soggy is to avoid using wet ingredients. The cream cheese should be softened, but the other ingredients like the chiles, olives and green onions should be very dry when you add them to the filling. So thoroughly drain the canned ones, and pat the onions dry before slicing them.
If you make them too far in advance, the tortillas will soften because of the cream cheese. So, don’t assemble them more than 24 hours in advance. I usually make them the night before, and they are delicious the next day.
Can you freeze them?
Yes, you can freeze tortilla pinwheels. For the best results, chill and then slice them. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them in a single layer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. Plan to thaw and serve them within two months. If you need an easy snack, you can’t go wrong with these tortilla pinwheel appetizers. The flavor is excellent, and they’re so easy you might make a batch for all the events you host. Enjoy!
Other Easy Appetizers You’ll Enjoy
Tortilla Pinwheels Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 large 10 inch flour tortillas
- 1 8- ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup green onions chopped
- 4 ounces Kalamata olives chopped
- 1 4- ounce can chopped green chilies drained
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, sour cream and cheddar cheese. Mix until fully combined and smooth. Add in green chilies, olives, green onions, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Place a tortilla on a large cutting board. Spread the mixture in a thin layer over the tortilla. Slowly roll the tortilla tightly without tearing it. Wrap rolled tortilla in plastic wrap and make sure ends are wrapped or twisted. Repeat for the rest of the tortillas. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Better if they sit for 4 or more hours.
- Remove from refrigerator and unwrap. Cut into ¾ inch slices. Serve!!
Recipe Notes
- These taste great by themselves but can be served with a favorite dipping sauce or salsa.
- You can substitute the Kalamata olives for another type of olive that you enjoy.
Recipe Nutrition
If you need an easy snack, you can’t go wrong with these Tortilla Pinwheels. The flavor is excellent, and they’re so easy you might make a batch for all the events you host.