Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels [VIDEO]

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels are the ultimate party appetizers, and they can be assembled in less than 20 minutes. Loaded with bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch, these crack chicken pinwheels are flavorful and guaranteed to be your favorite finger food.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels are probably one of the quickest and easiest appetizers you can make. With only a few ingredients and less than 20 minutes at your disposal, you can have the most delicious roll-ups.

Additionally, they are a great crowd pleaser and ideal for a game day. The best part is that you do not have to use the oven. Simply use some rotisserie chicken, spread some cream cheese and cheddar cheese over the flour tortilla, and roll them up. It’s that simple!

My family loves pinwheels as they can be filled with various flavors. Also, they are cute little appetizers that a perfect for lunch boxes. Kids and adults love them equally. My son is a picky eater, but every time I pack him these pinwheels, he is very happy!

Why you will love this recipe

• It’s quick and easy: For a snack or appetizer at the last minute, mash up the ingredients and spread it on tortillas to make rollups that will please everyone.
• Make it how you like: If you have someone who doesn’t like bacon, leave it out or replace it with something else. Or if you don’t have any cheddar, use mozzarella or whatever you do have.
• The kids can help: This is one of those easy recipes that you can let the kids make. You can supervise and do the cutting.
• They’re so delicious: These have been called “crack” pinwheels because they are so addictive. They really are delicious.

What you’ll need to make bacon cheddar ranch pinwheels

Special items:

• Large bowl – For mixing the filling.
• Sharp knife – To cut the pinwheels.

Ingredients:

• Rotisserie chicken – I love rotisserie chicken. No matter how you season it, cooking it this way yields tender and juicy meat. I suppose that is because of how it is cooked.
• Cream cheese—You can use light or fat-free cream cheese, but make sure it is softened to room temperature. Otherwise, it will be hard to combine with everything else, and you may end up with little globs of cream cheese that did not get incorporated.
• Ranch dressing – My kids are hooked on ranch dressing. They use it for everything from sandwiches and salads to pizza and eggs. This creamy condiment is always the number one choice for making pinwheels at my house.
• Cheddar cheese—My family prefers cheddar cheese, but you can use whatever you like. Whatever you choose, shred it yourself for the best flavor.
• Bacon—Freshly cooked, cooled, and patted dry, bacon can be chopped or crumbled to mix into the filling or left in big chunks for meat lovers.
• Green onions – Chives will also do fine. Either way, they add a tiny little kick to every bite.
• Tortillas – You can use six small or three large tortillas. I prefer flour tortillas for this recipe because they have a mild flavor that does not overpower the filling. However, you can use corn tortillas if you like them better.

How to make bacon cheddar ranch pinwheels?

1. Shred the chicken: Before you start, shred the chicken using two forks or a shredder.
2. Mix it up: Now, add the shredded chicken, ranch, and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl with the cheddar, bacon, and green onions. Mix well.
3. Spread and roll: Spread a thick layer of filling onto each tortilla and roll them tightly.
4. Slice and serve: After, slice into one-inch pieces with a sharp knife.

Expert tip

Chilled or warm

You can make these bacon cheddar ranch pinwheels either way, but I prefer them chilled. Not only do they stay together better, but you will not have to worry about them getting cold before you serve them. As a cold dish, the filling is a little bit chunky because the cheese is not melted, and it helps you taste every flavor in each bite.

However, if you warm these up a bit, just for the cheese to melt, you get a whole other taste experience. The gooey cheese adds a different texture and flavor. Also, when you warm up ranch dressing, it has a different taste. I prefer it cold, but my husband says when it is warm, it tastes creamier.

Heating your pinwheels is easy, too. You could put them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake them at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. The edges of the tortillas get a little bit brown and even a bit crispy, turning this dish into something completely different. In fact, you can turn this snack or appetizer into a full meal by baking it.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different meat: Instead of chicken, try turkey, pork, or beef. It doesn’t have to be shredded, either. You could chop it up or use deli meat.
• Add veggies: To make this an even more substantial snack, add some other veggies, such as chopped bell peppers or tomatoes, minced onions, or shredded lettuce and carrots.
• Make them spicy: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper in the filling for spicy pinwheels.
• Add some crunch: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for some crunchiness.

Serving suggestions:

These versatile pinwheels go with everything. Try one of these fun ideas.

• Looking to make more appetizers for game day, serve these pinwheels with spinach artichoke dip and bacon wrapped shrimp with brown sugar.
• Instead of slicing them into pinwheels, serve them as wraps with refried beans and salsa.
• Take these to your next family picnic in the park along with some crispy air fried chicken and a refreshing cucumber salad.
• These would also be delicious with some soup or a salad. Try serving them with my homemade tomato soup.
• Place them on a serving platter shaped like a Christmas tree for the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to roll pinwheels?

First, make sure your ingredients are softened to room temperature. Rolling cold cream cheese in a tortilla can cause it to break apart. Then, put the filling in the middle of the tortilla without getting too close to the edges. Fold the bottom and top edges over the filling and rotate before rolling it up from the bottom. Try to roll it tightly so it stays together.

Why are my pinwheels falling apart?

It could be that you did not wrap them tight enough or mix the ingredients smoothly enough, or that there was not enough cream cheese. One way to make sure is to use a food processor to mix it all. You could also try chilling them for about an hour before slicing them. If all this doesn’t work, use toothpicks to make sure they stay together. Just remember to tell guests to remove the toothpicks before eating them.

Can you bake bacon cheddar ranch pinwheels?

Baking these bacon cheddar ranch pinwheels would be incredible. The cheese gets all melty, so it helps stick everything together. And the warm ranch and cream cheese taste completely different when warm. All you have to do is place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake them for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. The edges of your tortillas should be lightly browned and crispy.

How do I keep pinwheels from getting soggy?

Do not add too much ranch; your bacon cheddar ranch pinwheels may get soggy when you eat them. Also, do not make them until you are ready to serve them. And chill them well. The longer they sit at room temperature, the soggier they will be. When ready to serve them, place them on a tray with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. If they go into a lunch, wrap them in plastic or foil first.

How to store:

• Making in advance: If you decided to make the roll-ups in advance, make sure to wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate before serving. It’s best to refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. Do not cut the tortilla roll-up when refrigerating. When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator, slice, and serve.
• Refrigerate: Slice only the number of pinwheels you need. Then, wrap them while they are still rolled and put them in the fridge in an airtight container. You can also place them on a paper towel in a container. They will stay fresh for two days, but they may get soggy. 
• Freezing: To freeze, wrap them in plastic, put them in a freezer bag, and freeze them for up to three months.   
• Defrost: Thaw overnight in your refrigerator for the best texture and taste.

More appetizers to try:

Recipe tips:

• You can use a food processor or chopper to shred your chicken faster and easier.
• Putting each pinwheel into its plastic baggie will keep them from getting soggy in a lunchbox.
• Place a paper towel or napkin in your lunchbox to prevent condensation.
• Chill your tortilla rolls for about an hour before slicing. If you are not serving them immediately, keep them refrigerated, and do not slice them until you are ready to serve them.
• Do not leave pinwheels at room temperature for more than two hours, or they can grow bacteria.