Studded with diced jalapeños, these mouthwatering pinwheels are a combination of gooey cheese and flaky pastry & literally fly off the plate within minutes! These are the perfect appetizer for any occasion, be it festive entertaining, holidays, game day party, or even road trips (taste good at room temperature)! I am obsessed with puff pastry anything, and pinwheel appetizers are one of my favorite to make. A few years ago, I developed the aloo samosa pinwheels that are a house favorite! Tangy cream cheese combined with kick of jalapenos, garlic powder, green herbs and a touch of garam masala - I could eat the filling by itself! These small, delicious bites strike a perfect blend of spice, cheesiness, and butteriness and make for a great appetizer. The star of jalapeno pinwheels is, of course, the jalapeno peppers. You may adjust the heat level to suit your preference, either by reducing the quantity of peppers or by de- seeding them. The best part you ask me? Its how simple these jalapeno pinwheels are to put together! Just thaw up some buttery puff pastry, make a quick, spicy creamy cheese filling, slather on pastry,roll up,slice and bake! Whether you’re a fan of spicy foods or just enjoy a touch of heat, these pinwheels are sure to satisfy your taste buds. These spicy pinwheels are
vegetarian friendly cheesy quick & easy to make make-ahead friendly perfect party food and crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
Puff Pastry - Easily available in freezer aisle of all major grocery stores. Thaw the puff pastry in refrigerator before using. Jalapeño pepper - The hero ingredient! If you have indian taste buds like me, I also add a bit of chopped up serrano pepper. Spice Powders - Black Pepper Powder, Garam Masala Powder, Garlic Powder Green Herbs - Scallion (green onions) & Cilantro Cheese - Cream Cheese & Shredded Cheese. I use pre-packaged 3 cheese shredded blend consisting of cheddar cheese, mozarella cheese and monterey jack cheeses. Other Ingredients - Salt, Melted & Cooled Butter (to brush before baking)
How To Make Jalapeno Pinwheels
Tip - Chill Before Slicing: I find that a chilled pastry slices into much neater pinwheels without getting squeezed.
Recipe Tips
While chopping the fresh jalapenos, I recommend wearing gloves to avoid skin irritation. To control the heat of the jalapenos, remove the seeds and inner membranes. I dont mind the heat and use them whole. You could make the jalapeno filling in advance and strore refrigerated. Keep the puff pastry cold at all times. Refrigerate as many times as needed if it feels sticky or too soft to handle. The pack comes with 2 puff pastry sheets. Work with one puff pastry at a time and keep the other one refrigerated. You may scale this recipe. For a large batch, mix the cream cheese filling in a stand mixer.
Variations
You may use the same recipe to make jalapeno popper pinwheels. Just add some chopped crispy bacon (3-4 strips) to the cheese filling. Add a sweet Element - Dizzle some warm hot honey or your favorite fruit preserve on top of baked pinwheels. You could add finely chopped olives or spinach to the cheese filling. Pesto Twist- Spread pesto sauce over the puff pastry, and then add the jalapeno filling for an Italian-inspired twist.
