Easy Italian Pinwheels Quick Appetizer
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These Italian Pinwheels are a party favorite, and with minimal prep and no cooking required, they’re also an easy, time-saving win for any busy host. These simple hoagie roll-ups are perfect for everything from picnics to potlucks.
As a productivity manager, I love simple recipes like these, and pinwheel sandwiches are a great fast appetizer.
These Italian Pinwheels are the perfect appetizer for parties and game day. Packed with layers of savory meats, creamy cheese, and a tortilla base, and like my Mexican pinwheels and my Hummus pinwheels, this easy appetizer or light lunch recipe requires no cooking and minimal prep time.
You can easily customize these with your favorite meats, cheeses, and spreads. You can change up the wraps and add different flavors if you want. These make a great lunch, appetizer or snack and everyone loves them. And perfect for parties, potlucks, or tailgating.
Why You’ll Love Italian Pinwheels
- Easy – This light lunch or appetizer requires no cooking and minimal prep time.
- Delicious – Whether as a lunch, appetizer or snack, everyone loves these. Great for so many occasions.
- Versatile – Customize with your favorite meats, cheeses, and condiment spreads.
Italian Pinwheel Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients with great tasting results. Feel free to customize them with your favorite sandwich fillings.
- Flour tortillas – use a gluten free tortilla wrap if needed
- Cream cheese – softened for easy mixing and spreading
- Mayonnaise
- Salt and black pepper
- Italian seasoning – or a blend of dried basil and oregano
- Roasted red peppers – sliced or rough chopped
- Salami – sliced thin from the deli
- Provolone cheese
- Red onion – thinly sliced
- Romaine lettuce leaves – optional
Equipment Needed To Make
All you need for this recipe is a cutting board and a sharp knife
Substitutions & Alterations
- You can easily change up the meats and cheeses to make your favorite.
- Add a smear of spicy mustard or Chipotle Mayo to spice these up.
- Use small street taco tortillas for bite-sized party options.
- Sub shredded iceberg for Romaine lettuce if you want.
- Add your favorite sandwich fillings, but don’t forget, you need to roll these.
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How to Make Italian Pinwheels
Follow these simple guidelines to get started. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step 1 – Combine softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning or dressing
Step 2 – Mix until thoroughly blended.
Step 3 – Spread cream cheese mixture over tortilla
Step 4 – Add pepperoni and lettuce leaves.
Step 5 – Tightly roll each tortilla and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour if possible.
Step 6 – Slice and Serve – Cut into 1″ pinwheels for easy grab-and-go bite
Raquel’s Time Saving Tips & Tricks
- Use large tortillas for a tight, even roll and more spirals per slice.
- Don’t skip the chill time in the fridge. It helps the pinwheels hold their shape when slicing.
- These are best served the same day to keep the lettuce crisp and the wraps fresh.
How to Serve Italian Pinwheel Sandwiches
Serve with marinated olives, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, and any of these great sides.
- Crispy Accordion Potatoes
- Homemade Potato Wedges
- Pasta Salad
- Zucchini, Tomato, and Onion
- Caprese Salad
How to Store Pinwheel Sandwiches
Store leftover pinwheel slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3-4 days.
More Pinwheel Recipes
- Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels
- Pesto With Cream Cheese Pinwheels
- Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
- Chicken Salad Pinwheels
Italian Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 3 large flour tortillas
- 4 oz cream cheese – softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 25 to 30 slices thin salami
- 6 romaine lettuce leaves
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- ½ red onion – thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning using a stand mixer or hand mixer. Stir in the chopped roasted red peppers until well blended.
- Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortilla.
- On the lower half of the tortilla, layer a few slices of red onion, 8–10 slices of salami, 2 slices of provolone, and 2 romaine leaves.
- Roll the tortilla up tightly from the bottom, securing all the fillings inside. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Place rolled tortillas in the freezer for about 10 minutes to firm them up, making them easier to slice.
- Once chilled, slice each roll into 5 to 6 pinwheels. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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Great for game day or the Super Bowl!