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Mexican Pinwheels

September 15, 2020 by Emily Hill 26 Comments

Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They’re so easy and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead!

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

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What is there to say about Mexican pinwheels other than they’re one of the easiest appetizers to make and the least messy to eat.

Those are two solid selling point right there.

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

If you’ve tried my hot roasted red pepper dip or easy chorizo cheese dip, you know I’m a fan of easy appetizers.

I love Mexican pinwheels because you can make them from one hour to an entire day ahead! When it’s time to serve these delightful cream cheese wraps, simply remove the plastic wrap and slice into perfectly portion-controlled pieces.

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

The portion-controlled slices won’t stop you from eating at least have a dozen, trust me.

Feel free to add more or less taco seasoning to taste and kick up the heat by using hot green chilies rather than mild. Or go all out and reach for extra hot diced jalapenos!

You can also use plain flour tortillas, though I think the flavored tortillas add a bit of fun color—and flavor—to the mix.

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

By the way, I’m not lying when I say the packet of Taco Bell Original taco seasoning is our family’s favorite… and we’ve tried quite a few of them!

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

Not a fan of Mexican-flavored appetizers? (We can still be friends, don’t worry.) Try these buffalo chicken pinwheels.

Or maybe these cheesy pigs in a blanket with sriracha dipping sauce. They’re all crowd pleasers!

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

Want to see how easy it is to make Mexican pinwheels or any kind of cream cheese wrap? Let’s go!

How to Make Mexican Pinwheels
Step 1: Mix cream cheese, chilies, olives, onion, salsa, peppers, cheese and seasoning in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture onto each tortillas. Roll tortillas and chill.
Step 3: Slice chilled wraps into 1-inch pieces.

I told you—easy peasy!

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

Printable recipe for Mexican pinwheels below. Enjoy!

Mexican Pinwheels - Mexican pinwheels are the best appetizer! They're so eays and so flavorful. And even better, you can make them a day ahead! #appetizer #halfscratched #pinwheels #appetizerrecipe #partyfood #easyrecipe #easyappetizer #creamcheese

Mexican Pinwheels

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

These Mexican pinwheels are one of the easiest appetizers you'll ever make. Kick up the heat by using medium or hot green chilies or jalapenos.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 small can diced green chilies (or jalapenos for added kick)
  • 1 (2.25-oz) can black olives, chopped
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 cup salsa, juices drained (if necessary)
  • 1/2 cup diced mix of red, yellow and orange sweet peppers
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • Dash taco seasoning
  • 6 burrito-size flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. Mix cream cheese, chilies, olives, onion, salsa, peppers, cheese and seasoning in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
  2. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture onto each tortillas. Roll tortillas and chill for at least 1 hour.
  3. Slice chilled wraps into 1-inch pieces before serving.

Notes

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 299Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 697mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 12g
© Emily Hill
Cuisine: American / Category: Appetizer

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Filed Under: appetizers, entertaining, food & recipes, holidays Tagged With: appetizer, cream cheese wraps, Mexican cream cheese wraps, Mexican pinwheels, Super Bowl appetizer

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thalia @ butter and brioche

    January 15, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I am just loving everything about these mexican pin wheels.. they look so delicious and addictive. I definitely will be making the recipe!

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      January 19, 2015 at 3:05 pm

      Thanks, Thalia! I love how easy yet tasty they are!

      Reply
  2. Samantha

    July 5, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    I have made these twice now for parties and they have been a huge hit! Each time I forgot an ingredient and even without they were delicious. They are so simple to make and fairly inexpensive. I am now getting requests from my friends to make these every time we hang out. Thanks for the great recipe.

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      July 6, 2015 at 1:13 pm

      Yay! So glad you like them. I love how easy and inexpensive–and crowd pleasing–they are. :)

      Reply
  3. Whitney

    January 12, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Pinwheels are one of my favorite appetizers. I’ve always just made the kind with lunch meat, cheese, and a ranch packet/sour cream mixture. A Mexican filling sounds so delicious! Gonna have to try this one soon :)

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      January 12, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      They are seriously so good, right? Love pinwheels!

      Reply
  4. Petra @ CrumblesAndKale

    January 18, 2016 at 7:06 am

    This sounds so good and it seems to easy. I love that you used different kinds of tortillas, the green one looks fantastic :)

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      January 18, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      It’s so fun to use flavored tortillas in this recipe! I think my favorite is always the sun-dried tomato. :)

      Reply
  5. YtheWait

    September 18, 2020 at 4:36 am

    It sounds fabulous………

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      September 18, 2020 at 11:35 am

      They taste fabulous too!

      Reply
  6. Amy

    October 15, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    Love how easy these are to make but they look so fun and tasty!

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      October 16, 2020 at 10:30 am

      They’re super fun and tasty!

      Reply
  7. Emily

    October 15, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    These Mexican pinwheels are so cute and also delicious! I made them with my kids recently and they loved the process and eating the end product!

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      October 16, 2020 at 10:30 am

      It would be a great recipe to make with kids!

      Reply
  8. April

    October 15, 2020 at 1:52 pm

    These are so good! I love making them for parties.

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      October 16, 2020 at 10:29 am

      Me too! They’re always a hit!

      Reply
  9. Shelley

    October 15, 2020 at 2:17 pm

    Such a classic and always delicious! I love that you mention these can be made ahead – that’s so awesome when I’m planning a big party spread and trying to get a lot of the work done ahead of time. Oh – and great little tip to sub in different peppers to make it more or less spicy. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      October 16, 2020 at 10:29 am

      Making them ahead is the best part!

      Reply
  10. Beth

    October 15, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    Yummy! These look so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make these! I’m so excited!

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      October 16, 2020 at 10:29 am

      Yay!

      Reply
  11. Sara Welch

    October 15, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Gave these a try for an afternoon snack, and they did not disappoint! Easily, a new favorite appetizer and snack; so delicious!

    Reply
    • Emily Hill

      October 16, 2020 at 10:29 am

      Yay! So glad you liked them!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 20 Game Day Dishes for Fans of All Ages - is this REALLY my life? | is this REALLY my life? says:
    January 16, 2015 at 6:01 am

    […] Mexican pinwheels […]

    Reply
  2. 10 game day recipes says:
    January 28, 2015 at 10:23 am

    […] from A Mom’s Take, BBQ Chicken Stromboli from A Dish of Daily Life, Mexican Pinwheels from Is This Really My Life, Twix Bacon Cookies from Gator Mom Reviews, Spicy Pull Apart Bread from A Mom’s Take, […]

    Reply
  3. The Ultimate List for Cinco de Mayo Recipes – sixtimemommy.com says:
    April 24, 2015 at 9:30 am

    […] 36. Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole 37. Mango Chicken Quesadillas 38. Chicken Tortilla Soup 39. Mexican Pinwheels 40. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup 41. Macagacados Snow Cones 42. Layered Taco Salad 43. Taco […]

    Reply
  4. Easy Chicken Enchiladas - Is This Really My Life | Is This Really My Life says:
    February 17, 2016 at 5:00 am

    […]   If you’re having company, try starting with these Mexican pinwheels. They’re the perfect appetizer and you can make them […]

    Reply

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