Imagine everything you love about classic jalapeño poppers—smoky bacon, zippy jalapeño, creamy cheese—all cozied up in a golden swirl of puff pastry. That’s exactly what you’ll find with these Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels! They’re irresistibly crispy, perfectly cheesy, and bring a little kick to any gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleaser: These Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels disappear faster than you can set them out—they’re perfect for game days, parties, or family movie nights!
- Easy Make-Ahead: Assemble in advance, bake when you’re ready, and be stress-free when guests arrive.
- All the Flavor, No Fuss: You get all the smoky, spicy, cheesy flavor of traditional poppers without stuffing or frying.
- Customizable Spice Level: You control the heat—add more or less jalapeño for just the right kick!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be delighted by how these simple, everyday ingredients combine into something so show-stopping. Every element adds a pop of flavor, a layer of color, or a contrast in texture—for truly irresistible Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels!
- Cream cheese: Whipped to creamy perfection and forms the luscious base of the filling. Room temperature makes mixing a breeze!
- Dry ranch seasoning: Adds that salty, herby zing beloved in classic poppers. Look for it in the salad dressing aisle!
- Mild cheddar cheese: Shreds of cheddar melt right into the mix, amping up flavor and gooeyness.
- Jalapeno peppers: Fresh and finely diced, so you get bold flavor and color with every bite—but not an overwhelming heat!
- Bacon: Cooked until crisp and crumbled, this brings a smoky bite that makes pinwheels irresistible.
- Puff pastry sheet: Store-bought, pre-rolled puff pastry is your secret weapon for flaky, golden spirals without any fuss.
- Unsalted butter, garlic, and fresh parsley: These combine to create the savory garlic butter that gets brushed on after baking for restaurant-worthy results.
- Kosher salt: Just a pinch lifts all the flavors in the garlic butter topping.
Variations
One of the best things about Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels is how adaptable they are! Feel free to mix things up based on your favorite flavors, what you’ve got in the fridge, or any dietary preferences.
- Go Meatless: Skip the bacon or swap in smoked paprika if you want all the flavor with a vegetarian twist.
- Cream Cheese Swaps: Try whipped goat cheese or Neufchâtel for a zesty or lighter alternative.
- Different Cheeses: Mix in Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a handful of mozzarella for your own melty masterpiece.
- Add a Touch of Sweetness: Sprinkle a few diced pineapple or dried cranberries for a pop of sweet alongside the spice.
- Low-Carb Option: Use low-carb tortillas in place of puff pastry for a lighter bite-sized snack.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Filling
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapenos, and crumbled bacon. Stir until everything is evenly combined and the filling is thick, creamy, and speckled with color. Set aside while you roll out the pastry.
Step 2: Roll and Fill the Puff Pastry
On a lightly floured surface, gently roll your thawed puff pastry into a rectangle about 9×12 inches. Spread the cream cheese mixture in an even layer across the dough, leaving a half-inch border along one long edge for sealing later.
Step 3: Roll Up and Slice
Lightly brush the border with water or a bit of beaten egg. Starting from the opposite long edge, roll the pastry tightly into a log—think jelly roll style—then gently press the moistened edge to seal. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 pinwheels, taking care to keep them evenly thick.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange your slices cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, giving them a little space to puff up. Pop into a preheated 400°F oven for 18–20 minutes, until the pinwheels are crisp and gloriously golden.
Step 5: Brush with Savory Garlic Butter
While the pinwheels bake, melt butter in a small saucepan with garlic, parsley, and kosher salt. As soon as the pinwheels come out of the oven, brush them generously with this fragrant garlic butter. Serve warm and enjoy every irresistible, melty bite!
Pro Tips for Making Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
- Chill for Easy Slicing: Pop the filled, rolled log in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before slicing—this helps the pinwheels keep their shape and prevents squishing.
- Uniform Jalapeno Dice: Finely dice your jalapenos for the best texture and even flavor distribution—no one gets a surprise mega-spicy bite!
- Let Pastry Thaw Just Right: Puff pastry that’s still cool, but pliable, is easiest to work with and puffs up extra flaky in the oven.
- Serve Freshly Baked: These pinwheels are at their most delicious served warm from the oven, so time them to come out close to serving, or rewarm gently for that just-baked taste.
How to Serve Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra chopped parsley on top makes these pinwheels pop on the plate, while an extra scattering of crisp crumbled bacon takes both flavor and presentation over the top. For a fun contrast, try a little drizzle of honey or a dusting of smoked paprika just before serving.
Side Dishes
Serve your Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels with cool, creamy dips like ranch or avocado crema, a crisp green salad, or alongside other handheld snacks like sliders and chips. They pair beautifully with icy drinks—think lemonade, iced tea, or your favorite bubbly beverages.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the pinwheels in a spiral on a large platter for a festive hors d’oeuvres display, or thread them onto party skewers for easy, napkin-free noshing. You can also bake them in a muffin tin for individual, perfectly portioned treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They stay delightfully flaky and are perfect for snacking straight from the fridge or giving a quick reheat.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked, fully assembled pinwheels in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. Bake directly from frozen, simply adding a few extra minutes to the baking time!
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven flavor, reheat pinwheels in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid the microwave—it can make the pastry a bit soggy.
FAQs
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Can I prep Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels ahead of time for parties?
Absolutely! Assemble and slice the pinwheels, then refrigerate them on a tray (covered) for several hours or overnight. Simply bake just before serving for ultimate freshness.
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How spicy are these pinwheels, and is there a way to make them milder?
They have a pleasant kick without overwhelming heat. To make them milder, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapenos, or use fewer peppers. You can even swap in some finely diced bell pepper for extra color without spice!
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What’s the best way to keep the pinwheels crisp if serving for a crowd?
Let the baked pinwheels cool slightly on a wire rack so steam doesn’t make the bottoms soggy, and serve on a large platter lined with parchment. If making a big batch, keep extras warm in a low oven (200°F) until ready to serve.
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Can I use a different pastry or dough?
Definitely! Crescent roll dough or even homemade pizza dough work nicely—though only puff pastry yields that ultra-flaky effect. Roll out whichever dough you choose to about 1/8-inch thickness for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a wow-worthy snack that’s equal parts comfort food and party showstopper, you simply have to try these Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels. They’re fun to make, a delight to share, and I promise—one bite just won’t be enough!
Print
Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 pinwheels 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels are a delightful twist on the classic appetizer, combining creamy, spicy, and savory flavors in a flaky puff pastry. Perfect for parties or snacking!
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
- 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely diced
- 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Garlic Butter:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For Assembly:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and bacon. Set aside.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 9×12-inch rectangle.
- Add Filling: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough, leaving a border. Roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Slice and Bake: Cut the log into 12 pieces, place on the baking sheet, and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a saucepan, melt butter and add garlic, parsley, and salt. Cook briefly.
- Brush and Serve: Brush the baked pinwheels with garlic butter and serve warm.
Notes
- For added heat, leave some jalapeno seeds in the filling.
- These pinwheels can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
