Description
These Jalapeño & Cheese Pinwheels are a delightful savory snack featuring a blend of soft cheese, red Leicester, and pickled jalapeños rolled in flaky puff pastry. Perfectly spiced with optional hot sauce and baked until golden and puffed, they make an ideal appetizer or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Filling
- 150g soft cheese
- 3 cheese slices, cut into small chunks
- 125g red leicester cheese, coarsely grated
- 50g pickled jalapeños, roughly chopped
- Few shakes of hot sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to season
Pastry
- 320g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the soft cheese, chopped cheese slices, grated red Leicester, chopped pickled jalapeños, and optional hot sauce. Season the mixture well with salt and pepper, then set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the Pinwheels: Unroll the ready-rolled puff pastry sheet on a clean surface, then evenly spread the cheese and jalapeño mixture over the pastry right up to the edges. Carefully roll the pastry up tightly from the longer side to form a spiral log.
- Slice and Chill: Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled pastry into 12 equal pinwheel pieces. Place the pinwheels on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, spacing them well apart. Chill the tray in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to help the pinwheels hold their shape while baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6, ensuring it reaches temperature before baking the pinwheels.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the tops of the pinwheels with the beaten egg to create a glossy, golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the pinwheels are golden brown, puffed up, and risen.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pinwheels from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes. Serve warm as a tasty snack or party appetizer.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of pickled jalapeños or add more hot sauce.
- Make sure the puff pastry is chilled before slicing and baking to prevent the pinwheels from losing shape.
- You can substitute the red Leicester with mature cheddar if preferred.
- Serve with a cooling dip like sour cream or guacamole for balance.
- These pinwheels can be prepared in advance, frozen before baking, and baked directly from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: Jalapeño pinwheels, cheese pinwheels, puff pastry snacks, spicy appetizers, party food
