Description
These Ranch Pinwheels are a delightful appetizer featuring a creamy ranch-flavored filling combined with cheddar cheese and fresh veggies, rolled inside soft flour tortillas or flaky puff pastry. Perfect for parties or snacks, they can be served chilled as no-bake pinwheels or baked for a crispy, golden treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream or mayonnaise
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
For the Base
- Large flour tortillas or puff pastry sheets
Optional Add-ins
- Chopped cooked chicken
- Chopped black olives
- Fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the ranch filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream or mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning mix. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add cheese and vegetables: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, diced red bell pepper, and chopped green onions. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Spread and roll for no-bake version: If using flour tortillas, spread the ranch mixture evenly over each tortilla. Roll them tightly to form log shapes and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Slice and serve no-bake pinwheels: Once chilled, cut the rolled tortillas into 1-inch thick slices to reveal the pinwheel pattern. Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.
- Prepare puff pastry pinwheels for baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out the puff pastry sheets and spread the ranch cream cheese mixture evenly over them.
- Add optional fillings and roll: Sprinkle any desired optional ingredients such as cooked chicken, olives, or spinach over the filling. Roll the puff pastry sheet tightly into a log.
- Slice and bake: Cut the rolled puff pastry into 1-inch pinwheel slices. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the pinwheels are golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and serve baked pinwheels: Allow the baked pinwheels to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- The recipe can be prepared as no-bake using flour tortillas or baked using puff pastry sheets.
- Chilling the no-bake pinwheels helps the filling set for easier slicing and better texture.
- Customize your pinwheels with optional ingredients such as cooked chicken, olives, or spinach for added flavor and nutrition.
- Use gluten-free tortillas or puff pastry if needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- For a vegetarian option, skip any meat additions and use sour cream instead of mayonnaise if preferred.
