Easy Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels (Printer-friendly)

Flaky pastry spirals stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and jalapeños. A spicy, crowd-pleasing appetizer bakes in just 15 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy & Cheese

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Vegetables

03 - 2-3 medium fresh jalapeños, seeds removed, finely diced

→ Meats (optional)

04 - 4 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped

→ Pantry

05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pastry

08 - 1 sheet refrigerated puff pastry, thawed

→ Egg Wash

09 - 1 large egg, beaten

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, bacon (if using), garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one long edge.
04 - Starting from the opposite long side, tightly roll up the pastry into a log. Pinch the edge to seal.
05 - Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1/2-inch thick pinwheels. Place them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
06 - Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg.
07 - Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
08 - Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They come together in under 30 minutes but taste like you spent all day planning them
  • The creamy cheese filling tames the jalapeño heat just enough so everyone keeps reaching for more
  • You can prep them hours ahead and bake when guests arrive, which is basically magic
02 -
  • Warm puff pastry tears easily, so work quickly and keep a little flour handy for sticky spots
  • Use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion to get clean slices without squishing the log
  • If the pinwheels start to unroll while baking, gently press them back into shape as soon as they come out of the oven
03 -
  • Freeze the extra bacon and crumble it directly into the filling for a shortcut on busy days
  • If your kitchen runs warm, pop the sliced pinwheels in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking for the best rise

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