Red Pesto Pastry Pinwheels

These puff pastry pinwheels are the perfect 5 ingredient appetiser, ideal for parties, picnics or last minute guests. These pinwheels show you that easy doesn't need to be boring.

With this easy puff pastry appetiser recipe you can transform a sheet of store-bought puff pastry into beautiful savoury swirls bursting with Mediterranean flavour.

Recipe ingredients

• Pastry - for ease I always use a sheet of ready rolled puff pastry as you just need to roll it out, its the perfect size. If you are using a block of puff pastry, roll it out, but not too thin as you want it to hold shape when it's rolled. For gluten free diners you can use gluten free puff pastry.
• Pesto - I used a jar of red pepper pesto.
• Cheese - I used a ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, draining the water off and grating the cheese roughly.
• Fresh herbs - I added a handful of freshly shredded basil leaves for extra flavour.
• Seasoning - I seasoned the pinwheels with some freshly ground black pepper.

How to make pesto pastry pinwheels

• Line a large baking sheet with a silicone liner or baking parchment.
• Unroll the sheet of puff pastry leaving it on the greaseproof paper it comes rolled up in.
• Spread the red pepper pesto across the roll of puff pastry, covering most of the pastry and leaving just a small amount clear at one of the short ends of the sheet.
• Scatter the grated mozzarella cheese and shredded basil leaves over the top of the pesto in an even layer. Season with freshly ground black pepper.

• Brush some water onto the exposed piece of pastry at the short end. The water will help the pastry stick once rolled up.
• Starting at the other short end, carefully roll up the pastry. Don't press down too hard or the filling will spill out. When completely rolled up, stick the wet end of pastry to the roll.
• Now roll the pastry up in the greaseproof paper and place in the fridge to firm up for 30 minutes.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 180CFan/200C/375F.
• Remove the pastry roll from the fridge just before baking. Discard the paper, and using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 12 even sized pieces. Place each piece flat on the lined baked sheet.

• Place the baking sheet into the hot oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• When baked remove from the oven and place each pinwheel onto a wire rack. Cool for 10 minutes to allow the pinwheels to set, before serving.

Recipe variations

• Pastry - I always use puff pastry when making pinwheels, filo is too thin and shortcrust is too crumbly. If you need to use gluten free, look for a roll of gluten free puff pastry.
• Pesto - you could also use sundried tomato pesto or regular basil pesto if you prefer. I've used a jar of pesto, but you can use homemade pesto if you prefer.
• Cheese - I've used a ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, but you could use ready grated mozzarella cheese, or any other cheese like cheddar, provolone or Parmesan.
• Fresh herbs - use any variety of soft herb in this recipe basil, chives, oregano, tarragon or thyme.
• Dry spices - you can add in extra flavour with dried herbs and spices, try dried oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, chilli powder, Italian seasoning.
• Meat - add some thinly sliced meats, try parma ham, prosciutto, salami or chorizo.

Serving suggestions

These puff pastry pinwheels are best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven. They make a great snack, or use them as a buffet style party snack.

Useful hints and tips

1. Get creative with the filling, try other flavours and ingredients, just avoid anything too liquid/watery as the pastry will become soggy.
2. Don't overfill the pastry, otherwise the pastry won't roll up properly and the filling will spill out. You want the spiral shape to hold when the roll of filled pastry is cut into slices.
3. For coeliacs or gluten free diners swap the regular puff pastry for a ready-made gluten free pastry.
4. Allergy advice: soya free and nut free. For comprehensive and detailed allergy advice go to Allergy UK.

FAQs

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Additional recipe suggestions

If you like this recipe then try some of my other easy appetiser recipes:

• Spanish Chicken Chorizo Croquettes
• Potato & Cheese Croquettes
• Spiced Pork Bonbons
• Cocktail Sausages - 3 ways
• Baked Camembert with toppings
• Spiced Almonds
• Salt & Vinegar Nuts