The Best Pinwheel Sandwiches

Pinwheel Sandwiches have been around for a few years, making regular sandwiches fancy and fun. Not only are they pretty to look at, but incredibly versatile. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, planning a picnic, or simply need a quick snack, pinwheel sandwiches have got you covered.

Pinwheel Sandwiches

You’ve heard of pinwheels right? Not the yard decoration, but the bite sized sandwiches with the swirl.

If so, you know that they are an easy appetizer to make for parties, game day, or a fun afternoon snack.

Not only that, they are not complicated! You can make them with a few simple ingredients. Of course, you can go all out and use fancy items too.

The basic idea behind a pinwheel sandwich is to flatten a slice of bread or use a tortilla, layer it with fillings, roll it up, and then slice it into sections, revealing a spiral pinwheel look.

The fillings can be as simple as ham and cheese to fancy rings of flavorful cream cheese and unique add ins.

I sometimes make these for a healthy snack before my tennis match but use a layer of peanut butter and slices of banana.

Read on to find some tips and tricks for making easy pinwheel sandwiches and some delicious recipes.

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What are pinwheel sandwiches made of?

Flour tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, sandwich bread, or white bread without the crust.
Spread like softened cream cheese or other condiment
Sliced deli meat or finely diced meat
Cheese, sliced or shredded
Toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and olives.

What do I serve with pinwheel sandwiches?

Chips and dip
Soups
Salads
Fresh fruit
French fries
Dipping sauces like restaurant salsa or green tomato salsa.

knife spreading cream cheese mixture on a tortilla

How to Make Pinwheel Sandwiches

First: Lay out the flour tortillas. Spread with cream cheese mixture or other condiment.

Second: Layer with meats, cheeses, and other toppings.

rolled pinwheel sandwich on plastic wrap

three rolled tortillas wrapped in plastic wrap

Third: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, chill int he fridge.

Fourth: Slice with a serrated knife and serve.

wood plank with a stack of pinwheel sandwiches

Favorite Ingredients

Meats: Deli ham, slices of turkey, roast beef, chicken.

Cheese: Cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese.

Spreads: Cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise.

Veggies: Red bell peppers, lettuce leaves, broccoli, fresh baby spinach leaves.

Toppings: Green onion, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, jalapenos.

stack of pinwheel sandwiches on a white plate

Can you prep them the night before?

Depending on the ingredients, you can certainly prep pinwheel sandwiches ahead of time. They need time to chill before slicing anyway.

Store them in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap to keep them from drying out and keeping the wrap tightly closed.

I like to store my wrapped rolls in an airtight container to keep them fresh!

How do I keep my pinwheels from getting soggy?

There are a few ways to keep them from getting soggy.

Don’t use ingredients that contain a lot of water or moisture. They can release water the longer they sit.
Pat wet ingredients dry before using.
Use cream cheese spreads or other condiments to make a moisture barrier between the ingredients and the tortilla.
Slice right before serving to keep ingredients more “whole” so they don’t start to leak.
Store any cut pinwheel sandwiches with a paper towel or napkins to soak up any excess moisture.

Can pinwheel sandwiches be frozen?

Technically you can, but they are better fresh in my opinion. If you must freeze them, pick ingredients that freeze well like sliced meats and cheeses. And leave out any fresh produce.

Do you refrigerate them before cutting?

Wrapping tightly and chilling is the best way to cut the pinwheels. You want that spiral look and this helps to firm up the fillings and help retain that pretty look when slicing.

This also allows them to be out at room temperature longer before getting warm.

Tapas Tips & Tricks

Use a spread or condiment on the flour tortilla or bread to keep them fillings from making it soggy.
If you don’t use a spread, place large pieces of green leaf lettuce to act as a barrier.
Wrap tightly to help them seal onto itself
Chill to firm up the fillings so they don’t smash.
Use a serrated knife to slice the tortillas in 1 inch sections. This will help keep them from tearing.
Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Easy Pinwheel Sandwich Recipes

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Tortilla pinwheel sandwiches are more than a great appetizer. Use them to make your kids lunch box more fun. They are the perfect finger food for kids of all ages!

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