Creamy Spinach Pinwheels Recipe
An insanely simple appetizer recipe that is sure to fly off of the plate! This easy Creamy Spinach Pinwheels Recipe is a winner!
I originally posted this recipe in September of 2010. I had been blogging for only one year and it had already changed the way I did things. It never ceases to amaze me how my decision to share recipes and money-saving tips to others led me down this path of owning my own small business! Crazy but true. It is all thanks to amazing recipes like these delicious Creamy Spinach Pinwheels.
This recipe originally came out of one of my old cookbooks. You know, those things we kept around long before Pinterest was even a thing. LOL, I used to make them with crescent rolls (which you can still totally do), but now we have upgraded to puff pastry dough and I love them that much more now.
These are, oh so, perfect for the holidays and terrific for game day! I love appetizers like this where you can throw them together in just minutes! Just bake them up and put them on a tray for a delicious, quick appetizer.
Dough
These are the best made with puff pastry in my opinion. You can use the store bought frozen kind or try your hand at making your own puff pastry. I have even seen some brands offering a gluten free version, but I haven’t tried it yet.
Don’t like puff pastry? Don’t want to spend a ton of money? You can make these with Crescent Roll Dough too!
Filling
The filling of these pinwheels is phenomenal. In a bowl mix together the softened cream cheese, drained/defrosted spinach, garlic, cheese, salt, and pepper..
If you are having a difficult time spreading the cream cheese mixture or getting it to spread simply pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
Options
Kick the filling up a notch by adding some precooked diced bacon, roasted red peppers, onions, or other diced veggies.
Prep ahead
Want hot and fresh appetizers but don’t have a lot of time? Prep these ahead. Make the pinwheels and before you slice, wrap the log of dough in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before slicing and baking. This can save a ton of time before a get together and still provide hot, tasty appetizers.
Other Flavors
Spinach not your thing? Try other flavors using this same method. Make turkey and cheese roll ups, ham and cheese rolls ups, etc. The possibilities are endless
Creamy Spinach Pinwheels
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. In a bowl mix together the softened cream cheese, drained spinach, garlic, cheese, salt, and pepper.
Take out your thawed puff pastry dough. There will be 2 sheets and you are going to use them both. Unfold it and spread ½ of the spinach mixture over the dough leaving ¼ inch around the edge.
Roll up your dough pinwheel style and slice into pieces about 3/4 of an inch thick. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Do the same with the second piece of dough. This recipe makes 24-30 appetizers depending on size. Which is perfect for any party!
I can tell you that these are amazing. My kids love them, my hubby devours them, and everyone asks for the recipe. These would be the hit of the party at any event!
You can even make these with crescent roll dough, the instructions for that are included with the recipe below.
Serving
While these are delicious on their own some people enjoy them with a little bit of ranch dressing on the side.
Creamy Spinach Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Puff Pastry Dough thawed
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 12 oz frozen spinach defrosted and drained
- 1 tbsp. garlic minced
- ¼ cup parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- In a bowl mix together the softened cream cheese, drained/defrosted spinach, garlic, cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Unfold your thawed puff pastry dough. You are going to use both pieces in the package.
- Spread ½ of the spinach mixture over the dough leaving ¼ inch around the edge.
- Roll the dough into pinwheels, and slice into pieces 3/4 inch thick.
- Place on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Do the same with the second piece of dough.
- Recipe makes 24-30 appetizers depending on size
Crescent Dough Directions
- You could use crescent roll dough instead. Roll out the dough and press seams together. Spread the filling on the dough and roll up in the same way as listed above. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. ENJOY!
Nutrition
Check out my full list of Appetizer Recipes here
Originally published in September 2010, post updated December 2018.
What a clever creation I will love these little goodies. Anything with cream cheese and I am in love!
Aw, thanks Jacqueline! You can really get creative with these and stuff them with almost anything. They make great little snacks, or appetizers. 🙂
Those look so good. Appetizers are my favorite type of food! 🙂
What a great recipe. Thanks for sharing. These will definitely come in good use during the holidays.
Those look awesome! I will HAVE to try them! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for linking up, too!
Dian
Awesome appetizers!! This is a keeper! Thanks!
These look so yummy! I have everything but the spinach, so adding it to my list! Thanks!
This sounds delicious! Thanks!!
These look so yummy and so easy. I will have to try them.
Susan
Amanda, these look SO yummy! I love spinach! What an easy yet fancy way to get more veggies! Thanks for the recipe.
These were really good however very salty! Did I do something wrong…now that is very likely! However, the high level of salt didnt stop me but did my husband! Yea…more for me!
Hmm…mine weren’t salty at all. I would just adjust it next time to take out the 1 tsp of salt or reduce it to 1/4 or 1/2. Thats so strange.
I am actually making some right now.. I am wondering tho if the rest of the spinach n cream cheese n such can be put in the freezer for a later date.. Or should be use it all up now?
Olenka,
I had a little extra, but not enough to really save. So I just tossed it in the trash. It is up to you. I don’t know how hell it would keep.
Amanda.. Thank you so much.. I thought I would have more left over but they were soo good that my husband requested for me to open up another Pillsbury crescent can and make more.. So I didn’t have to save any lol! They are soooooo DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!! OMGOSH!!!!! I am thinking this recipe can be turned into a dip as well.. minus the crescent rolls of course 80).
Absolutely delicious! I used an 8 oz portion of home made crescent roll dough and 10 oz of frozen spinach (since the recipe didn’t give ounces) and it was great!
YUM! I know I would love these! Thanks for sharing a yummy recipe!
I made these and they were super yummy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I linked up to you 🙂
These were sooo good. My husband actually made them so (they were easy hahah)….We served to guests at a xmas eve party. I do think next time i might explore with bleu cheese instead. I had sooo many blocks of creame cheese to use up, so I said why not, and was very surprised.
Thanks for the recipe.
These look really good. My daughter has made some like these before and we all loved them. Something you might try with leftover filling if not using all is to add it into a casserole or meat loaf if the flavors look like they will work. I have used extra filling for spinach mannicotti that way and it usually does not change the flavor and adds some protein and veggies into it.
Really great! But the 8oz cream cheese was enough for 2 batches of crescents.So saved the other half for another batch in a few days. Thanks for the recipe. Taking them as appetizer to 2 parties! Easy and taste great.
Can they be cut and frozen and baked at. Later date? I am not going to a party and think these would be a great breakfast with an egg.
Hi Katherine, I have never tried it myself, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. If you try it please come back and let me know how it turned out. 🙂
These are awesome! I’ve made them several times and have been asked to bring them to parties.
Oh my stars! I love this recipe! The way these Spinach Pinwheels turned out is awesome! So easy! Simple and delicious ingredients and fun to make! I even ate the leftover filling as a dip. Thank you! Really good recipe!