If you are looking for an easy appetizer to serve this holiday, make these Tortilla Pinwheels. Simple ingredients make these easy to make.

Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter stacked
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Tortilla Pinwheels Recipe:

This tortilla roll ups recipe is always a family favorite. It is a classic recipe that I grew up on and now I continue to serve it for the holidays and game day parties. It is the quickest and easiest Christmas appetizer to make and the ingredients can easily be changed.

This bite size appetizer is the perfect recipe to make ahead of time. It actually taste better which saves me time with all of my holiday cooking. This creamy, cheesy appetizer are always a kid favorite and adults love them to.

Serve these pinwheels this holiday for a delicious and easy to make appetizer. Everyone loves a bite size, no bake appetizer. Tortilla Pinwheels are light enough that you can grab two.

Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter

What is a Tortilla Pinwheel?

Tortilla roll up recipe is always a crowd favorite. The reason I love making them is because you only need a few ingredients and they taste delicious.

Tortilla Pinwheel appetizer recipe is made with a cream cheese base. The cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese is combined with a simple seasoning in a bowl. This mixture is then spread over tortillas, then rolled up and refrigerated.

Once they have had time to rest, then they are ready to slice and serve. The best no bake, quick and easy appetizer that you will make this holiday.

Ingredients needed - cream cheese, sour cream, cheese, green chiles, green onions, chili powder, garlic powder, flour tortilla

Ingredients:

  • Cream Cheese softened
  • Sour Cream
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Diced Green Chiles 4 ounce can – drained
  • Chopped Green Onions
  • Chili Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Flour Tortillas

How to Make Tortilla Roll Ups:

  • Step 1 – Beat cream cheese & sour cream – Beat together the cream cheese and sour cream with a hand held or stand up mixer.
  • Step 2 – Mix in additional ingredients – Then stir in the cheddar cheese, green chiles, green onions, chili powder and garlic powder.
Mixing the cream cheese filling in a bowl
  • Step 3 – Spread on Tortilla – Spread the mixture evenly on each of the flour tortillas and roll them up tightly.
  • Step 4 – Wrap in Plastic Wrap – Wrap each one in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to over night.
Spreading the mixture and rolling into plastic wrap
  • Step 5 – Serve and Enjoy – When ready to serve, slice each wrap into approximately ¾” thick rounds.  Serve with your favorite salsa and enjoy!
Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter

Recipe Tips:

  • Cream Cheese – For best results, we recommend softening the cream cheese. It helps to have a smooth and creamy base.
  • Tortilla – There are many different tortillas to choose from. But we like to use a large burrito size tortilla.
  • Rolling the Tortilla – After spreading the cream cheese base on the tortilla, make sure you tightly roll the tortilla. This helps to seal the ingredients together for when you slice the tortilla.
  • Slicing – We recommend slicing the tortilla in about ¾ inch thick round roll ups. This allows you to get multiple rolls ups with each tortilla roll ups.
  • Spreading the mixture – When spreading the cream cheese mixture on the tortilla, make sure it is layered as a thin spread. This helps to tightly roll the tortilla easily.
Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter stacked

Tortilla Pinwheels Filling Ideas:

  • Add Meat – Add diced ham to make a ham and cheese pinwheel. It is delicious and makes these pinwheels so hearty. Adding meat would be the perfect option as an after school snack. Pinwheel sandwiches are the perfect size for little hands.
  • Add Vegetables – These pinwheels would be delicious with added vegetables. You can add in bell peppers or diced spinach for a delicious option. Chopped broccoli or cauliflower would also be additional option.
  • Change the Seasoning – You can easily change the seasoning for these pinwheels. Add in taco seasoning to make a Mexican tortilla Pinwheel.
  • Shredded Chicken – If you have leftover chicken, mix it in with the cream cheese mixture.
  • Hot Sauce – If you like to add extra spice to your pinwheel, dip the pinwheels in hot sauce.
  • Low Carb Option – There are many different tortillas to choose from, you can choose a low carb tortilla. You can also spread the cream cheese mixture on a slice of ham and roll up.
  • Cheese – We used cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can easily change it to what you prefer. We recommend shredded the cheese from a hunk cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Try mixing in pepper jack cheese or Monterrey jack cheese for a delicious variation.

How long to Refrigerate before Slicing:

For best results, we recommend chilling the pinwheels for at least 1 hour before slicing. You can also chill the pinwheels overnight.

Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter stacked

How to Serve Tortilla Rolls Ups:

These tortilla roll ups are best served cold. When not serving, place in the refrigerator.

How to Store:

These pinwheels are great stored in the fridge in an air tight container. They will last about 3 days in the fridge. We recommend to keep the tortillas wrapped and then slice when ready to serve.

Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter

Can you Make Pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes, this easy appetizer can be prepared ahead of time. We recommend storing in the fridge and then you are ready to serve, slice the tortilla.

We recommend serving the pinwheels within 2 days of preparing the pinwheels. This prevents the pinwheels from getting soggy.

Tortilla Pinwheels on a platter

Can you Freeze Tortilla Pinwheels?

Yes, you can freeze tortilla pinwheels. After preparing the pinwheels wrap in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place in a zip lock freeze bag or freezer safe container. They will last about 1 month in the freezer.

When you are ready to serve, thaw to room temperature and serve.

Easy Holiday Appetizer:

If you are looking for an easy appetizer to make this holiday, make these Tortilla Pinwheels. These pinwheels are great to serve as an appetizer for an after school snack.

You can change the ingredients to add more flavor or meats to make them hearty. This budget friendly appetizer is perfect for a holiday dinner and will always be a crowd favorite.

Print Recipe here for Tortilla Pinwheels:

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Tortilla Pinwheels

4 from 1 vote
If you are looking for an easy appetizer to serve this holiday, make these Tortilla Pinwheels. Simple ingredients make these easy to make.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Refrigerate 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10
Cuisine American
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Calories 193

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
  • 8 ounces Sour Cream
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 can Diced Green Chiles 4 ounce can – drained
  • 5 Green Onions chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 5 10” Flour Tortillas

Instructions

  • Beat together the cream cheese and sour cream with a hand held or stand up mixer.
  • Then stir in the cheddar cheese, green chiles, green onions, chili powder and garlic powder.
  • Spread the mixture evenly on each of the flour tortillas and roll them up tightly.
  • Wrap each one in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to over night.
  • When ready to serve, slice each wrap into approximately ¾” thick rounds.  Serve with your favorite salsa and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 193kcal, Carbohydrates 11g, Protein 6g, Fat 14g, Saturated Fat 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Cholesterol 39mg, Sodium 309mg, Potassium 106mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 602IU, Vitamin C 4mg, Calcium 119mg, Iron 1mg

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More Easy Christmas Appetizers:

If you are looking for an easy appetizer to serve this holiday, make these Tortilla Pinwheels. Simple ingredients make these easy to make. Serve these pinwheels this holiday for a delicious and easy to make appetizer. Everyone loves a bite size, no bake appetizer. #christmasonadime #tortillapinwheels #tortillarollups

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Hi! We are Carrie and Christina! Welcome to Christmas on a Dime!

We  are sisters and love everything about Christmas. We are here to help you celebrate the magic of Christmas all year long!

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