Imagine creamy, tangy, and sweet coming together in one delightful bite—now meet Cranberry Feta Pinwheels! This irresistible appetizer features a luscious blend of softened cream cheese, tart dried cranberries, briny feta, fresh green onions, and just a hint of garlic, all wrapped in a tender flour tortilla. The result? A colorful party snack that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious, perfect for holidays, potlucks, or anytime you want a fuss-free but unique treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Cranberry Feta Pinwheels lies in how just a few simple ingredients can deliver such a burst of flavor and texture. Each element plays a key role—so don’t skip any! From the creamy base to the sweet-tart cranberries and the zingy green onions, every bite is a little celebration.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): This forms the rich, silky base that holds everything together while lending creaminess.
- Dried cranberries (1 cup, chopped): These add a jewel-like pop of sweetness and vibrant color to every slice.
- Feta cheese (¾ cup, crumbled): Feta brings a salty, tangy punch that cuts through the sweetness of the cranberries beautifully.
- Green onions (¼ cup, chopped): Fresh and mild, they add just the right hint of onion flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.
- Garlic powder (¼ teaspoon): A subtle touch that pulls the flavors together and gives the filling a savory depth.
- Flour tortillas (4 large, 10-inch size): These soft, pliable wraps hold the filling perfectly and make slicing easy.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
Step 1: Mix the Filling
Begin by grabbing a medium mixing bowl and add your softened cream cheese, chopped cranberries, crumbled feta, chopped green onions, and garlic powder. Using a sturdy spatula or spoon, stir everything together until it forms a creamy, even mixture. The key is making sure everything is well distributed so every bite of your Cranberry Feta Pinwheels will have a balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.
Step 2: Spread on Tortillas
Lay out each flour tortilla on a clean flat surface. Using a butter knife or spatula, carefully spread a generous quarter of your cranberry feta filling over each one. Don’t go all the way to the edge—leave about a half-inch border to keep the filling from squeezing out when you roll them up.
Step 3: Roll Tightly and Wrap
Starting on one side, roll each tortilla up tightly but gently, making sure the filling stays inside and the roll is even. Once rolled, wrap each tortilla in plastic wrap. This helps keep the pinwheels moist and ensures they hold their shape when sliced later.
Step 4: Chill in the Refrigerator
Place the wrapped rolls in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Chilling firms up both the filling and the tortilla, making the Cranberry Feta Pinwheels much easier to slice cleanly. If you’re planning ahead, you can leave them overnight with fantastic results.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, unwrap each tortilla roll and use a sharp knife to slice them into 1-inch pinwheels. Arrange the colorful swirls on a platter and watch them become the star of your snack table!
How to Serve Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
Garnishes
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels look gorgeous on their own, but a sprinkle of extra chopped green onions or a few whole cranberries scattered over the platter can make them pop even more. For a bit more freshness, add a little chopped parsley or a light dusting of black pepper.
Side Dishes
These pinwheels are fantastic on an appetizer spread alongside crunchy veggie sticks, a crisp salad, or salty mixed nuts. They also pair nicely with a fruit platter, which highlights the sweet-tart cranberry accents in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Show off your Cranberry Feta Pinwheels by threading them onto skewers with fresh herbs, or arrange them in concentric circles on a round cutting board for some visual flair. If you’re feeling festive, fan them out in the shape of a wreath—perfect for holiday gatherings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Cranberry Feta Pinwheels (lucky you!), just pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to three days, making them great for easy-snack grazing.
Freezing
Need to make your pinwheels even further in advance? You can freeze the wrapped rolls whole before slicing. Simply thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight, then slice and serve as usual. The texture and flavor hold up beautifully, so you’ll never be caught off guard before a party.
Reheating
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are at their best served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If you prefer them slightly warmer, however, let them rest at room temp for about 20 minutes after removing from the fridge before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different cheese besides feta?
Absolutely! While feta gives the classic tangy flavor, goat cheese is a deliciously creamy alternative. Or try a mild blue cheese for a stronger bite—just crumble it well so it blends evenly into the filling.
Can I add nuts to these pinwheels?
Yes, and it’s delicious! Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and subtle nuttiness that balances the sweet cranberries and briny feta. Fold in about ¼ cup with the rest of your filling for best results.
What’s the best way to chop dried cranberries?
Dried cranberries can be sticky, so try tossing them with a teaspoon of flour before chopping to prevent clumping. Use a sharp knife, and aim for small, even pieces so every pinwheel gets a pop of cranberry flavor.
Can I make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels gluten-free?
Definitely! Just swap out the flour tortillas for your favorite gluten-free wraps or tortillas. The filling itself is naturally gluten-free, so you won’t be missing out on flavor.
How far in advance can I make these?
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are a dream for planners—they’re just as good (or even better) when made up to 24 hours ahead. Prepare, wrap, and chill; slice when you’re ready to serve. They’ll keep their fresh flavor and pretty swirl.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a sure-to-please, no-fuss appetizer that’s just a little bit unexpected, Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are your answer. They’re crowd-pleasingly delicious, vibrantly beautiful, and couldn’t be easier to make ahead. Give these a try for your next get-together—your platter just might be the first to disappear!
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Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling)
- Yield: 24 pinwheels 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are a delightful combination of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors rolled up in a convenient bite-sized form. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a make-ahead appetizer for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped cranberries, crumbled feta, green onions, and garlic powder.
- Lay out the tortillas and evenly spread the cranberry feta mixture over each, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Once chilled, slice into 1-inch pinwheels and serve.
Stir until well mixed.
Roll each tortilla tightly and wrap in plastic wrap.
Notes
- You can prepare these up to a day in advance—just keep them wrapped and refrigerated until ready to slice.
- For added flavor, try adding chopped pecans or a touch of orange zest.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pinwheels
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
