This platter of roll-up pinwheels is a favorite appetizer at any event! These step-by-step instructions will show you how to make Low Calorie Pinwheels—soft tortillas filled with cream cheese, tender turkey slices, and a medley of peppers, then rolled up and sliced into perfect bite-sized finger-food pinwheels.
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Check out my Broiled Chicken Kabobs and my Air Fryer Sweet Plantains for more delicious recipes!
Party Pinwheels
These low calorie pinwheels are filled with savory cream cheese, lean turkey, and sweet & smoky peppers. I use low fat cream cheese for fewer calories, but you can use whatever you like!
Turkey sandwiches tend to get soggy quickly, but these turkey pinwheels hold up during storage, so they're the perfect make-ahead party appetizer and grab-and-go healthy snack or lunch. Adults and kids agree these are the BEST pinwheels!
These pinwheels have a nice red and green color, perfect for the holidays! Be sure to check out these other healthy finger food appetizers for the holidays too.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Turkey roll-ups are a high protein & delicious meal on the go.
- Making turkey cream cheese roll-ups is less expensive than buying platters from from the deli or grocery store.
- Great make-ahead appetizer for parties, holiday gatherings, game day tailgates, and more!
- The customization options are endless! See below for more flavor and ingredient combinations.
More lighter recipes using tortillas as wraps: Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Caesar Wraps
Ingredients You'll Need
- Flour Tortillas: 6" tortillas (enchilada/taco size depending on the brand) make the perfect one (or two) bite-size roll-ups. You can use 8" or 10" tortillas -be sure to accommodate for the extra space with extra filling! Or try using these homemade low-carb tortillas.
- Dry Ranch Mix: From a packet, or use your favorite homemade blend.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is essential to mimic traditional party platter turkey pinwheels. Feel free to use low-fat or regular, or Neufchatel cheese, which is naturally lower in calories. Let the cheese come to room temperature so it's softer and more spreadable.
- Deli Turkey: Freshly sliced turkey from the deli counter or your favorite packaged turkey cold cuts. Use any flavor; oven-roasted, honey-roasted, smoked, or Cajun.
- Red Bell Pepper: Or pimentos, sliced thin for a pop of sweet, mild heat and subtle crunch.
- Jalapeño Pepper: Diced small, or use canned diced green chilis for less of a kick.
More hand-held recipes in tortillas: Air Fryer Taquitos
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix ranch seasonings & cream cheese. Add the dry ranch dip mix and cream cheese to a small bowl. Mix well with a sturdy spoon.
Step 2: Spread seasoned cream cheese. Lay the tortillas out on a sanitized, flat surface. Then, divide the cream cheese mixture evenly between the tortillas and spread it out, leaving a ½" of space around the edges.
Step 3: Layer the filling. Place the turkey slices, sliced red bell pepper (or pimentos), and jalapeno (or green chilis) on top of the cream cheese mixture in the middle of each tortilla.
Step 4: Roll up into pinwheels. Roll the tortilla upwards towards the filling securely, but not so tight that the tortilla tears. Use toothpicks to keep everything in place if you need to.
Step 5: Chill. Set the roll-ups in the fridge in a sealed container for at least an hour to firm up.
Step 6: Slice and serve. When you're ready to serve, trim the ends of each roll-up and slice into 1" rounds. Serve chilled or let the rollups come to almost room temperature.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Tortilla wrap tips: Most importantly, they must be soft and fresh! To make them more pliable, wrap them loosely in a damp paper towel and warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Do not try to use corn tortillas. They are not as pliable as flour tortillas.
- Place fillings towards the middle: So they stay tucked inside the tortilla as you roll.
- Wrap the tortillas securely: Wrap tightly, but not so tight that you rip the tortilla.
- Chill the roll-ups before slicing: Setting the roll-ups in the fridge firms the tortillas and helps keep them from unraveling. Don't skip this step!
- Use a sharp knife: Your knife should be sharp enough to glide through the roll-up without much pressure. Securing both ends of the roll-up with toothpicks will make slicing easier.
- Make-ahead tip: Make these tortilla rollups up to 1 day in advance. Wrap each one in plastic kitchen wrap and refrigerate. The plastic wrap will keep them from drying out overnight. Remove plastic wrap before slicing so that you don't get any plastic bits into your rollups.
Variations
Almost anything can be added to pinwheels! Use this turkey pinwheel tutorial as a guide, and roll up your favorite meat, cheese, and veggies. See below for ideas.
- Instead of turkey, use another cold cut like sliced ham, roast beef, or chicken.
- Use Italian cold cuts like salami, pancetta, prosciutto, pepperoni, and mortadella.
- Neufchatel cheese can be used in place of cream cheese.
- Try mixing in taco seasoning instead of Ranch powder into the cream cheese. You can also add a thin layer of black beans between the cream cheese and turkey, to make sure the black beans stick to the cream cheese.
- Add a layer of fresh sliced avocado, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, or fresh baby spinach.
- Instant of bell peppers, try roasted red peppers. Just pat them dry with a paper towel first.
- Add your favorite sliced cheese. Try with cheddar, swiss, or provolone.
Gluten free: Use pliable gluten-free wraps instead of flour tortillas. The remaining ingredients are inherently gluten-free!
Dairy free: Use non-dairy cream cheese and ranch dressing mix.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Turkey pinwheels are best within 24 hours after making. Keep extra in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezing: To freeze pinwheels for later, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze solid. Then, transfer the frozen rounds to a container and keep them frozen for a month. Thaw in the fridge.
Recipe FAQ‘s
Yes, pinwheels can be frozen and thawed for later. However, do not freeze if they contain lettuce or leafy greens, as they will wilt and release moisture.
You can assemble the roll-ups up to a day in advance and slice them before serving.
No. Ranch dressing will make the cream cheese sauce-like when it should be thick and spreadable.
Party Appetizers You'll Love
Low Calorie Pinwheels
Special Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 6-inch flour tortillas
- 2 teaspoon dry ranch dip mix
- 4 tablespoons fat free cream cheese or any kind of Neufchatel
- 2 slices deli turkey
- ½ medium red bell pepper sliced
- 1 jalapeño pepper sliced thin
Instructions
- Add the dry ranch dip mix and cream cheese to a small bowl. Mix well with a sturdy spoon.
- Lay the tortillas out on a sanitized, flat surface. Then, divide the cream cheese mixture evenly between the tortillas and spread it out, leaving a ½" of space around the edges.
- Next, layer the turkey slices, sliced red bell pepper (or pimentos), and jalapeno (or green chiles) on top of the cream cheese mixture in the middle of each tortilla.
- Roll the tortilla upwards towards the filling securely, but not so tight that the tortilla tears. Use toothpicks to keep everything in place if you need to.
- Set the roll-ups in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
- When you're ready to serve, trim the ends of each roll-up and slice into 1" rounds.
Notes
- You can also use 4 ounces of diced green chilies in place of the jalapeño pepper.
- Tortillas must be soft and fresh, do not use corn tortillas. To make them more pliable, wrap them loosely in a damp paper towel and warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Place fillings towards the middle so they stay tucked inside the tortilla as you roll.
- Wrap tightly, but not so tight that you rip the tortilla.
- Setting the roll-ups in the fridge firms the tortillas and helps keep them from unraveling. Don’t skip this step!
- Your knife should be sharp enough to glide through the roll-up without much pressure. Securing both ends of the roll-up with toothpicks will make slicing easier.
- Make-ahead tip: Make these tortilla rollups up to 1 day in advance. Wrap each one in plastic kitchen wrap and refrigerate. The plastic wrap will keep them from drying out overnight. Remove plastic wrap before slicing so that you don't get any plastic bits into your rollups.
- Storing: Turkey pinwheels are best within 24 hours after making. Keep extra in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: To freeze pinwheels for later, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze solid. Then, transfer the frozen rounds to a container and keep them frozen for a month. Thaw in the fridge.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Michelle
I can't wait to make these myself. I've only had store bought. I'm a new blog subscriber and looking forward to more recipes to try.
Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef
Pinwheels are so easy and delish, they make a perfect app too! Love these😍
Karen Moore
This would be amazing done with a Gluten-free tortilla. Guess what I'm taking for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for the great idea!
Tamara J
This is an awesome alternative to traditional sandwiches!
Colleen | Bakes & Blunders
Great idea! If my son ever gets over his pb&j rut, I'm definitely going to try this. It's nice to change up the standard sandwich.
Anitra
This looks really good! I haven't had a pinwheel in years. I think I going to try this recipe.