Bacon, Jalapeño, and Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped
- 2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional
- Pinch of salt, if needed
Instructions
1. Prepare the filling:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, diced jalapeños, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
2. Prepare the pastry:
Lightly flour your work surface and gently unfold the thawed puff pastry. Roll it into an even rectangle if necessary. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges. Avoid making the filling too thick, as it can squeeze out while rolling.
3. Roll and slice:
Starting from one long side, tightly roll the pastry into a log. Place the log seam-side down and gently chill it for 15–20 minutes to make slicing easier. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into approximately ½-inch thick pinwheels.
4. Bake:
Arrange the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg for a beautiful golden finish. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown, crisp, and fully puffed.
5. Serve:
Allow the pinwheels to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions if desired. Serve warm with ranch dressing, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips
For extra crispy pinwheels, make sure the puff pastry stays cold before baking. You can reduce the heat by removing the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños, or increase the spice with extra fresh jalapeño or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Cook the bacon until crisp so it adds the best texture.
Servings: 24 pinwheels
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 15–20 minutes
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour