Cream Cheese and Spinach Pinwheels
on Dec 08, 2024
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Cream cheese and spinach pinwheels are the perfect appetizer for your next party or holiday table. Made with puff pastry sheets and a creamy spinach mixture, these cheesy spinach pinwheels are always a big hit with both kids and adults.
Read on for step-by-step instructions, tips, and variations to create the perfect party food that’s as easy as it is delicious.
About this Recipe
This recipe for cream cheese and spinach pinwheels is a great choice when you need a quick appetizer or snack.
We love spinach side dishes, like our popular roasted spinach and creamy spinach and parsnips. These cream cheese and spinach pinwheels are another yummy way to use healthy ingredients!
They’re cheesy, flaky, and packed with a spinach dip-inspired filling that’s easy to prepare. If you enjoy easy appetizers like this one, you’ll love our Buffalo Wing Dip and our Beer Dip Recipe.
They are the perfect party appetizer or soup sidekick. Since this recipe uses store-bought pastry sheets, these pinwheels are one of our many recipes that can be made in under an hour.
These pinwheels are creamy, flaky, and SO delicious. The combination of spinach and creamy melted cheese is heaven when paired with flaky pastry dough.
Ingredients and Cost
Using simple ingredients like softened cream cheese, fresh baby spinach, and puff pastry sheets, these spinach pinwheels offer the perfect combination of flavor and texture.
Key Ingredients
- Puff Pastry Sheets: The flaky base that turns golden brown when baked, making it a perfect appetizer. Any brand of puff pastry will work. I used Pepperidge Farm’s puff pastry sheet, which is approximately 9.75” X 10.5” X 3/16” in size.
- We use puff pastry in our easy recipes like these apple hand pies and this delicious pork wellington.
- Softened Cream Cheese: The main component of the creamy filling, blending beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Fresh Baby Spinach: Provides a pop of color and freshness, making it the star of the spinach mixture.
- This recipe was only tested with fresh spinach. Frozen or canned spinach could be used in place of the fresh spinach used in this recipe. However, it must be squeezed/drained of all liquid; otherwise, there will be too much moisture.
- Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheeses: Add cheesy richness for the filling ingredients.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A little heat to balance the richness of the cheese pinwheels.
- Butter: Brushed on top for a golden brown finish.
Cost Analysis
- Puff Pastry Sheets: ~$5.00 (for a 2-sheet pack)
- Cream Cheese: ~$3.00 (8 oz pack)
- Fresh Baby Spinach: ~$1.50 (2 oz)
- Parmesan Cheese: ~$2.00 (¼ cup)
- Mozzarella Cheese: ~$1.50 (¼ cup)
- Sour Cream: ~$0.75 (¼ cup)
- Spices and Butter: ~$0.50
Total Cost: ~$14.25
Cost per Serving (16 pinwheels): ~$0.89
How to Make Cream Cheese and Spinach Pinwheels
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Stir in grated parmesan, mozzarella, and chopped fresh spinach to complete the spinach mixture.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry sheets onto a flat surface.
- Spread the spinach and cheese mixture evenly across the pastry, leaving a small border along the edges.
- Roll and Chill: Starting from the long side, roll the pastry into a tight log.
- Wrap the log in saran wrap or plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes for best results.
- Slice and Bake: Using a very sharp knife, cut the chilled log into ½-inch slices. If the slices become misshapen, you can adjust the shape at this point.
- Arrange the pinwheels on a greased or lined baking sheet, brush them with melted butter, and bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes until golden brown.
An egg wash can be used to brush the tops and sides of the pinwheels instead of butter.
To serve, let the pinwheels cool slightly before transferring them to a serving platter.
Recipe Tip
Serve warm for the best flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
- Spinach: Substitute frozen spinach (well-drained) for fresh baby spinach.
- Cheese: Try goat cheese or cheddar cheese for a different flavor.
- Puff Pastry Alternative: Use crescent rolls or crescent dough as a swap.
- Additional Fillings: Add diced bell peppers, turkey slices, or green onions to the spinach mixture for variety.
What to Serve with Cream Cheese and Spinach Pinwheels
Pair these pinwheel appetizers with a fresh salad, tortilla wraps, or other amazing recipes like spinach tortillas or cheese roll-ups. They also complement soups and dips as part of a holiday table spread.
Common Questions
Yes, but the texture will be less flaky, and the baking time may need adjustment.
Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Puff pastry pinwheels are best reheated in the oven or in an air fryer so they don’t become soggy.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare and refrigerate the rolled log up to a day in advance and slice and bake when ready.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Use a damp paper towel to keep the pastry from drying out while assembling.
- Refrigerate the log before slicing for cleaner cuts with a serrated knife.
- Brush the pinwheels with butter or an egg wash for a glossy finish.
- Don’t overfill the pastry to prevent spillage while rolling.
- Bake on medium heat for even cooking and a golden brown crust.
These cream cheese and spinach pinwheels are a good idea for any gathering and a great snack for any occasion. Enjoy their warm, cheesy flavor as a perfect party food!
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Cream Cheese and Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ cup mozzarella
- 2 ounces fresh baby spinach, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and grease or line a baking sheet.
- Using a fork, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, parmesan, and mozzarella in a mixing bowl.
- Mix the chopped spinach into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
- Unfold and lay the pastry sheet out onto a flat surface.
- Spread the spinach and cream cheese mixture into an even layer onto the pastry sheet.
- Starting with the long edge of the pastry sheet, roll the dough tightly into a log shape.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 16, even slices. They should be just over a ½” thick. If the slices become misshapen, you can adjust the shape at this point
- Place the pinwheels on a lined or greased baking sheet a few inches apart.
- Brush the melted butter over the tops and sides of each pinwheel.
- Bake the pinwheels at 350℉ for 18-22 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Let the pinwheels cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the baking sheet. Serve while warm.
Notes
- Tip: Leaving a small border of pastry around all the edges helps keep the mixture from spilling out when rolling.
- Tip: You can wrap the log in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate it for an hour or up to overnight.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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