Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels (Game Day Appetizer)

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Looking for the perfect appetizer to add to your game day menu? These delicious jalapeño popper pinwheels taste amazing! They are packed with the bold and spicy flavor of jalapeños but also loaded with gooey cheese and lot and lots of bacon!

jalapeno popper pinwheel on a cutting board.

The spicy, cheesy, bacony filling is rolled in puff pastry, so they are crispy and flaky. These jalapeño popper pinwheels are crowd-pleasers and will be a hit at your next football game day or holiday party.

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And they are super easy to make too. If you love classic jalapeño poppers but don’t feel like slicing and stuffing a bunch of tiny peppers, this recipe is for you!

So, let’s get started and learn how to make some delicious jalapeño popper pinwheels. I include directions for making these in either the oven or the air fryer, so I have you covered.

Looking for more ideas for a delicious game day snack? Try Reuben pizza rolls, air fryer tortellini, or hot Cheeto cheese bites!

🧀Key Ingredients

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

  • Puff pastry
  • Cream cheese
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Jalapeño pepper
  • Cooked bacon or bacon bits
  • Green onion
ingredients for jalapeno popper pinwheels.

🥣How to Make Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels

  1. Puff pastry – Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured cutting board. Sometimes it has cracks where it was rolled, so press those together with your fingers.
  2. Dice – Remove the seeds from the jalapeños and dice them finely. Then chop the green onions and crumble the slices of bacon into small pieces.
  3. Mix – Put the softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, green onions, and bacon bits into a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
mix the cream cheese filling.
Mix the filling
spread cream cheese on puff pastry.
Spread on puff pastry
roll up the puff pastry with cheese filling.
Roll it up
  1. Roll – Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry sheet. Roll the dough up on the long edges to make a log. Wrap it in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours.
  2. Slice – Unwrap the dough and use a serrated knife to slice it into 1-inch pieces. Put them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Cook – Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees F or an air fryer for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. The pinwheels will be golden brown on top when done.
slice the puff pastry after chilling.
Slice the puff pastry log
pinwheel appetizers on a tray before baking.
Before baking
tray with pinwheel appetizers.
After baking

🍴Serving Ideas

These tasty pinwheels are an ideal appetizer for game days! They have a nice flaky texture from the puff pastry, which combines with the creamy cheese for fantastic flavor.

Serve them with a dipping sauce like ranch sauce or sour cream, or enjoy them plain. For a fun appetizer spread, include deviled eggs with pickle relish, air-fried pearl onions, or air fryer spring rolls. Or learn how to make the ultimate football snack stadium!

💭How to Store

Leftover jalapeño popper pinwheels can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. They will taste better warm, so reheat them by air frying them at 350 F for 5 minutes or baking them in a 400 F oven for 10 minutes.

Make Italian crescent roll pinwheels for another fun pinwheel appetizer!

plate of jalapeno popper pinwheels.

⭐Tips and Variations

Be sure to check out the step by step instructions

  • Plan ahead! Get the puff pastry out of the freezer to thaw and the cream cheese out of the fridge before you make this appetizer.
  • Make sure you remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeño. And you might want to wear gloves when dicing.
  • Switch up the types of cheese if you like. Use shredded Swiss cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Use parchment paper in the oven or air fryer, so the pinwheel bites don’t stick.

Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!

jalapeno popper pinwheels on a baking tray.
4.75 from 4 votes

Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels Recipe

Published By Anne
Elevate your game day menu with jalapeño popper pinwheels. Crispy puff pastry is filled with a creamy filling with lots of bacon and jalapenos. These are easy to make in the oven or air fryer.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Chilling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 15
Print Save Rate Pin

Ingredients
 

  • 1 sheet puff pastry dough thawed
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup bacon bits or 12 slices cooked bacon
  • 1 jalapeño deseeded and finely chopped
  • 2 green onions finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Unwrap the puff pastry dough and roll it out on a cutting board. Press the seams together to seal them.
    1 sheet puff pastry dough
  • Deseed and finely chop the jalapeño. Dice the green onion and crumble the bacon if using bacon slices.
    1 jalapeño, 2 green onions, 1 cup bacon bits
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, diced jalapeño, green onion, salt, and pepper. Or use an electric mixer to combine all the ingredients.
    8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, Salt and pepper
  • Spread the jalapeño filling mixture evenly over the puff pastry sheet.
  • Roll up the dough from the long side and form it into a log. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for 1-2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees when ready to bake, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Unwrap the dough and cut it into one-inch slices using a serrated knife. Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake the pinwheels for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Or air fry at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Notes

  • Plan ahead! Get the puff pastry out of the freezer to thaw and the cream cheese out of the fridge before you make this appetizer.
  • Make sure you remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeño. And you might want to wear gloves when dicing.
  • Switch up the types of cheese if you like. Use shredded Swiss cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Use parchment paper in the oven or air fryer, so the pinwheel bites don’t stick.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Nutrition Information

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 417mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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jalapeno popper pinwheels on a cutting board with salt and pepper in the background
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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