May 24, 2019

Tortilla Pinwheels

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Tortilla Pinwheels is a recipe shared with me by my niece Sandy, who always brings them to our family gatherings for appetizers. They are wonderful. And they are always devoured. Quickly.

Post modified with new pictures on 12/22/23.)

When you consider the ingredients in these pinwheels, what’s not to love? Picante Sauce, Black Olives, Cheddar Cheese, Cream Cheese, Ham. Yum!

They are also perfect for a brunch or tea party. Bite size. Finger Foods. Pretty. Savory.

Secret Ingredient – Chopped Ham

I think the “secret” or “surprise” ingredient in this recipe is the chopped ham. I would never have thought to add that to this recipe, but it helps hold them together. And it makes them taste fabulous. If you happen to have some leftover holiday ham, go ahead and chop some up for this recipe. You’ll want to use your food processor to make sure it’s nicely ground. Or just buy a can of chopped ham or a package of ham pieces. This works, too.

Once you’ve made them, remember to freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before slicing. It helps them to firm up to hold their shape. Oh, and you have my permission to eat the ends of the Tortilla Pinwheels. Someone has to try them to make sure they’re good!

More Finger Appetizers to Enjoy

Ingredients for Tortilla Pinwheels

(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

cream cheese, softened
picante sauce
cheddar cheese
minced black olives
ground ham
flour tortillas – 8″

Instructions for Making This Recipe

Begin by gathering your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Prepare the Ingredients

Using a box grater, finely shred the cheddar cheese. Whenever possible, I encourage you to use block cheese instead of pre-shredded. It’s just better.

Mince the black olives with a Chef’s knife on a cutting board. If you’re using leftover ham or ham pieces, now is the time to grind it in the food processor.

Mix and Assemble the Pinwheels

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, picante sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, minced black olives, and ground ham. Mix well.

If needed, heat the flour tortillas in microwave a few at a time for 20-30 seconds to make more pliable.

Using a butter knife or offset spatula, spread the ham mixture to the very edges of the flour tortillas. Tightly roll and freeze for 15 minutes.

Freezing the pinwheels will help them stay firm while slicing. If you need to utilize your time differently, you may refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

When ready to serve, slice in 1″ pieces and secure with toothpicks.

Place on a serving tray or refrigerate in a covered container up to 4 hours prior to serving.

The longer these pinwheels set in the refrigerator, the softer they become. For best results, try to serve them as fresh as possible.

This recipe will make 40-50 pinwheels.

See More Appetizers Here. View more Holiday Dinner Ideas Here. Browse Tea Party Foods Here.