These Mexican Pinwheels are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, bursting with fiesta flavors, and crafted with expert technique to ensure they won’t fall apart, get soggy, or misshapen. ย With step-by-step tips, make-ahead instructions, and plenty of variation ideas, this post ensures your pinwheels will turn out perfectly every timeโwhether you’re feeding a party or prepping lunchboxes. Expect a creamy, zesty, irresistible bite in every swirl!
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Pinwheel Recipe
The first time I tasted cream cheese tortilla pinwheels was on New Yearโs Eve from a platter from Costco.ย It was love at first bite. Since then, Iโve been a huge fan of making my own pinwheel appetizers and perfecting them because they:
Mexican Pinwheel Recipe
Today, Iโm excited to introduce you to this spectacular mashup between your favorite cream cheese pinwheels and your favorite Southwest flavorings to create Mexican pinwheels!
Flavorful. This combo has become my favorite pinwheel recipe because they are explosively flavorful, not to mention indulgently creamy with bright pops of sweet corn, hearty pops of black beans, and spicy pops of jalapenos all in one simple, bite-size pinwheel. ย
Customizable. Best of all, by making tortilla roll ups at home at home, you can customize them with your favorite add-ins or whatever you have on hand. .
Make Ahead. These Mexican pinwheels are ideal for parties, especially when hosting, because you can make them ahead of time to avoid the last-minute rush, and you donโt have to worry about them staying warm or the hassle of reheating, They also transport easily: Simply plate, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, then serve and watch them disappear in a flash!
Tasty any time. While these tortilla pinwheels are perfect for a party, theyโre also tasty as an afternoon snack (for kids and adults) or a fun dinner along with a simple salad. When serving for dinner, I like to warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds then itโs like serving sliced burritos!
Pinwheels Ingredients
These Mexican tortilla pinwheels taste even better than they look, all thanks to the magical combination of simple ingredients. Here is what you will need:
CAN I USE GROUND TURKEY?
Yes!ย This pinwheel appetizer also works well with turkey.ย The creamy filling helps disguise the fact that youโre using a leaner protein. Whenever I use turkey in place of beef, I add one teaspoon of beef bouillon.ย I use this trick in myย turkey tacosย andย turkey chiliย , and it is AMAZING!ย It infuses the turkey with rich, beefy flavor that will blow your mind.ย See the recipe variations section for more protein ideas.
How to Make Pinwheels
These pinwheel appetizers stuffed with creamy, flavorful filling are guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering. Hereโs how to make this easy recipe in just a few steps (full pinwheel recipe in recipe card at the bottom of the post):
What to serve with Mexican cream cheese Pinwheels?
This pinwheel recipe is explosively flavorful on its own, but even more delicious dunked in guacamole or salsa.
Tips for Making tortilla roll ups
This pinwheel appetizer stuffed with creamy, flavorful filling are guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering. Follow these tips and tricks to make them even more of a success:
Pinwheel Recipe Variations
Possibly the best thing about this pinwheel recipe is it’s easy customize with your favorite add-ins or whatever you have on hand. Donโt love heat? Skip the jalapenos. Want more crunch? Add bell peppers are lettuce.
The options are limitless! Here are just a few ideas:
How to serve Pinwheels
How to Make Pinwheels Ahead of Time
Yes, like any cream cheese pinwheels, Mexican Pinwheels are best made at least 3 hours ahead of time so they can chill and firm up enough to slice in the refrigerator. The tortillas are at their best (and even still a little crunchy) if served the same day, but the pinwheel recipe can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead of time.ย ย If you make them any farther ahead, they are still delicious, but the tortillas get softer the longer they sit, and after a couple of days, they can become a little soggy.ย
How to Store Mexican Roll Ups
Store the Mexican cream cheese pinwheels tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.ย Keep in mind, however, that pinwheels are at peak freshness and best served on the day they are made, as the tortillas will soften over time. The pinwheels will still be tasty, but they won’t have the impressive freshness you want for serving guests.ย
How to Freeze Pinwheels
Yes, pinwheels freeze very well for up to two months.ย To freeze, line the pinwheels on a baking sheet or platter so they arenโt touching, and place them in the freezer to flash-freeze.ย Freeze until solid, about 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe storage bag. Press out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.ย When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Pinwheel FAQs
If your pinwheels are falling apart, there could be one of four things wrong, or a combination:
โขNot enough filling:ย Make sure to use at least ¾ cup and spread almost to the edges
โขNot wrapping the tortillas tightly enough:ย Compactly rolling the tortillas helps them โglueโ together
โขNot searing long enough:ย Toast the seam side of the tortilla roll up until it seals/melts closed
โขNot refrigerating for long enough:ย The rolls need at least 3 hours to chill; otherwise, the cream cheese filling is too loose and doesnโt bind the tortilla pinwheels together
โขThe pinwheels were sliced too thinly:ย Thin pinwheels are too flimsy/not structurally sound
Yes, you can make pinwheels with practically any protein as long as it is chopped very finely.ย You donโt want the protein/filling to be bulky, otherwise the tortilla pinwheels wonโt roll up tightly.
If making this pinwheel recipe with a different protein recipe, follow the directions for that recipe and skip the homemade taco seasoning for the pinwheels. Here are some options:
โขGround chicken or turkey:ย Use the same seasonings and add 1 teaspoon beef bouillon if desired while cooking.
โขShredded chicken:ย About 2 ½ cups of homemade shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken. Add the seasonings directly to the cream cheese mixture, rather than to the chicken.
โขCarne asada:ย Juicy, marinated, and spice-rubbed steak.
โขCarnitas: Slow-cooked pulled pork with glorious caramelized, crispy ends.
โขBeef Barbacoa:ย Slow-cooked, tangy, smoky, rich, spicy, juicy beef.
โขSlow Cooker Mexican chickenย is an all-time reader favorite for classic, flavorful Mexican Chicken
โขHoney lime salsa verde chicken:ย Sweet and tangy slow cooker pulled chicken.
โขCilantro lime chicken:ย Zesty, tangy, and citrusy
โขSalsa verde chicken:ย Tangy, flavorful, with just the right amount of kick.
โขChipotle chicken:ย ย Smoky, robust, and spicy.
โขChili lime chicken:ย ย smoky, robust, and tangy.
โขChicken tinga: Super quick to prepare, made with shredded rotisserie chicken.ย Itโs spicy so omit the jalapenos in the pinwheel recipe.
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Mexican Pinwheels
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Ingredients
- 7 9-inch flour tortillas (or 6 10-inch tortillas)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced (may sub 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 oz. cream cheese, very soft
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ยฝ cup corn, rinsed, drained, dried
- ยฝ cup black beans, rinsed, drained, dried
- 1 4 oz. can chopped mild green chilies
- 1 4 oz. can chopped jalapenos
- 1/2 cup cilantro, minced (measure before chopping)
Instructions
- Brown beef in a large skillet until almost cooked through, crumbling it into fine pieces with the back of your spatula. Add garlic and all seasonings and cook through. Drain off any excess grease (if there is any); set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, salsa and sour cream until smooth. Stir in all remaining ingredients (including beef), starting with only 2 tablespoons jalapenos and adding more to taste if desired.
- Working with one tortilla at a time, spread about ¾ cup (1 cup if 10-inch tortillas) filling to within ยฝ-inch of the edges with an offset spatula (if you have one). Tightly roll up each tortilla.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat then add tortilla roll ups seam side down, 1-2 at a time. Sear the seam side closed then toast the roll ups until golden on all sides. If youโre in a hurry, you can just sear the bottom seam side closed.
- Line roll ups in a single layer on a platter and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before slicing (otherwise they won't be firm enough and will smoosh).
- Once chilled, slice the roll ups into 1-inch slices. You can also chill, slice and then chill until ready to serve Serve the pinwheels chilled, room temperature or heated in the microwave for a few seconds. Serve with salsa and/or guacamole for dipping.
Video
Notes
- Ground chicken or turkey:ย use the same seasonings and add 1 teaspoon beef bouillon if desired while cooking.
- Recipe variations:ย see post for additional recipe variations, tips and tricks.
- Storage: ย Store the pinwheels tightly covered with plastic wrap for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.ย Keep in mind, however, pinwheels are at peak freshness and best served the day they are made because the tortillas will soften over time. The pinwheels will still be tasty but not the impressive freshness you want for serving guests.ย
- To freeze: Line the pinwheels on a baking sheet or platter so they arenโt touching and place in the freezer to flash freeze.ย Freeze until solid, about 2 hours then transfer to a freezer-safe storage bag or freezer safe container with parchment in between the layers. Press out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.ย When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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Flora says
Awesome site! Can’t wait to try them!Thank you!
Jen says
Thank you Flora! I hope you love them as much as us!