Homemade Italian pinwheel sandwiches are about to become your new lunch obsession. These little flavor bombs pack a punch with creamy garlic-infused spread, briny olive tapenade, and layers of turkey and salami.
Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also fun to eat, making your boring old sandwiches look downright sad. Kids love them and they are a fast appetizer to throw together for a party.
Here is Why This Pinwheel Sandwich Recipe Works
Easy and Quick: No need to slave away in the kitchen. These pinwheels are basically a roll-up sandwich and they come together in no time, perfect for busy days.
Versatile: Great for lunch, a snack, or even a party appetizer. These pinwheels fit any occasion. Plus, you can make them ahead of time.
Fun to Eat: Who doesn’t love finger food? These bite-sized rolls are as fun to munch on as they are to make.
The Ingredients
- Meat: Genoa salami, smoked deli turkey
- Produce: Fresh basil leaves,
- Pantry: Flour tortillas or Lavash flatbread, deli roasted red peppers
- Pantry seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt
- Condiments: Olive tapenade
- Dairy: Cream cheese, provolone cheese
Ingredient Substitutions
Substitute the cream cheese with Boursin cheese and swap the provolone with mozzarella or Swiss. You can use sun-dried tomato pesto instead of tapenade. And replace the salami with pepperoni or any sandwich meat you have on hand.
Variations on our Italian Pinwheels
Turn these Italian pinwheels into quick party apps and change up the flavors. Here are a few recipe variations.
Italian Veggie Pinwheels: Replace the meats with marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and add a layer of pesto. Add some lettuce if you plan to serve them right away (it will get soggy if you add the lettuce too far in advance).
Herb and Cheese Pinwheels: Add shredded cheddar and Swiss cheese along with the provolone and add a sprinkle of fresh chopped rosemary and thyme.
For more great make ahead pinwheel appetizers, try our ham and turkey pinwheels or out salmon cream cheese pinwheels.
Tips for Success
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened so it spreads easily.
- Roll the tortillas as tightly as possible to keep the ingredients secure and make slicing easier.
- Chilling the rolled tortillas for at least an hour helps them firm up, making slicing cleaner and easier.
- If you want these apps to stretch and feed a few more people, make the slices a bit thinner.
Storage
Wrap the pinwheels tightly in plastic wrap to maintain their shape and prevent them from drying out. Place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
These Italian pinwheels are perfect for picnics, bento box lunches, and make fast, easy appetizers for parties. You can make them ahead of time without worrying about soggy bread. Just make sure to wrap them tightly so they don’t fall apart when you slice them.
Connect With Savor the Best:
Please follow us on our social media accounts
Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest * Youtube * Twitter
Did you make this recipe? We would love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below.
Italian Pinwheels (Easy Party Appetizers)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Pinch of salt
- 3 (10 inch) flour tortillas or Lavash flatbread
- 2 bunches of fresh basil leaves
- ⅔ cup olive tapenade
- 3 deli roasted red peppers sliced in thin strips
- 4 ounces Genoa salami
- 4 ounces smoked deli turkey
- 6 slices Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Blend the cream cheese with garlic powder, salt, and pepper until it is creamy and smooth.
- Spread some cream cheese mixture over the entire surface of the tortillas. Top with the olive tapenade then lay slices of roasted red pepper on top.
- Layer the salami and turkey in single layers then top with a layer of Provolone cheese.
- Roll the tortillas up snuggly; then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until chilled.
- Slice into 1-inch sections and serve.
Heidi
Friday 16th of August 2024
I love how quick and easy these pinwheels are to make. They're perfect for parties, too. We actually served pinwheels at our wedding reception, and they were such a hit!
Pat Nyswonger
Saturday 17th of August 2024
Thank you for your comments, Heidi, I agree with you, these are perfect for parties, quick lunches or a picnic!