Get ready to wow your friends and family with Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese! This irresistible appetizer rolls together tangy feta, creamy cheese, sweet cranberries, and fresh green onions in a soft tortilla, creating a colorful bite that’s bursting with flavor and festive cheer. Perfect for parties, holidays, or even just a fun snack, these pinwheels look stunning on a platter and taste even better — trust me, nobody will be able to eat just one!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese is how a handful of simple, straightforward ingredients can create such a striking and tasty result. Each ingredient is picked for a reason, and together they build a snack that’s creamy, tangy, sweet, and delightfully savory all at once.
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces, softened): This is your deliciously creamy base that holds the pinwheels together, so make sure it’s softened for easy mixing and spreading.
- Dried Cranberries (½ cup): Tiny jewels of sweetness and color — they offer just the right pop with every bite.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese (½ cup): This tangy, salty cheese balances the sweet cranberries and adds a pleasant texture contrast.
- Chopped Green Onions (¼ cup): Fresh, zesty, and vibrant, green onions introduce the perfect burst of flavor and color.
- Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon): Just a pinch brings a savory depth that ties all the flavors together.
- Dried Parsley (1 teaspoon): This brings a subtle herbal note and a touch of green that looks lovely in the filling.
- Large Flour Tortillas (4, 10-inch size): Soft, pliable, and perfect for rolling — the canvas for your pinwheel masterpiece.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Grab a medium mixing bowl and combine the softened cream cheese, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, chopped green onions, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Using a sturdy spoon or spatula, mix everything together until it’s beautifully creamy and the extras are evenly distributed. This is the flavorful star of these Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese, so make sure everything is well blended.
Step 2: Spread the Mixture
Lay out one of your flour tortillas on a clean, flat surface. Scoop out roughly a quarter of the cream cheese mixture and spread it all the way to the edges. Taking it edge to edge is a little trick for perfectly rolled pinwheels, ensuring every slice is full of filling.
Step 3: Roll It Up
Starting from one edge, gently roll the tortilla up as tightly as you can without squeezing out any filling. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling. These logs turn into bite-sized spirals after chilling — but keep them snug and as even as possible for the prettiest results.
Step 4: Chill and Set
Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap. Pop them in the refrigerator for at least one hour — this step helps set the filling and makes slicing much easier (and less messy). Letting them chill overnight is totally fine and a life-saver if you like to prep ahead!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, unwrap each roll and use a sharp knife to slice into 1-inch pinwheels. Arrange your Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese on a platter and get ready for the compliments to roll in!
How to Serve Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
Garnishes
For a party-perfect platter, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or a few extra chopped green onions over the pinwheels once they’re arranged. If you really want to accent those festive vibes, add a light scattering of extra dried cranberries for a jewel-toned touch that catches the eye.
Side Dishes
These pinwheels are super versatile and pair brilliantly with crisp veggie platters, a simple winter fruit salad, or even a bowl of classic tomato soup. They’re also delicious next to nutty holiday snack mixes or alongside other crowd-pleasing appetizers.
Creative Ways to Present
Unleash your inner entertainer! Pile the Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese in a circular pattern for a wreath effect, alternate them with green-tinted pinwheels (try spinach tortillas for color), or add festive toothpicks for easy grabbing. They also stack beautifully on tiered trays for buffets and holiday spreads.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and tasty for up to three days — just be sure to keep them chilled to preserve the creamy texture and vibrant flavors.
Freezing
If you want to make these Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese even further ahead, the whole rolled (uncut) tortillas can be wrapped tightly in plastic and foil, then frozen for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing and serving for best texture.
Reheating
No reheating required! These pinwheels are meant to be served chilled or at room temperature, which makes them the ultimate make-ahead party snack. If they’ve gotten really cold in the fridge, just let them sit out for a few minutes before serving and they’ll be perfect.
FAQs
Can I use a different cheese instead of feta?
Absolutely! While feta brings a distinctive tang that pairs perfectly with cranberries, you can switch things up with goat cheese, blue cheese, or even shredded sharp cheddar for a new flavor twist.
What’s the best way to get even slices?
For the neatest pinwheels, use a very sharp serrated knife and clean it between cuts. Chilling the rolls thoroughly beforehand is the secret to clean edges and perfectly round slices.
Can I make these Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute your favorite gluten-free tortillas and make sure your other ingredients (especially the feta and cream cheese) are gluten-free — it’s that easy to make this appetizer suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
Should I let the pinwheels come to room temperature before serving?
They’re delicious both chilled and just slightly below room temperature! If you want a creamier texture, let them sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving, but don’t leave them too long to keep them safe and fresh.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds add a beautiful crunch, while a handful of fresh chopped herbs or a sprinkle of black pepper can make the flavors even more interesting and unique.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese before, you’re in for a treat! They’re easy, make-ahead friendly, and guaranteed to brighten any table, no matter the occasion. Don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you expect — so go ahead and make a double batch, just in case!
Print
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 pinwheels (approx.) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cranberry Feta Pinwheels with Cream Cheese are a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for any occasion. Creamy, tangy, and sweet, these pinwheels are sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Additional:
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, green onions, garlic powder, and parsley. Mix until evenly combined.
- Assemble Pinwheels: Spread ¼ of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly into logs.
- Chill and Slice: Wrap the rolled tortillas in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Unwrap and slice into 1-inch pinwheels. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a festive twist, use spinach or sun-dried tomato tortillas.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- To make ahead, refrigerate the rolled tortillas overnight before slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
