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Mexican Pinwheels

Mexican pinwheels are an easy make-ahead appetizer with colorful spiral layers inside soft flour tortillas. The filling is a creamy cheese blend, rolled tightly, chilled for clean slices, then served cold or at room temperature.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
refrigerating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cream cheese layer
  • 8 oz cream cheese Softened so it spreads easily.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup diced roasted red peppers Use drained, diced pieces.
  • 0.25 cup diced green chiles
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro Chopped.
  • 0.25 cup diced jalapeños
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 0.25 tsp cumin
  • 1 salt To taste.
  • 1 pepper To taste.
Tortilla pinwheels
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 0.5 lb thinly sliced deli ham or turkey For layering over the filling.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the filling
  1. Mix together softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, diced roasted red peppers, diced green chiles, chopped cilantro, diced jalapeños, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
  2. Lay out one flour tortilla on a flat surface and spread about 1/4 cup of the cream cheese mixture in an even layer, leaving the edges bare.
Roll, wrap, and chill
  1. Layer thinly sliced deli ham or turkey over the filling in a single even layer so it stays close to the tortilla.
  2. Roll the tortilla tightly, starting from one edge, then wrap the rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap.
  3. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling, then refrigerate for 60 minutes to firm up the rolls for slicing.
Slice and serve
  1. Unwrap each roll and slice into 6 pinwheels using a clean, steady motion.
  2. Arrange the pinwheels on a platter and serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

For the cleanest spiral slices, chill the rolls until firm, and wipe the blade between cuts. Store pinwheels covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze is not recommended. If you want a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar while keeping the same filling method.