For a fun snack or appetizer, these incredible Creamy Ranch Pinwheels are super easy to make and packed with flavor! They include roasted red peppers for a delicious finger food that's fun to eat.
With no heat required, this dish is perfect to make during the summer when you're craving something tasty but don't want to turn on the oven. Roll up these homemade tortilla pinwheels and please any crowd for any occasion!
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🩵 About This Recipe
For a fun and unique snack or appetizer, these super easy tortilla pinwheels come together in minutes! Filled with cream cheese, roasted red peppers, and lots of ranch flavor, these are great for a finger food appetizer or after school snack.
Perfect to customize to your liking, these tortilla pinwheels will become a go-to snack when you need something tasty and filling that won't take forever to prep!
And if you love this recipe, you can also learn How to Make Ranch Dressing and try my Black Bean Ranch Tuna Salad as another wrap or pinwheel filling!
What readers are saying...
Love this, Kristin. I always love a recipe that doesn't involve heating up the whole house, especially during the summer.
- Mariam
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- roasted red peppers - buying jarred red peppers helps cut down on prep time.
- black olives - add saltiness to balance the creaminess of the filling.
- whipped cream cheese - you can use regular cream cheese as well, but whipped will give you a lighter and airier filling.
- ranch dressing mix - buy at the store or make this Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix!
- Parmesan cheese - for flavor and texture.
- coleslaw mix - adds some filling heartiness and some crunchy texture.
- tortillas - act as the wrap that holds everything together.
🔪 Let's Make Ranch Pinwheels!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Chop
Cut the olive and red peppers into smaller pieces.
Start Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine peppers and olives with cream cheese, ranch mix, and Parmesan cheese.
Finish Filling
Fold in the coleslaw mix to the filling mixture.
Assemble Pinwheels
Add a scoop of filling to each tortilla.
Roll
Wrap each filled tortilla as tightly as possible.
Slice Pinwheels
Refrigerate the tortilla pinwheels for at least an hour, then slice into rounds and serve.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you find the filling is hard to work with, allow the cream cheese to come close to room temperature.
- You'll want to chill the pinwheels for at least an hour in the fridge, but they can be left overnight as well.
- Use a super sharp knife to avoid squishing the pinwheels. A serrated knife is even better!
❔ FAQs
This name comes from the way these snacks are wrapped up into a spiral, giving them a swirled appearance similar to pinwheels!
If your filling is too warm or too liquidy, you'll likely end up with slightly soggy tortillas. Try to drain off any excess liquid and keep things somewhat cold as you're making your pinwheels.
You can make them the night before and store in the fridge. You may even want to hold off on slicing the pinwheels until just before serving.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of or in addition to the coleslaw mix, add spinach, romaine lettuce, or shredded carrots.
- Make your ranch pinwheels extra flavorful by adding some bacon bits.
- A flavored tortilla (spinach or tomato basil are both popular) works great for these ranch pinwheels!
- Switch up the flavors by using onion soup mix or taco seasoning instead of the ranch mix.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Don't skip the chilling phase! This will make it so the pinwheels are easy to slice. If you don't chill first, the tortillas might just squish down instead of slicing right through.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover cream cheese pinwheels, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or so. They can be eaten cold, or allow them to come up to room temperature.
I don't recommend freezing your ranch pinwheels - the cream cheese won't do well freezing and thawing.
Keep It Handy
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🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
These ranch pinwheels are amazing for lunchboxes, party trays, or simple make-ahead snacks! You can pair them with even more ranch or some salsa for dipping, or pair them with a fruit salad!
😋 More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
- Loaded Tater Tots Appetizer - A filling and savory appetizer that's great for sharing!
- Cheesy Steak Quesadillas - Fantastic for a hearty snack or quick and easy main course.
- Crispy Baked Eggplant Rounds - Simple but elegant, these are great for parties or gatherings.
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Skewers - This recipe from JZ Eats results in tender, juicy chicken with a bold and zesty sauce!
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Easy Cream Cheese Pinwheels
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📋 Recipe Card
Creamy Ranch Pinwheels with Roasted Red Peppers
Ingredients
- 12 ounces roasted red peppers (1 jar, drained and patted dry)
- 3.8 ounces black olives (1 can, drained)
- 12 ounces whipped cream cheese
- 1 ounce ranch dressing mix (1 packet)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups cole slaw mix
- 4 10-inch flour tortillas
Instructions
- Roughly chop the roasted red peppers and olives.3.8 ounces black olives, 12 ounces roasted red peppers
- In a medium bowl, combine cream the cheese, ranch dressing mix, Parmesan cheese, chopped red peppers, and chopped olives.12 ounces whipped cream cheese, 1 ounce ranch dressing mix, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fold in the cole slaw mix.1.5 cups cole slaw mix
- Spread the cream cheese filling over the tortillas. Roll each tortilla as tightly as possible.4 10-inch flour tortillas
- Wrap each tortilla in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1-2 hours (longer is better).
- When ready to serve, remove the plastic and use a sharp knife to slice the rolled tortillas into rounds.
Notes
- Use room-temperature whipped cream cheese for easier mixing.
- Refrigerating the wrapped tortillas before slicing helps them hold their shape-longer chilling (up to overnight) is even better.
- Use a sharp serrated knife to slice without squishing the pinwheels.
- Swap cole slaw mix with finely chopped spinach, shredded carrots, or chopped romaine.
- Add chopped cooked bacon for extra savory flavor.
- Use a flavored tortilla (like spinach or tomato basil) for a fun visual and flavor boost.
- Substitute ranch dressing mix with onion soup mix or taco seasoning for a different twist.
- Perfect for party trays, lunchboxes, or make-ahead snacks.
- Serve with a side of ranch or salsa for dipping.
- Pair with fresh fruit or a simple side salad for a complete lunch.
- Skewer individual pinwheels with toothpicks for easy serving at gatherings.
- If desired, you can just slice the rolled tortilla in half and eat it like a wrap instead of slicing it into pinwheels.
- Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Avoid freezing-cream cheese changes texture when frozen and thawed.
- If prepping ahead, slice right before serving to keep the edges fresh.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2016, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in June 2025.
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Elizabeth @ Guilty Chocoholic Mama says
Um...YUM! These pinwheels look amazing even at 8 a.m.! To say nothing of all the other recipe links you've dangled in front of me this morning. 😉 Pinning, pronto. Stopping by from the #ShineBlogHop!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Sounds & Looks so good! Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party. Shared See you again soon.
Frugal Hausfrau says
What a fun recipe! I can't think of anyone that wouldn't like these! Thanks for bringing these to Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
mistie says
These look delicious! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
These pinwheels look delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe at Craft Frenzy Friday on Mom Home Guide!