These jalapeno popper pinwheels are flaky, cheesy, and bursting with bold flavor. Wrapped in golden puff pastry, the creamy filling combines sharp cheddar, spicy jalapenos, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning to create a satisfying bite-sized snack. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, game day, or needing a quick snack, these pinwheels bring big flavor with minimal fuss.
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I made these for a weekend hangout with my friends, and they disappeared in minutes—no leftovers in sight. I love how the puff pastry turns perfectly golden in the oven, while the filling gives me that creamy, spicy, bacon-loaded flavor I’m always craving. It’s one of my go-to party snacks when I want something fun, flavorful, and super easy to throw together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
I love how simple these are to put together—just mix, roll, slice, and bake! Here’s how to make them step by step:
Mix the filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, crumbled cooked bacon, ranch seasoning, shredded Colby Jack cheese, and diced jalapenos. Mix until smooth and evenly blended—it should look creamy with little pops of green and bacon.
Roll out the puff pastry
Gently unroll one sheet of puff pastry dough onto a clean surface. If it’s too stiff, let it sit at room temp for a few minutes. Brush a little olive oil over the surface to help everything bake up golden and crisp.
Spread and roll
Use a spatula to spread the cream cheese mixture all over the pastry, making sure it reaches the edges. Carefully roll the pastry into a tight log. A little mess is totally normal here!
Chill the log
Pop the rolled log in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This makes it much easier to slice without squishing the filling.
Slice into pinwheels
Once chilled, slice the log into 8 even pieces and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave space between each one so they have room to puff up in the oven.
Brush and bake
Brush the sides of each pinwheel with a bit more olive oil. Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Let them cool slightly
Let them cool for a few minutes before serving—just enough so nobody scorches their tongue trying to be first in line.
Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4 pieces cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2 jalapeños seeded and diced
- 1 (13.2 ounces) sheet puff pastry dough
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, crumbled bacon, ranch seasoning, shredded Colby Jack cheese, and diced jalapeños. Mix until well blended.8 ounces cream cheese, 4 pieces cooked bacon, 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning, 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, 2 jalapeños
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a clean surface and brush it with olive oil.1 (13.2 ounces) sheet puff pastry dough, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the entire surface of the pastry. Roll the pastry into a log, then place it in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the chilled pastry from the freezer and slice it into 8 equal pinwheels. Arrange them on the baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Brush the sides of the pinwheels with olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Soft cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it mixes easily.
- Protect your eyes: Use gloves when chopping jalapenos—trust me, your eyes will thank you later.
- Cheese: You can use sharp cheddar cheese or even pepper jack instead of Colby Jack if you want more heat.
- Tortillas: You can swap puff pastry for tortillas, but the texture will be softer and more like a wrap than a flaky pastry.
- Make ahead: Prep, roll, and chill the log, then slice and bake when ready to serve.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: If there are any leftovers, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, place in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warm and crisp. Microwaving is an option too, but the puff pastry won’t stay as flaky.
- Freeze: If you’re wanting to freeze them for later, freeze in a sealed container after baking, then reheat in the oven or air fryer until hot and crispy.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Tips
I’ve made these jalapeno popper pinwheels more times than I can count, so here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way:
- Soft cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it mixes easily.
- Protect your eyes: Use gloves when chopping jalapenos—trust me, your eyes will thank you later.
- Cheese: You can use sharp cheddar cheese or even pepper jack instead of Colby Jack if you want more heat.
- Tortillas: You can swap puff pastry for tortillas, but the texture will be softer and more like a wrap than a flaky pastry.
- Make ahead: Prep, roll, and chill the log, then slice and bake when ready to serve.
How to Store Leftover Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
If there are any leftovers, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warm and crisp. Microwaving is an option too, but the puff pastry won’t stay as flaky.
If you’re wanting to freeze them for later, freeze in a sealed container after baking, then reheat in the oven or air fryer until hot and crispy.
What to Serve With Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
These pinwheels are flavorful on their own, but they’re even better with something cool and creamy on the side. Serve them with ranch dressing, sour cream, Million dollar dip, or your favorite dipping sauce.
They also pair great with a fresh veggie platter, a bowl of chili, or other bite-sized snacks like chicken tempura, sausage balls, or buffalo chicken rolls if you’re building a full appetizer spread.
More Appetizer Recipes You Will Love
I love having a few go-to appetizers and snacks in my back pocket, and these are always a hit too:
