With July 4th just around the corner, I've been brainstorming festive appetizers that are both easy to make and visually appealing. These Patriotic Pinwheels check all the boxes! They're a delightful combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy filling, savory deli meat, and melted cheese, all rolled into bite-sized perfection. Plus, the red, white, and blue theme makes them perfect for any Independence Day celebration.
Picture this: you're at a backyard barbecue, the sun is shining, and everyone is enjoying the festivities. You bring out a platter of these Patriotic Pinwheels, and instantly, they become the star of the show. Not only do they look amazing, but they taste incredible too! The creamy, cheesy filling perfectly complements the savory deli meat, and the flaky puff pastry adds a satisfying crunch. They are seriously addicting.
I remember one year when I completely forgot about bringing an appetizer to our neighborhood block party. I was panicking! I scoured my fridge and pantry, found some puff pastry, deli meat, and cream cheese, and whipped these pinwheels up in no time. They were a total hit, and everyone raved about them! That's when I knew I had a winning recipe on my hands. Don’t make the same mistake I did!
Required Equipments
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rolling Pin
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Sharp Knife or Pizza Cutter
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Patriotic Pinwheels: A Festive Appetizer: Frequently Asked Questions
Patriotic Pinwheels: A Festive Appetizer
These Patriotic Pinwheels are a festive and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for any July 4th celebration. Flaky puff pastry is filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture, savory deli meat, and rolled into bite-sized treats that are sure to impress your guests.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier – trust me, you'll thank me later!
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning. Mix until smooth and well combined. Give it a little taste – you might want to add a pinch more seasoning, depending on your preference.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If it’s too cold and cracking, let it sit for a few more minutes until it becomes pliable. Gently roll it out into a 12x12 inch square. Aim for an even thickness so they bake uniformly.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry, leaving a small border along the edges. This helps the pinwheels stick together when rolled.
- Layer the sliced deli meat over the cream cheese mixture, followed by the provolone cheese slices. Make sure to distribute them evenly so each pinwheel gets a good amount of filling.
- Carefully roll up the puff pastry tightly, starting from one edge. Try to keep the roll as tight as possible to create nice, round pinwheels. Once rolled, gently press the seam to seal it.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, trim the ends of the roll to create clean edges. Then, slice the roll into ½-inch thick pinwheels. These ends never bake properly anyways…I like to eat them as I slice!
- Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart. This gives them room to expand as they bake.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pinwheels are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them – puff pastry can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly. I set a timer!
- Remove the pinwheels from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. They’re best served warm!
📝 Notes
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 150 kcal
Protein: 5g
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 0g
Calcium: 50mg
