A delicious twist on a classic cream cheese pinwheel appetizer. Enjoy these delectable, bite-size snacks made with a savory Italian seasoned cream cheese, salami and freshly chopped pickles all snuggly rolled into a fluffy flour tortilla.
Salami Cream Cheese Pinwheel Recipe
Cream cheese pinwheels are one of our favorite easy appetizer ideas. And, this cream cheese pinwheel recipe we are sharing today is an easy recipe that is a perfect choice for any type of event.
This small bite party appetizer is the perfect finger food and a great make ahead option for anyone looking for a popular appetizer to feed a crowd.
Whether you are hosting a holiday party, birthday party, game night, a bridal shower or just want to make a quick and easy lunch or snack – these salami cream cheese pinwheels are a good option.
These delicious pinwheels can be piled high on a plate as part of a food bar spread at holiday parties or passed hors d’oeuvres style before the main meal.
Either way, this cream cheese pinwheel recipe is a fun appetizer that party goers will love.
Cream Cheese Pinwheel Ingredients
These cream cheese tortilla roll ups are a delicious combination of savory Italian seasoned cream cheese, dry cured salami and chopped dill pickles all rolled up in a large soft flour tortilla.
The combination of flavors from these simple ingredients make for the perfect bite!
You’ll need the following ingredients to make our cream cheese tortilla roll ups:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon of your favorite Italian seasoning (we love using Olde Thompson Everything Italian Seasoning)
- 7 oz slices of salami (our go to is dry hard Salami like Sopressata, mild Genoa or Napoli)
- 4 baby dill pickles, diced (we prefer Vlasic Kosher Baby Dill’s)
- 4 large burrito-size large tortillas (big soft flour tortillas like Mission are our go-to)
How to Make Pinwheels
Preparing our cream cheese pinwheel recipe is simple and straightforward.
Here are full instructions to walk you through the process of creating this delicious and quick appetizer recipe.
To start, create your cream cheese mixture by combining your cream cheese and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Mix well.
Taste your cream cheese mixture and add extra onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper to adjust the seasoning as needed.
We sometimes like to add a splash or two of hot sauce for just the right amount of added kick.
Chop your pickles into small cubes. To remove some extra moisture from the pickle juice before chopping we suggest squeezing the pickles with a Scott Towel.
We want to keep the tortilla pinwheel sandwiches as dry as possible to prevent them from getting soggy while they sit in the fridge.
Spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture in a thin layer on each large flour tortilla. Scatter each tortilla with some pickle pieces.
Place an even layer of dry salami over the cream cheese and pickle mixture.
The number of slices of salami you’ll need to use varies based on what type of Salami you buy from your local grocery store.
Use as many or as few slices of Salami as you need to cover the surface of your tortilla.
For best results we suggest you don’t overstuff your cream cheese pinwheels.
Overstuffed pinwheels roll up poorly and don’t hold together well when it’s time to slice.
Start rolling your cream cheese roll ups.
Starting from one end, roll your tortillas into a tight wrap. Use plastic wrap to hold your roll ups together while they sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
This cream cheese pinwheel recipe really benefits from an hour or two in the fridge to allow all the unique flavors to marry.
Our cream cheese pinwheel recipe can be prepared ahead of time and can sit up to 1 day before you plan to serve them. Any longer and the tortilla might start to get soggy.
Before serving, gently unwrap each cream cheese roll up.
Use a sharp serrated knife to cut each roll into 1 inch slices.
We like this size since it produces the perfectly sized small bite. Using a sharp knife that is serrated is a must here.
It helps keep the roll ups intact as you slice and ensures you get a clean cut for primo presentation.
Tips for Making Tortilla Roll Up Appetizers
Control the moisture: to prevent our pinwheel appetizers from getting soggy we recommend controlling the moisture inside your roll up. If adding extras to your cream cheese mixture make sure to be mindful of how much liquid you are adding. Too much moisture will make our cream cheese pinwheels get moist and soggy quicker.
Less is more: to get a perfect pinwheel shape be mindful of how much filling you layer on your tortilla. A thin layer of cream cheese, a handful of cubed pickles and one layer of salami is plenty and makes rolling your tortilla easier. Cream cheese roll ups that are overstuffed tend to break apart when you try to slice them.
Wrap tightly: wrapping your cream cheese roll ups tightly using plastic wrap is a must. This helps keep the pinwheels together and prevents them from unraveling and bursting open while they sit in the fridge.
Use a serrated knife: before serving your cream cheese pinwheels, use a sharp serrated knife to cut them into one inch slices. This helps prevent any smushing or shredding of the tortilla roll ups while they are being sliced.
Slice em’ cold: Don’t attempt to slice these tortilla roll ups at room temperature. Instead, take them out of the fridge and slice them when they are cold. This helps keep everything together as you slice through them and create your pinwheels.
Cream Cheese Pinwheel Variations
Pinwheel recipes are the perfect appetizer because they can be customize and made with your favorite ingredients.
Our version of Italian pinwheels are loaded with a rich cream cheese spread, dry hard salami and pickles.
But, the options and possibilities for creating a cream cheese pinwheel recipe are really endless.
Here are some delicious variations for tortilla rollups you can consider making too:
- Shredded rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts, chunky salsa, green chilies, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream for dipping
- Cream cheese mixture made with ranch dressing mix, Colby jack cheese and deli ham
- Roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, provolone cheese and sliced roast beef
- Cream cheese mixture made with taco seasoning and chili powder, green chiles, shredded chicken, cheese
- Red onion, green onions, bacon bits and cream cheese made with dry ranch mix
- Grilled chicken breast, chopped bell peppers, feta cheese, black olives and tzatziki
- Sun dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese flakes and mortadella
- Cream cheese mix with Italian seasoning, red bell pepper, pepperoni
And, if you want some creative ideas for tortilla roll-up alternatives you can consider using the following instead of a large flour tortilla:
- Whole wheat tortillas
- Herb spinach tortillas
- Corn tortillas
- Olive oil chickpea flour tortillas
- Almond flour tortillas
- Cassava flour tortillas
- Grain free tortillas
Storage Tips
If you plan to make our cream cheese pinwheel recipe ahead of time plan to wrap your tortilla rolls tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until the time you plan to serve them.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. After 2 days this cream cheese pinwheel recipe tends to get soggy.
Salami Cream Cheese Pinwheel Recipe
A delicious twist on a classic cream cheese pinwheel appetizer. Enjoy these delectable, bite-size snacks made with a savory Italian seasoned cream cheese, salami and freshly chopped pickles all snuggly rolled into a fluffy flour tortilla.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning*
- 4 baby dill pickles
- 7 oz package thinly sliced salami**
- 4 large flour tortillas ***
Instructions
- 1. Combine the cream cheese and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Mix well.
- 2. Chop the pickles into small chunks.
- 3. Spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture onto each tortilla.
- 4. Scatter pickle chunks across each tortilla.
- 5. Top each tortilla with one layer of salami. You will need to cut one slice of salami in half to make it fit.
- 6. Starting from one end, roll up each tortilla tightly. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- 7. Before serving, remove plastic wrap and use a serrated knife to cut each roll into 1 inch pinwheels. You can discard or eat the end pieces.
Notes
* Our favorite Italian seasoning is Olde Thompson Everything Italian Seasoning
** We like to use a dry hard salami like Sopressata, Napoli, or mild Genoa.
*** Flour tortillas were used in this recipe. You can also use whole wheat, sun dried tomato basil, jalapeno cheddar or spinach herb.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 26 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 85Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 239mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g
Nutritional information is approximate.
Final Thoughts
Making cream cheese pinwheels is a great way to impress your guests with an easy-to-make appetizer. Tortilla roll ups are seriously the ultimate party appetizers.
With just a few very simple steps and ingredients, you can whip up the perfect snack or a quick lunch for any occasion.
From traditional finger food hors d’oevres or an addition to a charcuterie or grazing board these cream cheese pinwheels are a delicious addition to any event.
The best part? For some added fun, experiment with different variations of fillings so everyone can find something they love. Finally, make sure to store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for optimal freshness. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make this cream cheese pinwheel recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Our cream cheese pinwheel recipe can be made about 1 day ahead of time. Make sure to roll your tortillas tightly in plastic wrap and slice using a sharp serrated knife right before serving.
How long does this salami cream cheese pinwheel recipe last?
Our salami cream cheese pinwheel recipe rarely produces leftovers! But, if you do have a few pinwheels left you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to enjoy the next day. Generally, it’s best to consume these cream cheese pinwheels within 2 days.
How do you get pinwheels to stick?
Our cream cheese pinwheel recipe was designed to have ingredients stick together as your roll them up. The savory cream cheese mixture serves as a sticky layer that holds the tortilla, pickles and dry salami in place.
Can I use other fillings to make tortilla roll-ups?
You sure can. Tortilla roll up can be sweet or savory. For some of our favorite alternatives scroll up to see what we suggest as an alternative to this cream cheese pinwheel recipe.
Do you have any other small bite appetizer to recommend?
We sure do! Check out these 200+ small bite finger foods and appetizers we collected.
What is the nutritional information of this cream cheese pinwheel recipe?
Scroll up to the recipe card to see detailed nutritional and daily values.
Even More Party Food Ideas We Love
- Food bars: a fun and creative way to feed a small or large crowd
- Simple fruit skewers: a guaranteed crowd pleaser these rainbow fruit skewers are beautiful and delicious
- Small bite appetizers: a huge collection of easy low-prep small bite apps perfect for any type of event.
- Food skewers: clever appetizers you can serve on a stick
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