Description
Mouthwatering pepperoni pinwheels deliver a zesty Italian-inspired appetizer perfect for parties. Crisp puff pastry rolls filled with spicy pepperoni and melted cheese promise quick satisfaction for hungry guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought, thawed)
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 g (1.5 oz) pepperoni slices
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) marinara or pizza sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Gently unfurl refrigerated pizza dough onto a lightly dusted surface, stretching into a uniform rectangular canvas for pinwheel assembly.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Smoothly spread cream cheese across the entire dough surface, creating a luxurious, creamy foundation for subsequent ingredients.
- Protein and Cheese Assembly: Meticulously arrange pepperoni slices in an overlapping pattern, then generously scatter mozzarella cheese to ensure maximum flavor intensity.
- Rolling Technique: Tightly roll the dough from the elongated edge, forming a compact spiral that encapsulates all ingredients in a perfect cylindrical shape.
- Precision Cutting: Utilize a razor-sharp knife to slice the rolled dough into uniform 1-inch medallions, revealing an elegant pinwheel cross-section.
- Baking Preparation: Position pinwheel slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining slight separation to promote even heat circulation and crisp edges.
- Egg Wash Finish: Delicately brush pinwheel tops with beaten egg, guaranteeing a lustrous, golden-brown exterior during the baking process.
- Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated oven until edges transform to a crisp golden hue and cheese melts into bubbling perfection.
- Serving Technique: Allow pinwheels to rest briefly after removing from oven, enabling filling stabilization and preventing potential mouth-scorching moments.
Notes
- Prevent Dough Sticking: Liberally flour your work surface and rolling pin to ensure smooth dough handling and easy rolling without tearing.
- Cheese Distribution Technique: Layer cream cheese and mozzarella evenly to guarantee consistent flavor and melting in every pinwheel slice.
- Slice Uniformity Trick: Use a serrated knife or dental floss for clean, precise cuts that maintain the pinwheel’s beautiful spiral pattern without crushing the delicate dough.
- Dietary Modification Options: Substitute regular pepperoni with turkey pepperoni for lower-fat version, or use gluten-free pizza dough and vegetarian pepperoni alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg