Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are an easy, make ahead party appetizer built on a cream cheese base swirled with sweet dried cranberries, salty feta, and green onion. Everything gets rolled up in a flour tortilla, chilled until firm, then sliced into neat little bites. No oven needed, just a mixing bowl and a sharp knife.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Yummy Bowl.
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Recipe
A splash of orange juice loosens the cream cheese and adds a little brightness, so the filling is easy to spread and never tastes flat. The cranberry and green onion combination is what gives these their color and their balance, sweet against salty, with the feta tying it all together.
These are genuinely a make ahead recipe, roll and chill the tortillas up to a day before, then slice right before your guests arrive.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese - softened, this is the base the whole filling is built on.
- Orange juice - just a couple teaspoons, enough to loosen the cream cheese and add brightness.
- Dried cranberries and feta - the sweet and salty combination that makes these stand out.
- Green onions - some mixed into the filling, a little extra saved for garnish.
- Flour tortillas - large, about 10 inches, for enough filling in every roll.
Julia's Tip
Do not skip the chill time. A full hour in the fridge firms the filling enough that the rolls slice into clean, tight rounds instead of squishing out the sides.
If you are building out a holiday appetizer spread, my cold spinach dip with cream cheese is another easy make ahead option.
How To Make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels - Step By Step Photos
- Beat the softened cream cheese and orange juice together until smooth and well combined.
- Mix in the chopped green onions, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, and a pinch of black pepper.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the tortillas, almost to the edges, then roll each one up tightly.
- Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Unwrap and slice into about ½ inch rounds. Arrange cut side up on a platter and garnish with extra green onion.
For another easy holiday starter, my cranberry pecan cheeseball uses a similar sweet and salty combination.
Variations
- Add chopped pecans to the filling for extra crunch.
- Swap in a little fresh rosemary and shredded cheddar for a more savory, herby version.
- Use orange zest in place of the juice if you want a more concentrated citrus flavor without thinning the filling.
Can I Make Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Ahead Of Time?
Yes. Wrap the rolled tortillas tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before slicing. Slice them just before serving so the cut edges stay neat.
Why Add Orange Juice To The Cream Cheese?
It loosens the cream cheese so it spreads easily, and it adds a little brightness that balances the sweetness of the cranberries.
Can I Freeze Pinwheels?
Freezing is not recommended for this one. Cream cheese based fillings tend to turn grainy and watery once thawed, so these are best made ahead in the fridge rather than the freezer.
How To Store Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
- To Make Ahead. Wrap the whole rolled tortillas tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before slicing.
- To Store Leftovers. Keep sliced pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze. Not recommended, the cream cheese filling loses its texture once thawed.
More Party Appetizers You'll Love
Before You Head Out
If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️
Recipe Card
Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and orange juice until smooth and well combined.1 package cream cheese, 2-3 teaspoons orange juice
- Mix in the dried cranberries, crumbled feta, chopped green onions, and a pinch of black pepper until evenly combined.¾ cup dried cranberries, 1 cup feta cheese, ¼ cup green onions, black pepper
- Lay the tortillas on a clean work surface. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortillas, going almost all the way to the edges. Roll each tortilla up tightly.4 large flour tortillas
- Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This firms them up and makes them much easier to slice.
- Unwrap and cut each roll into about ½ inch slices. Arrange the pinwheels cut side up on a serving platter and garnish with a little extra chopped green onion.
Nutrition
Notes
- Make it ahead: wrap the rolled tortillas tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours before slicing, then cut and serve right before guests arrive.
- Do not skip the chill: at least 1 hour firms up the filling enough to slice clean rounds instead of squishing the roll.
- Save a little green onion for garnish: it adds a fresh pop of color on top of each slice.
- Storage: keep leftover sliced pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
You'll Also Love
Join TYB
Insider
Get access to exclusive recipes,
weekly meal plans, printable
grocery lists, and AD-FREE
browsing designed to make
mealtime easier.
Comments
No Comments