New Year’s Eve has always been my favorite holiday. It’s the perfect excuse for a fresh slate. New goals, new desires, and new accomplishments. Naturally, my obsession with the holiday has resulted in quite a few parties to ring in the new year, and these puff pastry pinwheels are my all-time favorite appetizer to serve.
With classic flavors like pesto and parmesan, these are an absolute crowd pleaser. They’re also endlessly customizable. All you need is a sheet of puff pastry (you can make it from scratch, but when hosting a party at the end of a long year, I find store bought to be the easiest option) and any fillings your heart desires. Consider tomato sauce and sausage for a heartier version or olive tapenade for an elevated twist.
These are buttery, cheesy, indulgent and the perfect thing to pair with a glass of champagne and eat while chatting with friends.
Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Serves
4
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- ½ cup shredded parmesan
- 2–3 tbsp pesto
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Red pepper flakes
- Balsamic glaze for topping
Steps
1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
Lightly roll puff pastry into a rectangle. Spread filling evenly, leaving a small border. Sprinkle cheese and red pepper flakes.
3
Starting from the long side, roll tightly into a log.
4
Refrigerate 15–20 minutes (this helps clean slicing).
5
Cut into ½-inch slices and place cut-side up on the baking sheet.
6
Brush lightly with egg wash. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden and puffed.
7
Top with balsamic glaze and enjoy.
Flavor Variations
- Cheese & Herb: Olive oil + parmesan + herbs
- Spinach & Feta: Spinach + feta + garlic
- Pesto & Mozzarella: Classic and kid-friendly
- Sweet: Cinnamon sugar + butter (skip egg wash)
Make-Ahead Tips
- Assemble and slice, then freeze unbaked pinwheels
- Bake straight from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes