Savory Christmas Bacon & Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
These Savory Christmas Pinwheels with Bacon & Cheese are perfect festive appetizers featuring crispy bacon, creamy cheeses, and a flaky puff pastry base. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, they are a crowd-pleasing snack for holiday gatherings or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 5–6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2–3 green onions, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Cook Bacon: In a skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Remove from skillet and let cool, then crumble into small pieces for the filling.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, finely chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Roll Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet, smoothing out any creases. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch for even puffing and structure.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spread the prepared cream cheese mixture over the surface of the puff pastry, leaving roughly a 1/2 inch border around the edges to allow for sealing.
- Form Log: Starting from one edge, tightly roll the puff pastry into a log shape. Press and seal the edge with your fingers to keep the roll intact during baking.
- Slice Pinwheels: Using a sharp knife, cut the rolled log into 1/2-inch thick slices, resulting in approximately 12 to 15 pinwheels.
- Arrange & Brush: Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for expansion. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to achieve a glossy, golden finish once baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the pinwheels are puffed and golden brown on top.
- Cool & Serve: Remove from oven and allow the pinwheels to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Make sure puff pastry is fully thawed but cold to prevent it from tearing while rolling.
- Use a sharp knife to ensure clean pinwheel slices that hold their shape.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.
