Give it up, my snack-loving friend! You cannot resist the call of these Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels. I’m telling you, they are a total game-changer. If you’re a fan of cheesy, comforting bakes, you have to try this incredible Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno next.
Are you ready for a snack that’s a party in your mouth and a high-five from your fridge? We’re talking flaky, buttery pastry wrapped around the dreamiest, cheesiest, most broccoli-packed filling you can imagine.
This is the snack hero we’ve all been waiting for. It’s perfect for lunch boxes, after-school hunger, or when you need a quick bite that feels like a hug. Let’s make some magic!
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
- Category: Snack / Appetizer
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: Makes about 24 pinwheels
Do You Love This Recipe Too?
I am completely, utterly obsessed. It started as a desperate attempt to get more greens into my toddler’s diet.
One day, I just rolled some cheesy broccoli into store-bought puff pastry. The result? Pure, unadulterated joy.
Now, my little one asks for “green wheels” almost every day. Seeing that victory dance in the kitchen is my absolute favorite thing. It’s a win for everyone!
My Shopping List for This Recipe
This recipe is a beautiful blend of simple, wholesome ingredients and one genius shortcut. Here’s what you’ll need to grab.
The star of the show is, of course, the broccoli. We’re giving it a major flavor boost with two kinds of cheese. So good!
Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels Recipe!
Nutrition Information
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Alright, let’s line everything up. This makes the whole process so smooth and easy. You’ve got this!
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed (this is our secret weapon!)
- 1 ½ cups small broccoli florets, steamed until very tender
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional but amazing)
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 large egg (for the egg wash)
- 1 tbsp water (for the egg wash)
- A pinch of salt and black pepper
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
This is where the fun begins! Rolling these up is seriously satisfying. Follow these steps and you’ll be a pinwheel pro.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is non-negotiable for easy cleanup!
- Make the filling. In a food processor, pulse the steamed broccoli, cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, garlic, onion powder, and paprika until it’s mostly smooth. A few tiny broccoli bits are totally fine! Season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper.
- Roll it out. On a lightly floured surface, roll your thawed puff pastry sheet into a roughly 10×12 inch rectangle.
- Spread the filling. Use a spatula to spread the broccoli-cheese mixture evenly over the entire surface of the pastry, leaving a tiny ½-inch border along one of the long edges.
- Start rolling. Begin at the long edge opposite the border. Roll the pastry up tightly, like a jelly roll, toward the clean border. Press gently to seal the edge.
- Chill the log. Pop the roll onto your prepared baking sheet and stick it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. This makes slicing so much easier and gives cleaner cuts!
- Slice and bake. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tbsp of water. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the chilled log into ½-inch rounds. Place them cut-side-up on the baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with the egg wash.
- Bake to golden perfection. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the pinwheels are puffed and a beautiful golden brown. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving—that cheesy filling is lava-hot!
Fun Variations to Try Next Time
Once you master the basic recipe, the world is your pinwheel! Here are a few of my favorite twists.
Add some cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham to the filling for a salty, savory punch. Kids go crazy for it!
Swap half the broccoli for finely chopped spinach or sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a great way to mix up the colors and flavors.
For a little kick, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the cheese mixture. So yummy for grown-up palates!
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
These pinwheels are fantastic for making ahead. Here’s how to keep them tasting fresh.
Store cooled pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They are perfect for grabbing and going! For another fantastic grab-and-go snack, check out these Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups.
To freeze, arrange the unbaked, sliced pinwheels on a parchment-lined sheet. Freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes. This is my ultimate meal prep hack!
Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to get the pastry crispy again. The microwave works, but it makes them soft.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Serving Size: 2 pinwheels
- Calories: ~180
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Total Fat: 13g
- Note: This is an estimate. Values can vary based on specific ingredients used.
A Quick Q&A on This Recipe
Can I use fresh pizza dough instead of puff pastry?
You absolutely can! The texture will be more bread-like and chewy than flaky. Just roll, fill, and bake according to your pizza dough package directions. It’s a delicious, whole-wheat friendly option.
My toddler is suspicious of green things. Any tips?
I feel you! The food processor is your best friend here. Blending the broccoli completely into the cheese hides it perfectly. Call them “cheesy wheels” or “sun wheels” instead. Sometimes a fun name makes all the difference!
Why did my pinwheels unroll in the oven?
This usually means the roll wasn’t quite tight enough, or the sealing edge didn’t stick. Make sure to press that final edge firmly into the roll. Chilling the log before slicing also helps everything hold its shape beautifully.
And there you have it! Your new favorite snack that’s equal parts fun, delicious, and secretly wholesome.
These little pinwheels have saved my sanity on more busy days than I can count. They bring a smile to every face that tries them. For more easy, cheesy comfort food that the whole family will love, don’t miss these gooey Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups.
I am so excited for you to try this recipe. I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know what you think!
