Puff Pastry Pinwheel, the crowd pleasing appetiser

Introduction

A puff pastry pinwheel, also known simply as a “pinwheel,” is a delicious and versatile pastry made from puff pastry dough rolled into a spiral shape. It the perfect starter for entertaining, they literally scream, party party party!

To make puff pastry pinwheels, a sheet of puff pastry dough is typically spread with a filling. Then, the pastry is tightly rolled into a log, similar to a cinnamon roll or Swiss roll. The log is sliced into rounds, creating individual pinwheels, which are then placed on a baking sheet and baked until they puff up and turn golden brown. They look beautifully elegant once cooked.

I’m afraid I won’t be teaching you to make puff pastry, I’m far too lazy and also a busy mum of two! I buy the pre-made rolls from the supermarket. Do be careful to check the ingredients, as some of the major brands have alcohol content in them. I usually buy the supermarkets own brand, which tends to be halal.

The beauty of a puff pastry pinwheel, lies in their simplicity and adaptability. You can customise them with your favourite fillings, spices, or toppings to create a unique flavour that you and your family will love. Puff pastry pinwheels are sure to be a crowd pleaser at any dinner; I have to control my kids from binging on them when I make them!

My take on Puff Pastry Pinwheels

My puff pastry pinwheels are the ultimate quick and easy starter/ appetiser you can prepare for your next social event. They are quicker to make than my keema puff pastry. This is because there is no “filling” of the pastries to do. You literally just need to make up the mince chicken mixture. Next lay it out on the puff pastry sheet and sprinkle grated cheese on top. (Alternatively you can mix the grated cheese into the mince mixture once it has cooled and then lay it out onto the pastry). Next roll the pastry into a sausage shape and cut slices of the roll. You will then lay the slices on the round face, brush with egg wash and bake.

You can use any mince meat instead of chicken, whatever you prefer. Beef mince also works very well in this recipe too. I made these puff pastry pinwheels for the first time at my son’s birthday party and they were a hit with the children and adults a like! My son asked to them again the next day after his party. Definitely a sign of them being a hit, also seeing him inhale them was another clue!

You really can play around with the any filling for these pinwheels. However I love the combination of mince lamb and cheese, you really can’t go wrong. I’ve spiced my mince filling with traditional Pakistani spices. Sometimes I will add in harissa for more of an Arab inspired twist.

Freezing Puff Pastry Pinwheels

I love preparing these pinwheels for any social event. They are so easy to prepare in advance and freeze. They make another great starter you can prepare for Ramadan and your iftari (breaking the fast meal). You can freeze them for up to three months. When you want to eat them, take them straight from the freezer and spread them out on a baking tray (I use Scoville non stick roasting trays, as there’s no need for baking paper). Next brush them with egg wash and bake in the oven for 20 minutes on 180C heat, in a fan assisted oven.

I’m definitely going to be making these on a regular basis. I’m planning on making them for picnics in the summer. They transport very well in a picnic setting and make a nice alternative to sandwiches.

Conclusion

Savoury puff pastry pinwheels continue to be enjoyed as appetisers, snacks, or side dishes in modern cuisine. They are appreciated for their delicious flavour, flaky texture, and versatility. Whether served at parties, gatherings, or as part of a meal, these tasty treats are sure to impress and delight anyone who tries them.

See my video on Youtube, Instagram or TikTok to see how to make this dish!

Ingredients

Serves 6-8

Preparation- 7 minutes, cooking 15 minutes, baking 20 minutes (Total 42 minutes)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 500 grams mince chicken meat
• 1/2 onion finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons fresh coriander, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic finely chopped ( I use a mini food processor for speed)
• 1 teaspoon ginger finely chopped ( I use a mini food processor for speed)
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 3/4 tsp chilli flakes
• 3/4 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1tsp harissa – optional
• 100 grams grated cheddar cheese (or another other cheese you prefer)
• 2 rolls of puff pastry (shop bought)
• 1 egg, whisked in a bowl

Method for making Puff Pastry Pinwheels

1. In a saucepan, heat the oil and add the garlic and ginger and lightly brown.
2. Then add the chicken mince, coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli flakes, salt, black pepper (and harissa) and stir through until the mince is browned.
3. Once the chicken has cooled down, add the onion and fresh coriander and stir through. (You can mix the grated cheese at this point too.)

4. Next unroll a puff pastry sheet, put a layer of the chicken mince across the sheet, then add the grated cheese on top of the mince in another layer. (If you haven’t already added the mince at step 3).

5. Then roll the puff pastry lengthways, into a sausage shape. Make sure when rolling the puff pastry into a sausage shape, you firmly do this so the roll is as tight as possible. Otherwise when you cut the rounds, they won’t hold together well and give you the swirl effect when baked. 

6. Next cut rounds along the length of the puff pastry roll, about 1.5 inches wide.

7. Lay the rounds down on their circular face on a baking tray. Make sure you space the pinwheels apart, otherwise when they bake, they will expand and stick together. Then brush the top of the rounds with the egg wash and put it the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.

8. Serve immediately with my gorgeous tomato chutney or ketchup for the kids!