Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese combine a perfect blend of flavors and textures. The sweet, tart dried cranberries contrast beautifully with the savory feta and the creaminess of the cream cheese. The subtle crunch of green onions and the slight kick from garlic powder and black pepper add depth to the filling. Rolled up in soft tortillas, these pinwheels are a perfect bite-sized snack. But they aren’t just about flavor; they are also visually stunning, with their spiral patterns and vibrant colors. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday dinner, a family reunion, or a casual get-together, they will surely become the star of the show.
Ideal for Any Occasion
These pinwheels are incredibly versatile and can be served at a wide range of occasions:
- Holiday Celebrations: Serve them as a festive appetizer at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve parties. The holiday colors of the cranberries make them extra cheerful.
- Casual Gatherings: A great addition to any backyard BBQ or picnic. They’re easy to pack and can be made ahead of time, perfect for laid-back social gatherings.
- Game Day Snacks: Crispy, tangy, and creamy—these pinwheels are a fan favorite for any sports event, adding a touch of sophistication to your game-day spread.
- Family Meals or Meal Prep: They’re perfect for a quick snack after school or as a lunch addition. You can easily store leftovers in the fridge for a few days!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened – The creamy base of this recipe that holds all the flavors together.
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese – Adds a tangy, salty bite to balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
- 1 cup dried cranberries – The star ingredient that brings a burst of sweetness and tartness to each bite.
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions – These offer a subtle bite and enhance the savory flavor profile of the dish.
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder – A pinch of garlic powder brings a bit of warmth and richness to the filling.
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – To taste, black pepper adds just a hint of spice to complement the sweetness of the cranberries.
- 4 large flour tortillas (8-10 inches) – The vessel that holds all the delicious filling together. Feel free to substitute with whole wheat or spinach tortillas for a fun twist!
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish) – Adds a fresh, colorful touch to the final dish.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Start by gathering all your ingredients and placing them in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Take the softened cream cheese and mix it thoroughly with the crumbled feta. The cream cheese will act as the base for the filling, giving it that deliciously creamy consistency.
Next, add the dried cranberries, chopped green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper. Use a spatula to mix everything together until well combined. The sweet and tangy cranberries will mingle beautifully with the rich, salty feta and the creamy smoothness of the cream cheese. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings if necessary, adding a pinch more garlic powder or black pepper for an extra kick.
Step 2: Assemble the Pinwheels
Now that your filling is ready, it’s time to assemble your pinwheels. Lay one large tortilla flat on a clean surface, such as a cutting board or countertop. Using a spatula, spread a generous amount of the prepared cream cheese mixture over the tortilla, leaving about half an inch from the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out when you roll it up.
Be sure to spread the mixture evenly, reaching all corners of the tortilla for maximum flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Roll the Tortilla
Starting from one edge of the tortilla, carefully roll it up tightly, making sure the filling stays inside and doesn’t spill out. It’s important to roll as evenly as possible to ensure that the pinwheels are consistent in size. The tighter the roll, the better the pinwheels will hold together when sliced.
Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling until all of the cream cheese mixture is used up.
Step 4: Chill and Slice
Once all your tortillas are rolled, wrap each rolled tortilla in plastic wrap. This helps them firm up in the refrigerator, making them easier to slice into pinwheels. Place the wrapped tortillas in the fridge and let them chill for at least 1 hour. This will allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set.
After the pinwheels have chilled, remove the plastic wrap and use a sharp knife to slice each tortilla into 1-inch pinwheels. The spiral pattern will reveal the beautiful combination of colors from the cranberries, feta, and green onions.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
To finish off, arrange the pinwheels on a platter and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, if desired. This will add a pop of color and a fresh flavor to the dish.
These Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese can be served immediately, or you can keep them chilled until ready to serve. They’re perfect for snacking, sharing, or serving as part of a larger spread.
Tips and Variations
Make It Your Own
While the classic combination of cranberry, feta, and cream cheese is irresistible, feel free to experiment with other ingredients to suit your taste:
- Herbs and Spices: Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil to bring a fragrant note to your pinwheels. If you like a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Nuts and Seeds: For extra crunch, incorporate toasted nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds into the filling.
- Substitute for Tortillas: Try swapping flour tortillas for whole wheat, spinach, or even gluten-free tortillas to cater to different dietary preferences.
- Add Protein: If you’re looking to make the pinwheels more substantial, you can add a protein such as turkey slices, chicken, or ham.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftover pinwheels (though we doubt it!), simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They make a great grab-and-go snack and can even be packed for lunch.
Why These Pinwheels Are So Special
What makes Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese such a standout appetizer? It’s the combination of flavors that play so beautifully together. The cream cheese offers a rich and smooth texture that acts as the perfect base for the other ingredients. The feta cheese provides a sharp, tangy bite, while the dried cranberries add just the right amount of sweetness and a chewy texture. Meanwhile, the green onions bring in a fresh, crisp contrast to the other ingredients.
This sweet and savory snack is not only visually appealing but also an absolute crowd-pleaser. Whether served at a holiday party, a family dinner, or just as a snack, these pinwheels will undoubtedly earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an easy, yet impressive appetizer to serve at your next event, these Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese should be at the top of your list. They’re quick to make, bursting with flavor, and customizable to suit various preferences. Serve them as a party snack, a lunchbox filler, or as part of a festive meal. No matter the occasion, these pinwheels are guaranteed to delight!
Try them out today and experience the magic of this sweet-savory combo. Once you do, you’ll never look at appetizers the same way again!
PrintCranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 32 pinwheels 1x
Description
These Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. The creamy, tangy feta, sweet dried cranberries, and smooth cream cheese come together in soft flour tortillas, making them an ideal appetizer or party snack.
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 large flour tortillas (8–10 inches)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, green onions, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortilla, leaving about 1/2 inch from the edges.
- Roll the tortilla tightly, starting from one edge and working your way across.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Wrap each rolled tortilla in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap and slice each roll into 1-inch pinwheels.
- Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- These pinwheels can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to swap the flour tortillas for whole wheat, spinach, or gluten-free tortillas.
- Customize the filling by adding toasted nuts, fresh herbs, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes