20 Easy Pinwheel Recipes and Party Appetizers

Pinwheel recipes turn an ordinary lunch into a spectacular feast! They’re also easy party appetizers for your next party, potluck, or get-together.

Like their namesake children’s toys, these pinwheel recipes will catch your guests’ attention during any celebration.

There’s a lot to love about pinwheels.

There’s no guessing involved — you see everything inside them at a glance. They’re also easy to make and delicious.

Each roll may be small, but they are massive in flavor. They’re pretty much perfect for any occasion.

So, check out these pinwheel recipes if you’re planning a party or other event.

1. Taco Tortilla Roll-up

This Taco Tortilla Roll-up is the perfect appetizer for any get-together. It’s a quick and easy recipe bursting with the flavors of your favorite taco.

You just can’t beat the zingy sauce, sharp cheddar cheese, and cilantro!

2. Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheel 

These cheesy bacon ranch pinwheels are some of the fastest and easiest to make. For that reason alone, you have to try them!

They’re so easy that you can make this recipe with your little ones for some bonding time. Who knows? They might end up making them for themselves in the future.

They’re such a cinch to make. You can enjoy them anytime.

3. Chicken Avocado Roll-ups 

Make these chicken avocado roll-ups if you want to use up leftover chicken.

The chicken breast is low in fat and is a good source of protein. Avocado is a known superfood because it’s packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for you.

Not only is this snack healthy, but it’s also filling. And tasty enough that you’ll end up wanting more!

4. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels 

Forget about ever making a classic ham and cheese sandwich again.

Once you try these ham and cheese pinwheels, they’ll be the only thing you’ll make.

Every bite has an initial crunch that is then replaced with the texture of gooey cheese. I’ll be right back… I’m making myself some of these now!

5. Cranberry Feta Roll-ups 

For the holidays, we always want something we can make ahead of time. Something we can take out and slice up when it’s time to serve the guests.

These cranberry feta rollups are perfect!

The red from cranberries and green from the chives give the perfect pop of colors for the festive season. They also taste great all year long.

6. Spinach and Artichoke Pinwheels  

Take spinach and artichoke dip and turn it into cheesy and creamy pinwheels. No more dipping required! Just grab them and go.

Pinwheels are the perfect snack or appetizer because they’re so portable. You’ll have no problems when transporting and serving them for picnics, potlucks, and outings.

7. Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

Everyone loves buffalo chicken wings, but not everyone is down to get messy. 

With these buffalo chicken pinwheels, you don’t have to worry about that. You can enjoy the tastiness of buffalo chicken in bite-sized servings. 

From the spicy wing sauce to the tangy blue cheese, this recipe hits the right spot.

8. Pesto Turkey Pinwheels with Smoked Provolone

Turkey pinwheels are some of the most popular types, but these are on another level. Forget boring old sandwich turkey and American cheese.

These have chunks of roasted deli turkey, slices of smoked provolone, and a delicious pesto made of garlic, basil, pine nuts, and more!

I don’t know if you can classify a recipe as “uppity,” but this one certainly qualifies.

9. Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

Cold, deli meat pinwheels are delicious. There’s no doubt about that. But sometimes, you’re just in the mood for something warm and savory.

That’s where these jalapeno popper pinwheels come in.

They’re warm, cheesy, and comforting, with plenty of heat and a garlic butter topping that’s out of this world. As long as you aren’t heat-sensitive, you’ll love these.

10. Tomato Basil Pinwheels 

Tomato basil pinwheels, with their vibrant red and green colors, are sure to catch everyone’s attention.

They’re fresh and healthy, and they don’t require cooking at all!

Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and basil wrapped in a blanket of cheesy and creamy goodness are as perfect as it gets.

How can something so healthy taste so good?!

11. Bacon Jalapeno Roll-ups 

Spice things up a bit with these bacon jalapeno roll-ups!

You can go all out with the spice and add hot sauce. Or keep it mild and just let the jalapeno work its subtle magic.

Whatever you do, these pinwheels will be gone before you know it. The crunchy goodness in each bite is too addicting.

12. Cream Cheese and Sausage Pinwheels 

This recipe only calls for three ingredients! Whaaaat? Your friends and family will never be able to guess your little secret.

You can use the regular or hot variant for the sausage. When mixed with cream cheese, it becomes the perfect rich and creamy filling for your pinwheels.

Imagine getting your hands on these fresh out of the oven!

13. Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups

Believe it or not, chicken and deli meats are the only proteins that work well in pinwheels. Take these smoked salmon roll-ups, for example.

They have tons of flavor and are just as easy to make as all the other pinwheels on this list. They also roll up just as nicely and neatly!

Give them a try for your more formal occasions.

14. Butter Chicken Pinwheels 

Expect this buttery puff pastry snack to be a whole new level of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. It’s stuffed with butter chicken sauce, chicken, and cheese.

Have a taste of India with the distinct taste of butter chicken sauce. Your guests will appreciate the exotic flavor and smooth texture packed in every bite. 

15. Muffuletta Pinwheels

Bring a little New Orleans flair to your next event with these muffuletta pinwheels.

Small in size but big in flavor, these little guys will liven up any party. And you won’t find anything missing from the classic muffuletta sandwich.

There are olives, peppers, onions, and, of course, a wide variety of meats. They’re perfect if you’re in the mood for some real Southern fare!

16. Pizza Pinwheels 

The only things cuter than mini pizzas are pizza pinwheels. They’re like eating a slice of pizza but in bite-size form!

These little rolls are packed with cheese and pepperoni. You can get creative with the toppings and create your own variations.

This can be a fun activity to do with kids or friends!

17. Cucumber Cream Cheese Roll-up 

This light and refreshing cucumber cream cheese roll-up is perfect for hot summer afternoons or trips to the beach.

The crunch of the cucumber is the perfect companion to the velvety cream cheese.

This recipe uses lavash bread, a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread, which makes it even healthier on top of the nutrients you get from the cucumbers. 

18. Mexican Pinwheels

Mexican food is delicious; we all know that. But it can sometimes be easy to overdo it when you hit up your favorite Mexican restaurant.

Save yourself some calories (and time and money) by packing all that Mexican food flavor into bite-sized pinwheels.

They’re delightfully cheesy and full of that South-of-the-Border yumminess. Serve them with fresh, homemade salsa or pico de gallo for dipping.

19. Greek Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Now, let’s jump from Mexico to the Mediterranean with these Greek puff pastry pinwheels.

They’re a gorgeous, colorful treat full of olives, spinach, feta, peppers, and more. As stunningly beautiful as these are, their taste is even better.

Take that first bite, and you’ll understand. It’s like a mini explosion of yumminess specifically designed for your taste buds.

20. Italian Pinwheels

Finally, we’ll close this list out with a genuine classic — Italian pinwheels.

These are the cold, crisp, refreshing ones you can buy in the deli section of practically every grocery store in America.

They combine cream cheese, parmesan, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, peppers, and more. They’re quick and easy and require no actual cooking.

Plus, as I said, they’re a classic. You can’t go wrong!