Easy Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels (Printer-Friendly)
Spicy cream cheese and jalapeno filling rolled in tortillas, baked until golden. Perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties and gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Vegetables
04 - 3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
05 - 3 green onions, finely sliced
→ Seasonings
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Other
09 - 4 large 10-inch flour tortillas
10 - 2 tbsp melted butter for brushing
→ Optional Garnish
11 - Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix until completely smooth and well-blended.
02 - Fold in chopped jalapeños and green onions until evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
03 - Lay out flour tortillas on a clean surface. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture over each tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
04 - Tightly roll up each tortilla into a log. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up the filling for easier slicing.
05 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
06 - Cut each chilled roll into 1-inch thick pinwheels. Arrange cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
07 - Lightly brush the tops of each pinwheel with melted butter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and heated through.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The spicy kick balances perfectly with creamy cheese, making each bite irresistible
- They come together in under 30 minutes but look like you spent all day prepping
- You can assemble them ahead and bake just before serving
02 -
- Chilling the rolled tortillas before slicing makes all the difference between neat pinwheels and a squished mess
- Dont skip the butter brush, it creates that beautiful golden color everyone notices first
03 -
- If your tortillas crack when rolling, microwave them for 15 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel
- The trick to even pinwheels is using a gentle sawing motion instead of pressing down hard