Description
These Jalapeño & Cheese Pinwheels are a delightful snack featuring a flaky puff pastry filled with a flavorful blend of soft cheese, cheddar varieties, and spicy pickled jalapeños. Perfect for parties or a savory treat, they bake to golden, crispy perfection with a subtle kick of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Filling
- 150g soft cheese
- 3 cheese slices, cut into small chunks
- 125g red Leicester cheese, coarsely grated
- 50g pickled jalapeños, roughly chopped
- Few shakes of hot sauce (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pastry
- 320g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet
- 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the soft cheese, chopped cheese slices, grated red Leicester, and roughly chopped pickled jalapeños. Add a few shakes of hot sauce if desired. Season the mixture generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble the pinwheels: Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a clean surface. Evenly spread the cheese and jalapeño mixture over the pastry, covering it right up to the edges. Starting from one of the longer sides, carefully roll the pastry into a tight spiral.
- Slice and chill: Cut the rolled pastry into 12 equal slices, forming pinwheels. Place the pinwheels on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, spacing them well apart. Chill them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to help maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake the pinwheels: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6). Brush the tops of the pinwheels with the beaten egg to achieve a golden finish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the pastry is puffed, golden, and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the pinwheels to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes after baking. Serve warm as a delicious snack or appetizer.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of jalapeños and hot sauce to control the spiciness level.
- Be sure to chill the pinwheels before baking to help maintain their shape and ensure even puffing.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture; they can be reheated gently in the oven if needed.
- Use good-quality puff pastry for a light, flaky texture.
- These pinwheels can be made ahead and frozen before baking; bake straight from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: jalapeño pinwheels, cheese pinwheels, puff pastry snack, party appetizer, spicy snack
