Description
Cheesy Sausage Pinwheels are delicious, bite-sized appetizers made with savory breakfast sausage, creamy cheese, and flaky crescent roll or puff pastry dough. Perfect for parties, game days, or family gatherings, these pinwheels are easy to prepare and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pinwheels
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (1 sheet) refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry
For Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Additional shredded cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the pinwheels evenly and to a perfect golden brown.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula while cooking. Once cooked, drain any excess grease. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Prepare the Dough: If using crescent roll dough, unroll it and press the seams together to form a single rectangular sheet. If using puff pastry, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness for an even base.
- Assemble the Pinwheels: Evenly spread the sausage and cheese filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Starting from one edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, ensuring the filling stays inside. Use a sharp knife to slice the roll into 1-inch thick pinwheels.
- Bake the Pinwheels: Arrange the pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If desired, sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pinwheels turn golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the pinwheels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy these savory and cheesy appetizers!
Notes
- You can prepare the pinwheels up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking.
- These pinwheels can be frozen before baking for up to 2 months; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Try different cheeses such as pepper jack for spice or feta for tanginess to customize flavor.
- Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach into the filling for added nutrition and taste.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or spicy mustard for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheesy sausage pinwheels, sausage appetizers, party appetizers, finger foods, cheesy appetizers, crescent roll recipes
