Tortilla Pinwheels
Here are FIFTEEN of our most favorite tortilla pinwheel filling recipes!
Tortilla pinwheels are delicious and visually appealing appetizers made by spreading a flavorful filling—such as cream cheese, deli meats, fish, cheese, vegetables or herbs—onto large flour tortillas. The tortillas are then tightly rolled up, sliced into bite-sized rounds, and arranged on a platter. These pinwheels are perfect for parties, gatherings, or as a tasty snack, offering a creamy, crunchy, and savory combination in every bite.

Tips for making Tortilla Pinwheels
Choose the Right Tortillas: Use large, soft flour tortillas for easier rolling and neat pinwheels. Whole wheat or flavored tortillas can add variety.
Prep the tortilla: Give tortillas a quick 10-second warm-up in a dry skillet or microwave — just until pliable. This will prevent them from cracking when rolling them up.
Spread Evenly: Spread your filling evenly across the tortilla, leaving about 1/2 inch border on the edges to prevent overflow and ensure a clean roll.
Don’t Overfill: Use a moderate amount of filling—too much can make rolling difficult and cause the pinwheels to fall apart.
Chill Before Slicing: After rolling, wrap the pinwheels in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This helps them hold their shape when sliced.
Use a Sharp Knife: Slice using a sharp, serrated knife for clean cuts. Wipe the knife between cuts if needed to keep slices neat.
Add Variety: Mix and match ingredients like cream cheese, deli meats, cheese, vegetables or herbs for different flavors.
Seal the Edges: Press the edges of the tortilla gently to seal the roll, preventing filling from spilling out when sliced.
Wrap Tightly and Chill: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, then chill for anywhere from 2 hours to overnight.
Presentation: Slice evenly and arrange on a platter for an attractive presentation, garnishing with herbs if desired.
Tortilla Pinwheels
These pinwheels are perfect for parties, gatherings, or as a tasty snack, offering a creamy, crunchy, and savory combination in every bite.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 44 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizers
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Tortillas
4 (12 inch) flour tortillas (plain, whole wheat or flavored)
Bacon-Chicken Filling
1 (9 3/4 ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained
1 (8 ounce) carton spreadable garden vegetable cream cheese
1 cup salsa, divided
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Barbecue Chicken Filling
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Fresh cilantro (optional)
Chicken Caesar Filling
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup Caesar dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Romaine lettuce, chopped
Crab Filling
8 ounces cream cheese. softened
1 pound imitation crab meat, chopped
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 green onions, sliced
Creamy Spinach and Feta Filling
1 cup cooked spinach, drained, chopped and cooled
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Ham and Cheese Filling
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 packet ranch dressing mix or 2 tablespoons Ranch Seasoning Mix
8 ounces deli ham, diced
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
Mexican Filling
1 cup cooked and shredded chicken
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (fiesta blend)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup diced red bell peppers
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 tablespoon taco seasoning or homemade Taco Seasoning
Salsa or hot sauce (optional, for serving)
Pepperoni Pizza Filling
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Italian shredded cheese or mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
16 ounces pepperoni slices
3/4 cup finely chopped yellow and orange peppers
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mushrooms
Reuben Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
1/4 teaspoon prepared horseradish
7 (2 ounce) packages thinly sliced deli corned beef
15 thin slices Swiss cheese
1 (14 ounce) can sauerkraut, rinsed, well drained and patted dry
Roast Beef and Horseradish Filling
1 pound roast beef (deli slices)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or mozzarella)
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish (not the creamy version)
1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Smoked Salmon Filling
4 ounces smoked salmon
1 (5 ounce) package garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup capers, drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Taco Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
1 packet or 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
2 green onions, diced
1/2 cup black olives sliced
2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, diced
Tuna Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 teaspoons dill pickle relish
1 or 2 green onion, minced
2 (5 ounce) cans water-packed albacore tuna
1/2 large cucumber, peeled and diced small
Turkey and Cranberry Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup cooked turkey, finely chopped
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Veggie Filling
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix or 2 tablespoons Ranch Seasoning Mix
2 green onions, minced
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup diced celery
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
Instructions
Tortillas
- Choose your filling, and prepare it according to the instructions.
- Lay one flour tortilla flat on a clean cutting board.
- Place the filling, leaving 1/2 inch around the edges.
- Carefully roll up each tortilla, ensuring the filling stays inside. Once rolled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the pinwheels to become firm.
- Once chilled, unwrap the tortillas and slice them into 1 inch thick pinwheels. Cut off the unfilled ends of each roll. Arrange on a platter and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch or marinara, and enjoy this homemade, nostalgic treat with family and friends.
Bacon Chicken Filling
- Mix chicken, cream cheese, 1/2 cup salsa and bacon; spread over tortillas.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Barbecue Chicken Filling
- Mix the shredded chicken with barbecue sauce in a bowl.
- Spread the mixture on the tortillas
- Sprinkle the Cheddar cheese on top.
- Add cilantro if you like.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Chicken Caesar Filling
- In a bowl, mix the chicken, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese together.
- Lay the tortillas flat on a surface and spread a thin layer of the chicken mixture on each tortilla.
- Add chopped Romaine lettuce on top.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Crab Filling
- Spread one quarter of the cream cheese evenly over each tortilla.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the cream cheese, followed by the crab meat.
- Scatter the red pepper and green onions evenly over the top.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Creamy Spinach and Feta Filling
- Sauté spinach with olive oil until wilted, then let it cool.
- Mix the cooled spinach, cream cheese and crumbled feta in a bowl.
- Spread over each tortilla equally.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Ham and Cheese Filling
- In a bowl mix together the cream cheese and Ranch dressing mix until smooth.
- Lay one of the tortillas out and spread each evenly with the cream cheese mixture
- Lay the ham slices over the cream cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle with the remaining ingredients.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Mexican Filling
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded chicken, cheese, cilantro, red bell peppers, red onion and taco seasoning. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Serve cold or at room temperature with salsa or hot sauce on the side for dipping.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Pepperoni Pizza Filling
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese until it is smooth.
- Add the garlic, sour cream, cheeses and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined.
- Divide this mixture among the flour tortillas. Spread the cheese mixture to cover the entire tortilla.
- Put a layer of pepperoni over the cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle the finely chopped peppers and mushrooms on top of the pepperoni.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Reuben Filling
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, mustard and horseradish until blended. Spread a heaping tablespoonful of cream cheese mixture over each tortilla.
- Layer each tortilla with 8 slices of corned beef, 3 slices of cheese, another heaping tablespoonful of cream cheese mixture and 1/2 cup sauerkraut.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Roast Beef and Horseradish Filling
- Combine the cream cheese, Monterey Jack, horseradish, dried thyme, garlic powder and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- Spread the cheese mixture across tortillas to the edges in an even, thin layer. Leave a 1 inch border because the ends will be thrown out.
- Layer the slices of roast beef across the cheese mixture.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Smoked Salmon Filling
- Chop or shred the smoked salmon and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together the spreadable cheese and cream cheese until fully blended. Stir in the red onion, capers, lemon juice, and salmon. Mix well.
- Spread the salmon mixture evenly over each tortilla.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Taco Filling
- In a medium bowl, with a hand held mixer, beat the cream cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning until well combined and smooth.
- Stir in the green onions, black olives and jalapeños.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the 4 flour tortillas.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Tuna Filling
- Add the cream cheese, dill pickle relish and green onion to a small bowl and mix together until fully combined.
- Spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture onto each tortilla.
- Spread 1/2 can of tuna onto each tortilla.
- Sprinkle 1/4 of the cucumber dices onto each tortilla.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Turkey and Cranberry Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped turkey, cranberry sauce, shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and walnuts if using. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread a generous layer of the turkey and cranberry mixture evenly over the surface of each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
Veggie Filling
- Mix together cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and green onions in a medium bowl until combined.
spread ingredients mixed together in a bowl. Spread onto each tortilla. - Sprinkle each tortilla evenly with cheese, red pepper, celery and olives.
- Continue with Steps 2 through 6 of Tortillas preparation.
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