Easy Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

These Easy Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels are everything you love about the classic appetizer, rolled up into a super easy, totally addictive snack! With creamy cream cheese, crispy bacon, spicy jalapenos, and plenty of cheese, these pinwheels are always the first thing to disappear at any gathering.

Every time I bring these to a party, someone tells me they remind them of the jalapeno poppers they loved as a kid – but in a fun, easier-to-eat form that’s perfect for sharing!

I absolutely love how versatile these pinwheels are. They’re perfect for game day spreads, holiday parties, summer barbecues, or even kid’s lunchboxes (as long as they like spicy)!

The combination of creamy filling and soft tortillas makes them incredibly satisfying, while the bacon and jalapeños add that perfect savory kick that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy jalapeño popper pinwheels recipe:

• Cream Cheese: Use the block cream cheese for the best texture and flavor!
• Bacon: Crispy crumbled bacon adds a depth of savory flavor that goes well with the spicy peppers!
• Jalapeño: Fresh jalapeño is important here. If you are sensitive to spice, make sure to take out the seeds and white pith from the center before slicing into small cubes.
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds an extra layer of creamy flavor!
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These classic seasonings add depth without overpowering the other flavors.
• Burrito Tortillas: Large, soft burrito-size tortillas work best for rolling!

Substitutions & Additions

There are some easy substitutions and additions you can make, depending on your preferences:

• As a lighter option, you can swap normal cream cheese for light cream cheese if desired.
• Not a fan of bacon? Replace bacon with turkey bacon or diced ham, although classic bacon is more reminiscent of the classic jalapeno poppers flavor.
• For added protein, you can add some shredded chicken or even pulled pork to the cream cheese bacon filling. Just make sure not to add too much, so you can still roll the tortilla pinwheels up easily!
• If you like some extra heat, add in some pepper jack cheese along with the shredded cheddar, or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the cream cheese filling.
• For added color in the filling, add chopped green onions or fresh cilantro.
• Try different tortilla flavors like spinach or sun-dried tomato! Or, for gluten-free pinwheels, use your favorite gluten-free tortillas.
• Mix in a few tablespoons of ranch dressing seasoning for extra zip in the filling.

How to Make Easy Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

Making cream cheese jalapeno pinwheels is luckily pretty easy to do! Here are the steps you will follow for this appetizer recipe:

1. Beat Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add Filling Ingredients: Add the bacon, jalapeno, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Mix: Mix until well combined. I like to use a large spatula for this part.
4. Spread onto Tortillas: Spread this mixture onto the large tortillas, leaving about an inch around the edge of each tortilla, and roll them up tight.
5. Roll & Chill: Once all of the tortillas are rolled, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 4 hours if you aren’t ready to serve them quite yet.
6. Slice & Enjoy: Slice the rolled tortillas into bite size rounds and enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Let the cream cheese fully soften at room temperature for the smoothest cream cheese mixture filling. You’ll know it’s ready when you can easily press your finger into it with no resistance.
• Finely dice the jalapeños for easier rolling! Keeping the pieces small (about 1/8 inch) helps prevent tears in the tortillas and ensures even distribution of heat throughout each bite. Nobody likes a big mouthful of just hot peppers and nothing else!
• Don’t skip the chilling time – it helps the jalapeno popper pinwheels hold their shape. That hour in the refrigerator allows the cream cheese to firm back up, making it much easier to get clean slices without the filling squishing out.
• Use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for the prettiest slices. A clean, sharp blade prevents dragging and tearing, and wiping it off with a paper towel between every few cuts ensures each pinwheel looks picture-perfect!

Serving Suggestions

You can definitely serve these jalapeno popper roll ups on their own for lunch , or serve them with some dips and additional appetizers for a full spread! One of my favorite pairings is my creamy Corn Crack Dip, which complements these pinwheels perfectly with its sweet and spicy flavors.

For a fresh twist, try serving them alongside homemade Hatch Chile Salsa Verde or classic Pico de Gallo – the bright, zesty flavors balance out the richness of the cream cheese filling beautifully. If you’re hosting a bigger gathering, these pinwheels are fantastic as part of a larger spread that includes heartier options like BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos or White Queso Dip and chips!

And for true jalapeno lovers, why not go all out and serve your jalapeno popper pinwheels next to some Smoked Jalapeño Poppers? The combination of the cold pinwheels and hot poppers is seriously good!

Storing Leftover Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

Once sliced, your jalapeño popper tortilla roll-ups are best enjoyed within 4-6 hours, though they’ll keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container.

Just know the tortillas might soften a bit over time, so the texture may deteriorate the longer they are stored.

I don’t recommend freezing these as the texture of the cream cheese filling can become grainy when thawed.

More Easy Recipes to Try

• Meatball Sliders
• Buffalo Chicken Pizza
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
• Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
• Cheesy Puff Pastry Asparagus Bundles