Pinwheel Sandwiches (with Easy Ideas)

Fast and easy, pinwheel sandwiches are a fun way to jazz up your sandwich game. With endless ways to customize, these eye-catching finger foods are perfect for snack time, lunch, or as a quick appetizer.

Pinwheel Sandwiches

I’m always looking for ways to make sandwiches for my kids extra fun and exciting, especially for school. If I pack the same old sandwich over and over, there’s a high chance it’ll come back half eaten or barely touched.

Enter pinwheel sandwiches. These delightful little rolls are a game-changer. They’re eye-catching and super versatile. You can easily switch up the fillings and spreads and create new flavor combinations. 

They are great for encouraging picky eaters to try new foods and flavors. And extra bonus points if you enlist their help in assembling their own unique pinwheel creations.

Related: Best Sandwich Fillings for Lunch

Ingredients

• Tortilla – use will need large tortillas – regular flour or whole wheat soft tortillas. You can also use your favorite gluten-free tortillas, if needed.
• Spread – acts as a “glue” that holds the pinwheels together. Common spreads include cream cheese, hummus, avocado, peanut or nut butter or sunflower seed butter.
• Filling – the world is your oyster! See below for all the delicious ideas.

Easy Pinwheel Recipes

you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious pinwheels

• Rainbow veggie pinwheel – spread hummus and add finely chopped or sliced raw or cooked vegetables like bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, zucchini, and spinach
• Vegetable tortilla roll-ups with Thai peanut sauce
• Avocado chicken pinwheels – spread mashed avocado or guacamole and add sliced cheese, lettuce or baby spinach leaves, and sliced or shredded chicken
• BLT pinwheels – Spread mayonnaise or ranch dressing on the tortilla, then layer with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and sliced tomatoes
• Greek-inspired pinwheels – mix together cream cheese and tzatziki sauce on tortilla and add sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, and a sprinkle or oregano
• Mexican pinwheels – mix together cream cheese, taco seasoning, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add cooked ground or shredded beef (can also use chicken or beans) and diced red bell peppers
• Sweet potato chicken roll ups – Spread cream cheese on tortilla followed by mashed sweet potato (or butternut squash). Then add a layer of baby spinach and shredded chicken.
• Pizza pinwheels – mix together cream cheese and sugar free pizza sauce and add your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, and mozzarella cheese
• Pesto turkey pinwheel – combine cream cheese and pesto (try this ricotta pesto), spread on tortilla, favorite cheese slices, thinly sliced deli turkey, and spinach
• Salmon pinwheels – mash this salmon bean salad and spread onto tortilla
• Chicken avocado salad roll ups
• Banana sushi – can use peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter
• Nutella roll ups – spread nutella then spread some chopped strawberries. You can also add finely chopped nuts

Tip: To make these tortilla pinwheels toddler-friendly, thinly slice the vegetables vertically. You can also finely chop all the ingredients and mix them in with the spread. This will make it easier for them to eat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here I’m sharing two variations – full recipes are found below

1. Layout your tortilla on a clean surface. Evenly spread a layer of your chose spread onto the tortilla
2. Place the fillings over the spread. Be careful not to overstuff the tortilla to ensure easy rolling.
3. Carefully start rolling the tortilla from one end, making sure to roll it as tightly as possible without squeezing out the filling.
4. Optional but recommended – wrap the pinwheel tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. You will achieve cleaner cuts and a neater presentation
5. Slice seam side down with a serrated knife and enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Avoid overloading the tortilla with too many fillings as it can make it challenging to roll the pinwheels tightly and neatly.
• Slice with a sharp knife, preferably a serrated knife for best results. The serrated edge helps to maintain the pinwheels’ shape and prevent the fillings from spilling out during slicing.
• Get creative! whatever you have in the refrigerator is fair game :).
• Involve your child – allowing your child to pick out their own fillings and toppings (tip: provide them with several options but not too many) gives them a sense of ownership and pride, leads to a more adventurous palate, and reduces picky eating tendencies. Plus it’s fun way to create memories in the kitchen.

Serving Suggestions

• Party platter – arrange the sliced pinwheels on a decorative platter or serving tray
• Lunchbox – pack individual pinwheel slices in school lunch boxes. Include some vegetables, fruits and crackers to round out the meal
• Picnics and outdoor events – pack them in a portable container and enjoy as a fuss-free finger food while outdoors.
• Afternoon snack for toddlers, kids, and adults

Storage

It is best to wrap the tortilla pinwheel sandwiches individually in plastic wrap. This will prevent them from drying out and help maintain their shape.

Place in an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but it’s best to enjoy them the day of making.

Avoid slicing if making ahead. Before serving, let the refrigerated pinwheels sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes or so to allow them to soften slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources

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