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    Meals » Recipes » Appetizers

    Tortilla Pinwheels (Fiesta Roll Ups)

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Dec 14, 2021 by Dee

    Tortilla Pinwheels (fiesta rollups) are easy appetizers made with tortillas filled with cream cheese, spinach, diced tomatoes and black beans. This delicious appetizer is perfect party food for holidays and game day and makes a healthy light lunch or after school snack!  via @meamel

    Tortilla Pinwheels (fiesta rollups) are easy appetizers made with tortillas filled with cream cheese, spinach, diced tomatoes and black beans. This delicious appetizer is perfect party food for holidays and game day and makes a healthy light lunch or after school snack!

    Jump to Recipe -
    platter of tortilla pinwheels rollups on the table
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Tortilla Pinwheels
    • Make Ahead
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    If you're looking for tortilla pinwheel recipes, you'll love these easy fiesta rollups! Tortilla pinwheels are easy appetizers with simple ingredients that require only a few minutes of prep time.

    I have been making these pinwheel appetizers for years, and my whole family loves them!

    They are the perfect finger food for game days and holidays. We love to serve these little cream cheese pinwheels on New Years Eve along with Buffalo chicken roll ups, ham and cheese roll ups, and jalapeño popper wonton cups!

    I also love them as a light lunch, and my kids enjoy munching on these little bites for after school snacks!

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients for these tortilla roll-ups. You can find them in the grocery store if you don't already have them at home:

    • Large flour tortillas (burrito size)
    • Cream cheese
    • Spinach leaves -- I love using pre-washed baby spinach for convenience
    • Rotel -- or diced tomatoes with green chiles or pico de gallo
    • Black beans -- adds protein to this vegetarian appetizer
    • Shredded cheese is optional -- I usually make a few with and without
    tortillas, rotel, black beans, cream cheese and spinach on the table

    How to Make Tortilla Pinwheels

    First, you'll want to let the cream cheese soften up a little. It's much easier to spread this way.

    You also want to drain the rotel, and remove as much liquid as possible. Otherwise, your perfect pinwheels may get too soggy.

    You'll want to rinse and drain the black beans, as well.

    Then, place a tortilla on a large plate or flat surface. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the tortilla all the way to the ends.

    spread cream cheese on tortilla with red spatula

    Next, place a layer of spinach leaves over the cream cheese. Make sure your spinach is nice and dry.

    Follow that with some black beans and rotel. I usually add a few tablespoons of each.

    If you want to add shredded cheese to your roll ups, you can add about a quarter cup.

    spinach leaves, black beans and rotel tomatoes over cream cheese on tortilla

    Now, you can roll the tortilla up. Just start at one end and roll tortillas tightly until it's completely rolled up.

    The cream cheese should act as a glue for the end of the tortilla. You can always add a little dab to help stick if you need to.

    The middle of the roll up will probably be a little thicker than the ends. This is totally fine.

    In fact, you can always sample the ends if they're not full enough!

    roll up tortilla over cream cheese mixture

    To help the tortillas firm up before cutting, cover them with plastic wrap, and place them in the fridge.

    Refrigerate the rollups for about 30 minutes to an hour or until you are ready to serve. Then, remove the plastic wrap.

    Use a sharp knife to cut the roll ups into half inch pieces. Start in the middle, and work your way down to the ends.

    Then, place the pinwheels on a platter, and you're ready to serve them!

    Make Ahead

    So, how far in advance can you make these pinwheels? You can make them up to 24 hours ahead of time and store in your fridge.

    Worried about pinwheels getting soggy? These rollups have a layer of spinach to provided a moisture barrier, so they should not get soggy.

    platter of tortilla pinwheels rollups on the table

    Variations

    There's endless variety to be had with these tortilla roll ups--they're super easy to customize by just using your favorite ingredients!

    Some ingredients I like to add to this easy recipe for a bit of extra flavor are shredded cheese (usually Mexican blend or cheddar cheese), green onions, red bell pepper, and homemade taco seasoning.

    Of course, I don't add all this to every roll-up, but I like to assemble a wide range of different pinwheels.

    For spicy pinwheels, add red pepper flakes, jalapeño peppers, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. Using shredded pepper jack cheese will also give them a bit of kick!

    This pinwheel appetizer recipe is vegetarian, but you can add meat if you wish. Sliced lunch meat, deli ham, and even shredded rotisserie chicken make for a perfect light lunch.

    How to Store

    Store your leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they'll last for 2 to 3 days. My kids love to take these to school for lunch!

    I would not recommend freezing these cream cheese rollups, as spinach does not freeze well.

    If you want, you could freeze the roll ups for about 15 to 30 minutes before cutting and serving them.

    Recipe

    tortilla pinwheels rollups on a white platter

    Tortilla Rollups (Fiesta Pinwheels)

    Published by Dee
    Tortilla Pinwheels (fiesta rollups) are easy appetizers made with tortillas filled with cream cheese, spinach, diced tomatoes and black beans. This delicious appetizer is perfect party food for holidays and game day and makes a healthy light lunch or after school snack!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    refrigeration 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20
    Calories 51 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 large flour tortillas
    • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 2 cups baby spinach rinsed and dried
    • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
    • ½ cup Rotel drained
    • 1 shredded cheddar blend cheese optional

    Instructions
     

    • Place tortilla on plate or flat surface, and spread a layer of cream cheese over tortilla
    • Place a layer of baby spinach leaves over the cream cheese
    • Sprinkle the black beans and rotel over the spinach
    • Roll the tortilla tightly up. Place in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing
    • Repeat with remaining ingredients.
    • Remove plastic wrap, and slice roll ups in ½ inch slices starting in the middle. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve

    Notes

    Can adjust recipe amounts for the number of pinwheels you need.
    Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 63mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 365IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Recipe first published in 2015 and updated in 2021.

    black bean cream cheese roll ups

    I hope you enjoy these super fun, super easy fiesta pinwheels as much as my family does! They're a family favorite!

    For more easy recipes, easy appetizer recipes and fun finger foods, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!

    Follow along on your favorite social media for new recipes!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pattie says

      December 21, 2021 at 2:26 am

      I made these for a Christmas party, and they were gone in seconds! They taste amazing, but the best part is how dang easy they are to make!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 21, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        They are super easy! Thank you so much!

    2. Patrick says

      December 16, 2021 at 3:16 pm

      Wow was that simple! Made these for the office party last night and everyone loved them. Thought I had worked so hard to put them together. Only takes a few minutes! Yummy too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 17, 2021 at 8:21 pm

        Thanks, Patrick! I'm glad you liked the pinwheels!

    3. Ju says

      December 13, 2018 at 4:02 am

      Hi
      I can only find diced tomatoes.. not this type of seasoning. Any suggestions? Also how much in advance can I make these. Thanks

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 13, 2018 at 8:52 am

        You might be able to find Rotel or a generic version in the Hispanic aisle of the grocery store and not with the regular tomato products. It's basically diced tomatoes with chili peppers and spices. You can use a can of diced tomatoes with a can of green chili peppers and some taco seasoning. They're fine to make a few hours ahead of time. 🙂

    4. Miz Helen says

      December 15, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Hi Dee,
      I love the filling for your Roll Ups, awesome for entertaining. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    5. Dee M says

      December 09, 2015 at 6:43 am

      I've heard of Texas caviar, but I didn't realize there was a sushi too! 🙂

      Reply
    6. Dee M says

      December 09, 2015 at 6:42 am

      Thanks, Samantha. We love them! 🙂

      Reply
    7. Anonymous says

      December 08, 2015 at 10:59 pm

      We like to call it Texas sushi. Yum!

      Reply
    8. Samantha says

      December 07, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      These look absolutely delicious and work perfectly with the products! I can't wait to make these for lunches or appetizers! #client

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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