Looking for an easy appetizer to serve at your holiday party? Today, I’m going to share some of my favorite Christmas pinwheel appetizers that I make every season and I know you’ll love them. The best part? You only need a few ingredients for all of these recipes, and they always look sooo impressive!
21+ Delicious Christmas Pinwheel Appetizers I Make Every Season
1. Prosciutto, Sage & Gruyere Puff Pastry Pinwheels
These pinwheels feature savory prosciutto, sage, creamy Gruyere cheese and delicious Dijon mustard.
Just layer your ingredients, starting with the mustard, on a sheet of defrosted puff pastry, roll the dough, slice and bake.
These are so easy to make, and you can easily double the recipe if you’re serving a big crowd.
2. Cranberry and Feta Christmas Pinwheels
How cute are these pinwheels? They have all the colors of Christmas and you can arrange them on a cutting board to look just like a Christmas tree. I love the addition of rosemary sprigs to look like greenery and the cheese star at the top of the “tree.”
The pinwheels themselves are so easy to make. Take a spinach tortilla and spread your homemade feta mix made from feta cheese, cream cheese, milk, green onions and dried cranberries. Roll up the tortilla, slice and serve.
3. Tortilla Pinwheels with Salsa
These tortilla pinwheels are so festive. The spinach tortillas make these pinwheels look like Christmas trees, and the salsa/cream cheese filling adds so much more color.
The filling is a mix of softened cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, pimentos, green chilis, black olives, green onions, yellow pepper and cheddar cheese (yum!). Mix these ingredients together, spread on a tortilla, roll, slice and serve.
I recommend letting these chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before you serve.
Related: 21+ Easy Winter Appetizers to Warm Up Any Party
4. Savory Ricotta and Pumpkin Pinwheels
These Christmas pinwheel appetizers have such delicious winter flavors: ricotta cheese, pumpkin, maple syrup, pistachios, Parm cheese, fresh sage, garlic, onion and butter.
Mix together everything but the cheese and nuts. Then, spread the mixture across a defrosted, rolled-out puff pastry sheet and top with the nuts and cheese.
Roll up the pastry dough, slice and bake. The ricotta and pumpkin add so much creaminess.
Not a fan of pistachios? Use walnuts or pecans instead.
5. Greek Appetizer Pinwheels
You’ll love the delicious flavors and colors of these pinwheels. The filling features softened cream cheese, chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, red peppers, feta cheese, Swiss cheese and spices (that’s a lot of cheese!).
I’ve used sundried tomatoes in place of red peppers and these were equally delicious.
These bake in just 16-20 minutes, so this is a quick appetizer you can prepare just before guests arrive.
6. French Dip Roast Beef Pinwheels
A savory appetizer that embodies everything you love about French dip. Each pinwheel is filled with delicious caramelized onions, provolone cheese and roast beef slices.
These bake in just 20 minutes, and they’re served with a tasty Au Jus dipping sauce made with beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and onion powder.
7. Sausage, Apple and Gruyere Pinwheels
These pinwheels are savory and filling, which makes them perfect for a holiday party. The filling features delicious ground pork sausage (use turkey or a vegan substitute if you want), onion, apple, sage and creamy Gruyere cheese.
To make these, just roll out the defrosted puff pastry dough, and top with the mix of cooked sausage, apples and sage. Sprinkle the cheese on top, roll, slice and bake.
8. Apricot and Fig Boursin Pinwheels
Figs and apricots give these pinwheels a hint of sweetness, along with some brown sugar added to the filling. But you won’t use fresh fruit for this dish. Instead, you’ll use apricot preserves and Boursin’s fig-flavored cheese.
This appetizer will add some unexpected flavors to your table – and your guests will be raving about them.
Related: 25+ Light Appetizers for Your Christmas Gathering
9. Italian Pinwheels
It doesn’t get much simpler than these pinwheels. You’ll need whole wheat tortillas for this recipe (or whichever flavor you like – spinach will make these more festive).
You’ll also need slices of pepperoni and Genoa salami, banana peppers, romaine lettuce, red peppers, cream cheese, provolone, Parmesan and Italian bread crumbs.
Just layer your ingredients on top of the tortilla, and then roll, slice and serve.
10. Pepper Jelly Pinwheels
These Christmas pinwheel appetizers will impress your guests because the flavors are delicious and unique.
While you could buy pepper jelly from the store, it’s best to try making it yourself following this recipe. It’s simpler than you think and is just a mix of: white vinegar, granulated sugar, bell peppers, jalapenos, kosher salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. You’ll cook all of these ingredients over a low simmer for about two hours.
As it cools, it will thicken into a jelly.
Then, just top your puff pastry dough with the jelly and cream cheese. Roll it up, slice and bake for 15 minutes.
11. Savory Palmiers with Bacon, Swiss, and Caramelized Onions
Palmiers are similar to pinwheels – the only difference is the shape. You can create the classic pinwheel shape for this if you prefer.
But the filling? That’s what matters here.
It’s a mix of caramelized onions, shredded Gruyere, creamy horseradish and bacon. The flavors come together so nicely, and the cheese adds a creaminess to the filling.
12. Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Here’s a pinwheel recipe you’ve probably never tried. It features canned tuna, shredded cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, lemon zest and parsley.
When baked together, they essentially make tuna melts that are unexpectedly delicious.
13. 4-Ingredient Prosciutto Pinwheels
Prosciutto, puff pastry, Gruyere cheese and Dijon mustard are all you need to make this recipe. Just layer these ingredients on top of your rolled out puff pastry dough, roll it up and slice.
I recommend chilling your slices in the refrigerator for 3+ hours before baking.
14. Jalapeno Popper Pinewheels
Add a bit of spice to your Christmas this year with these jalapeno popper pinwheels. You’ll need a good puff pastry, garlic butter and then a filling made of:
- Cream cheese
- Crumbled bacon
- Cheddar cheese
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Jalapeno peppers
Roll out your pastry, spread your cream cheese and the rest of the ingredients evenly, roll tightly and then cut into 1-inch rolls. Bake and enjoy.
15. Mediterranean Pinwheels
Christmas pinwheel appetizers with a Mediterranean flair are always a good choice. You’ll use six large tortillas (sun-dried tomato is great) for this recipe, along with:
- Cream cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Minced garlic
- Sundried tomatoes
- Spinach
- Parmesan cheese
- Feta cheese
- Basil
You’ll make a cream cheese mixture out of your garlic, salt, pepper, tomatoes, cream cheese and basil. I recommend a blender to make life easier. Spread the mix on your tortillas, followed by your chopped spinach, feta and remaining ingredients.
Roll tightly, cut into 1-inch pinwheels and refrigerate until serving.
Related: 17+ Fancy Cranberry Appetizers For Christmas
16. Bacon and Cheddar Pinwheels
Pillsbury offers this simple, sinful pinwheel recipe that mixes bacon and cheddar together with the company’s puff pastry. You’ll need Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls, cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and green onions.
Unroll your dough and then separate into two large rectangles.
Spread your dressing up, followed by your bacon, cream cheese and onions. Roll up each rectangle, cut into eight slices and then bake on a cookie sheet for 12 – 17 minutes.
17. Crab Rangoon Pinwheels
Fast and easy to make, anyone who loves crab will appreciate these appetizers. You’ll need a handful of ingredients for this one: puff pastry, egg, imitation crab meat, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, green onions, soy sauce and sugar.
Combine your crab meat, cheeses, garlic, green onions, soy sauce and sugar in a large bowl until it’s creamy.
Roll out your puff pastry, add your creamy mixture on it and be sure to leave a ½- to 1-inch border. Now, roll into a tight log, refrigerate for 30 minutes and then slice into ½-inch pinwheels. Brush with egg and bake for 15 – 20 minutes before serving.
18. Mini Cheese and Caramelized Onion
It takes just five minutes to prep these appetizers. All you need is puff pastry, balsamic caramelized onions, grated cheddar cheese and fresh rosemary. You’ll:
- Spread your puff pastry on a clean, flat surface
- Add the caramelized onions and spread them evenly
- Sprinkle on your cheese and rosemary
Cut into 10 rolls, place on a baking sheet and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
19. Stromboli Roll-ups
It’s like pizza in a pinwheel. Stromboli roll-ups include brown sausage, provolone and mozzarella cheese, ham, salami, basil, yellow mustard, oregano and pizza sauce into a pinwheel.
But unlike many of the recipes on this list, you’ll use pizza dough rather than a puff pastry.
I recommend serving with pizza sauce, but it’s up to you.
20. Zesty Veggie Pinwheel
One of my favorite Christmas pinwheel appetizers is this zesty veggie pinwheel. Create a cream cheese base with softened cream cheese and sour cream. Not a fan of the latter, you can use Greek yogurt as a substitute.
Add in your chopped chives, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper, fresh dill and grated lemon zest evenly across the base.
Prep your veggies:
- Red bell pepper
- Carrot
- Spinach
- Cucumber
Assemble your pinwheel and then put your veggie layer on before rolling tightly before chilling, slicing and serving.
21. Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels
Start by preheating your oven to 400℉ and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper, as you’ve done with most of these recipes. You’ll microwave your broccoli, measure out one cup and then chop into small pieces.
Roll out your puff pastry into a 10×10 square and spread your cream cheese on it.
Sprinkle on your broccoli, followed by your shredded cheese (the author recommends Mexican cheese, but it’s up to you). Create your eight pinwheel logs and place in the freezer for five minutes before baking.
22. Puff Pastry Spirals with Pesto, Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive
Preheat your oven and line a tray with parchment paper. You’ll then unroll your puff pastry on a surface that you lightly flour ahead of time. Spread pesto over the sheet, add chopped sun-dried tomato on top, followed by olives.
Roll tightly along the edges to create a log, slice and arrange flat on your baking tray.
Leave space between the spirals as they’ll expand when cooked. Brush with egg and season with some black pepper before baking for 15 to 18 minutes.
23. Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels
And I couldn’t end this list without adding a sweet option, because pinwheels don’t always have to be savory. As a cinnamon addict, this combo with apples is honestly the dream. To make these cuties, you just need a sheet of puff pastry, chopped apples (Granny Smith works great), sugar, and cinnamon. Spread the apple mixture over the dough, roll it up, slice into pinwheels, and bake. Easy, delicious, and super festive.
