If you love jalapeño poppers, you’re going to flip for these Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels with Puff Pastry!
They come together quickly with simple ingredients, and once they’re sliced and baked, you have a crowd-pleasing easy appetizer that disappears fast.
You’ll find even more easy, flaky recipe ideas on my Puff Pastry Recipes page if you’re looking for fun ways to use that box in your freezer.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Chill: 20 min | Cook/Bake: 14 min | Difficulty: Easy
What it is: A fun, jalapeño-popper inspired appetizer made with puff pastry, cream cheese, chopped jalapeños, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning rolled into irresistible pinwheels.
Why you’ll love it: They bake up golden, flaky, and full of flavor; perfect for parties, game days, or quick holiday entertaining.
How to make it: Mix the creamy filling, spread it over thawed puff pastry, roll it tightly, chill to keep the shape, slice into pinwheels, and bake until puffed and lightly browned.
👉Need more appetizer inspiration? Check out my Appetizer eBook—it’s packed with easy-to-make recipes that are perfect for family gatherings.
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why I love this recipe and you will too!
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Easy Appetizer Recipes You'll Love!
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Comments
Why I love this recipe and you will too!
- I love how quick and easy these are! They look impressive but take almost no effort.
- The spicy-creamy filling tastes just like a jalapeño popper but in an appetizer everyone can grab and enjoy.
- They bake up golden, flaky, and irresistible every single time.
Want another spicy favorite? Try my Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers or Jalapeno Corn Muffins recipe next!
Recommended Kitchen Tools
For a full list of kitchen tools used in this recipe, be sure to check the recipe card below. You can also browse my Favorite Kitchen Tools by clicking the photo below.
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. For exact amounts and to easily shop for everything, click the Instacart button in the recipe card below to add the ingredients straight to your cart!
Substitutions and Variations
- Puff Pastry Dough: Try this recipe using crescent rolls or flour tortillas like I do with my Cream Cheese Spirals.
- Bacon: Swap the bacon for cooked sausage, diced ham, or even turkey bacon.
- Jalapeños: Use pickled jalapeños for a milder bite or substitute finely diced green chiles.
- Ranch Seasoning: Replace the ranch mix with taco seasoning or a garlic-herb blend for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese: Add shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack to make the filling extra cheesy.
- Heat Level: For more spice, mix in crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the cream cheese, shredded Colby Jack cheese, crumbled bacon, ranch seasoning, and diced jalapeños to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Combine with a mixer until well combined.
Step 3: Brush the puff pastry sheet with 1 tablespoon then spread the filling evenly over it. Roll up the dough in parchment paper and freeze 20 minutes before slicing.
Step 4: Slice into 8 pinwheels and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the sides with the remaining olive oil.
Step 5: Bake for 20 minutes at 400°F until golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO: Chill the filled puff pastry log before slicing so the pinwheels hold their shape and bake evenly.
❌ DO NOT: Skip softening the cream cheese — cold cream cheese won’t spread smoothly and can tear the pastry.
How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or air fryer so they stay crisp.
Freezer: These are best enjoyed fresh and not recommended for freezing once baked.
Serving Tips: Serve warm with ranch dressing or a simple dipping sauce to bring out the jalapeño popper flavor.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Yes, you can use crescent roll dough, but the texture will be different. Crescent dough bakes up softer and bread-like, while puff pastry gives you those crisp, flaky layers that make the pinwheels feel more like jalapeno poppers. If you use crescent dough, be sure to pinch the seams together well before spreading the filling.
Gently press the filling into the pastry before rolling and don’t spread it all the way to the edges. Starting with chilled pastry and a slightly chilled filling also helps everything stay in place as you roll.
Yes. Removing the seeds and inner membranes will noticeably reduce the spice level, making the pinwheels milder and more family-friendly. If you enjoy a little heat, leave some of the seeds in or use a mix of seeded and unseeded jalapenos.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes You'll Love!
Looking for more Easy Appetizers? Try my Jalapeno Popper Dip, Bacon Wrapped Cheese Jalapenos, and even my Tomato and Mozzarella Puff Pastry Bites. Yum!
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
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⭐Tried it already? Don't forget to leave a review and star rating! Your support helps me continue creating and sharing free recipes for you to enjoy!
👉 Want to save this printed recipe? My Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder is the perfect place to keep all your favorite recipes organized and ready to use again and again!
📖 Recipe Card
Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels with Puff Pastry
Ingredients
Equipment
Video
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, crumbled bacon, ranch seasoning, Colby Jack cheese, and diced jalapeños. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix until well combined.
- Roll out the puff pastry dough on a clean surface and brush with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the dough.
- Roll up the dough and place it in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- After 20 minutes, remove the roll from the freezer and slice it into 8 pinwheels. Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the sides of each with the remaining olive oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese so it spreads smoothly over the pastry.
- Remove the jalapeño seeds if you want a milder flavor.
- Keep the filling a little away from the edges to help prevent it from squeezing out when you roll the pastry.
- Brushing the dough with olive oil helps prevent it from becoming soggy when baking.
- Chilling the rolled-up dough in the freezer for 20 minutes makes it easier to slice into pinwheels.
- Store baked pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Reheat at 350°F for a few minutes to crisp the pastry again.
- Assemble and refrigerate the filled, rolled pastry up to one day ahead, then slice and bake when ready.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food Safety Tips
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
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