Feta Cranberry Walnut Pinwheel Appetizers
Creamy, tangy pinwheels combining whipped cream cheese and crumbled feta with tart craisins and toasted walnuts, rolled in soft tortillas. Fresh green onion brightens the filling and garnish. Ideal for parties, potlucks, or make-ahead entertaining. The contrast of textures and flavors makes these more interesting than standard cream cheese roll-ups, while being simple enough for weeknight prep.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce whipped cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounce feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup green onion, thinly sliced, green part only
- 6 ounce dried cranberries (craisins)dried apricots1:1fruit
slight tartness
- ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped small
- 3 10 inch tortillas, regular or whole wheat
- green onion, sliced, for garnish(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine softened cream cheese, crumbled feta, chopped walnuts, and sliced green onion in a small bowl.
- 2
Stir in dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
- 3
Spread one-third of the mixture evenly across each tortilla.
- 4
Roll each tortilla tightly without tearing, ensuring filling reaches the edges to seal.
- 5
Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- 6
When ready to serve, trim the ends and slice into 8 pieces per tortilla or thinner if preferred.
- 7
Arrange on a plate and top with additional sliced green onion for garnish if desired.
Tips
Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing so it blends smoothly without lumps and spreads evenly on tortillas.
Refrigerate rolls for at least 2 hours before slicing; they slice cleaner and hold their shape better when chilled firm.
Toast walnuts lightly in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to deepen their nutty flavor before chopping and adding to the filling.
Good to Know
Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, refrigerate up to 5 days. Freeze up to 2 months; thaw in refrigerator before serving.
Prepare rolls up to 2 days in advance. Slice just before serving for best presentation.
Room temperature or chilled. Arrange on a platter as an appetizer, snack, or light lunch item.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip wrapping in plastic wrap to avoid drying out during refrigeration.
Do not forget to reach filling to the tortilla edges to ensure they stay sealed when rolled.
Do not slice until chilled to avoid filling smearing or falling out.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make these the night before?
Yes. Prepare the rolls, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Slice just before serving to keep them fresh and neat.
Can I freeze pinwheels?
Freeze unsliced rolls up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator for 4 hours, then slice and serve. Do not freeze after slicing as pieces may separate.
What if the filling is too soft to spread?
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature and feta is finely crumbled. If still loose, refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before spreading to firm it up.