These Turkey Pinwheel Appetizers are great, and healthy snacks loaded with vitamins, protein, fiber, and low in fat. Plus, it’s a chance to get some veggies in, such as green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, or even sliced avocado. You can also add any of your family's favorite vegetables to these pinwheels.
Kids love to play with it first, of course, pretending they’re riding in a truck with big wheels before they actually eat them. Works up an appetite for other kids who are pickier eaters and makes for peaceful dinner making.
Kids need to eat more often than just breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When my kids come home from school they’re looking for something to eat right away. All of us who have kids will understand what I mean.
If you don’t have anything ready they will try to fill their stomachs with whatever they want. Instead, I have an excellent and quick recipe for you to prepare and give them something healthy to throw into those little stomachs until dinnertime comes. And prevent the attack of the pantry!
Table of Contents
What are Pinwheels?
Pinwheels are a roll-up of layered ingredients on a square flour tortilla that is cut into slices. From the side, a pinwheel shows layers of ingredients that are served as an appetizer or a snack.
Tortilla Pinwheels Appetizers Ingredients
Tortilla - square tortilla works best for this recipe which could be found in Trader Joe's grocery store.
Mayonnaise - I prefer using homemade mayonnaise, which takes the taste to the next level. You may add a little bit of garlic juice and herbs to mayonnaise, like chopped dill or parley as well.
Turkey - I like to use seasoned turkey like sundried tomatoes turkey breast because simple turkey meat is a little boring.
Cheese - you may use cheese of your choice, but I prefer using American cheese for this recipe.
Leaf lettuce - my preference is to use organic leaf lettuce which enhances the flavor of these classic pinwheels.
Tomatoes - tomato on the vines is my only preference to use for this pinwheel during the non-tomato season.
Salt and pepper - seasoning addition makes everything taste better. You may add any additional seasoning of your choice.
How to Make Turkey Pinwheels Appetizer
- Heat tortilla in the oven for a minute or so and place them back into the bag and covered with towel for tortillas sheets not to dry and stay warm.
- Place tortilla flat on a big cutting board and spread out 1 tbsp of mayonnaise on one side of the tortilla.
- Place 2 ½ slices of cheese toward one edge of the tortilla.
- Lay out folded in half deli turkey breast on top of the cheese.
- Rinse a couple of leaf lettuce leaves and pat dry with paper towel. Place them on top of the turkey meat.
- Finally, place three slices of tomatoes on top of the lettuce.
- Sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste.
- Gently roll loaded tortilla tightly and slice into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife.
FAQ's
How far in advance can these pinwheels be made?
These classic tortilla turkey pinwheels appetizers can be made 4 - 6 hours in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to serve.
Can I add bacon to my pinwheels?
Absolutely! Be creative! You can make these as BLT Pinwheels. In my opinion, crispy bacon makes everything taste better ;). Check out the full tutorial on How to Broil Bacon in the Oven.
Can I make these pinwheels the night before?
If you are planning on using fresh vegetables like leaf lettuce and tomatoes in your pinwheels, then I would not recommend making these pinwheels the night before as your vegetables will be soggy and wilted.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you are allergic to the ingredient or simply is not your favorite then you may substitute it with your favorite one. For example:
- Mayonnaise - you may use regular or whipped cream cheese.
- American cheese - some substitution ideas are Provolone, Colby jack, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack.
- Green leaf lettuce - you may use your favorite greens like spinach, red leaf lettuce or even romaine lettuce.
- Tortilla - if you're gluten intolerant, you may use gluten-free tortilla, or almond flour tortilla.
Similar Recipes
Check out more recipes made using deli turkey meat.
Recipe Card
Turkey Pinwheels Appetizers
Ingredients
Tortilla Pinwheels AppetizersIngredients
- 8 - green/red leaf lettuce leaves
- 2 - tomatoes
- 1 pack - tortilla wraps
- 8 oz. - deli turkey meat
- 4 tbs. - mayonnaise (I used homemade mayonnaise)
- 6 slices - American cheese
Instructions
How to Make Turkey Pinwheels Appetizers
- Heat tortilla in the oven for a minute or so and place them back into the bag and covered with towel for tortillas sheets not to dry and stay warm.
- Place tortilla flat on a big cutting board and spread out 1 tbsp of mayonnaise on one side of the tortilla.
- Place 2 ½ slices of cheese toward one edge of the tortilla.
- Lay out folded in half deli turkey breast on top of the cheese.
- Rinse a couple of leaf lettuce leaves and pat dry with paper towel. Place them on top of the turkey meat.
- Finally, place three slices of tomatoes on top of the lettuce.
- Sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste.
- Gently roll loaded tortilla tightly and slice into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife.
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This recipe was originally posted on October 4, 2014 (original picture above). I tweaked it a bit, included tips, and tricks on making the best turkey pinwheels. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Lyuda says
I'm so glad I came across your website. Best wishes to your family this year!
I tried these and they were amazing!
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
Welcome to my website Lyuda! I'm so happy to hear you like these pinwheels, we love them as well. Best wishes to you as well dear! 🙂
Anna says
Stupid question....how many days are this good in the fridge? I'm trying to find ideas for school lunches that I can make ahead.
Thanks!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Hi Anna! The tomatoes will water and make them soggy. They are perfect to make ahead with addition of other vegetables like cucumbers, avocado etc... Hope this helps. Thank you for topping by! 🙂
Natalie Ash says
This is great snacks, lunch, dinner idea!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Yes they are, and kids absolutely love them.
Svetlana Lyapchuk says
Would you recommend this for meal prep? How long can it stay in the fridge?
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Of course! It can be refrigerated for up to 6 hours. Just cover them with a plastic food wrap to prevent from drying out. Enjoy!
Olga says
That looks good. I'm definitely going to try this,we eat healthy foods,&no pop in the house,we grew up with no pop only for family gathering,but my stomach doesn't asept almost all of them. Thanks for sharing,God bless u. Just found your website,food & everything looks delicious.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Hi Olga and welcome to my food blog website! Healthy eating is the way to go. I consider having a dessert is totally normal healthy living if the dessert is prepared with healthy ingredients and served in small portions. I hope you enjoy my recipes!
Olga says
Yes,we really liked it,even my 3yr old girl did. Yes,i like to bake,but not a lot. Want to make those Easter eggs,i think that's what there called.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm glad your family liked it. Great way to feed kids vegetables 😉
Olga says
Yes,very true. Me,& my whole family love to cook and try new stuff. I'm half Russian and half German. God bless you!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
That's awesome! God's blessings to you and your family as well!
Olya says
Where do you buy the flat bread? Would tortilla work as well?
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I get flat bread at Winco Foods. Most grocery store should carry it. Tortilla has a different taste and not as soft.
Tatyana says
It's just a suggestion, but if you do try cranberry sauce (it will say on the can with berries) and mix that with cream cheese, I promise you that you'll never go back to plain cream cheese or mayo.:)
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thanks Tatyana! Now I really want to try it. Send me the picture of that cranberry sauce in the email if its not hard for you when ever you can. 🙂
Tatyana says
These are my favorite and I used to buy them at Costco$5 for a big tray, but then they got really expensive. However, I was able to replicate these by making your own spreading: mix cream cheese and cranberry sauce with berries. Yum!!!!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
That is a good idea of making that combination of cream cheese and cranberry sauce. The only thing is I don't know how it blends together with turkey. I guess I just have to try it. I never saw them at Costco. I guess I never paid attentions if they even sell them, since I always make my own. The 28 of them by my recipe will cost you about $5. They are also really good if you use just plain cream cheese instead of mayonnaise. Thanks Tatyana! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This looks like the perfect after-school snack for kids, or a mid-day work snack for me! I love the easy ingredients in here. Sounds delish!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thanks Gayle! This is a perfect snack any time of the day. I love them a lot. 🙂
Katya @ Little Broken says
These look great! For lunch or snacking. I only have one little mouth to feed and sometimes i feel like there's never enough food 🙂
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thanks Katya! I know what you mean. I feel like that all the time, specially having teenagers in the house. I keep telling them thank God for all we have, because not a lot of people in the world have what we have in our pantries and fridges, and we're not any better than them. 🙂