Description

Jalapeño Popper Bacon Pinwheels combine the classic spicy, creamy, and crispy flavors of jalapeño poppers with flaky puff pastry for a perfect game day appetizer. These easy-to-make pinwheels feature a blend of cream cheese, cheddar, chopped jalapeños, and crispy bacon, rolled into puff pastry and baked to golden perfection. Ideal for parties, they are a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with salads, veggies, ranch dip, chili, or a cheese and cured meat platter.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

Filling

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Additional

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Prepare the Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to smooth out any creases, creating an even surface for the filling.
Mix the Filling: In a bowl, thoroughly combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped seeded jalapeños, and crumbled bacon until evenly mixed.
Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the puff pastry sheet, leaving a small border all around to help seal the edges when rolled.
Roll the Pastry: Starting from one side, carefully roll the puff pastry into a tight log shape, encasing the filling within the pastry layers.
Slice the Log: Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled log into 1/2-inch thick pinwheel rounds and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each pinwheel with the beaten egg to promote a beautiful golden brown finish during baking.
Bake: Bake the pinwheels in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown on top.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the pinwheels to cool slightly before serving, making them easier to handle and enhancing flavor.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add chopped green onions or bell peppers.
To increase heat, leave some jalapeño seeds in the filling.
Try different cheeses like pepper jack or mozzarella for a varied flavor profile.
Add a tablespoon of honey to the cream cheese mixture for a touch of sweetness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Jalapeño Popper, Bacon Pinwheels, Puff Pastry, Appetizer, Game Day Snack, Spicy, Cheesy, Party Food