Celebrate the holiday season with these Christmas Spinach Dip Pinwheels, an easy and elegant puff pastry appetizer that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. This irresistible recipe combines creamy spinach dip with flaky, golden puff pastry, creating bite-sized treats that are perfect for Christmas parties, family gatherings, and holiday buffets. If you’re looking for a festive recipe that’s simple, delicious, and guaranteed to impress your guests, these pinwheels are a must-try.
Made with everyday ingredients like spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan, and puff pastry, this holiday appetizer comes together quickly and requires little kitchen experience. The creamy spinach filling becomes perfectly rich and savory, while the pastry bakes up light, crisp, and beautifully golden. These easy Christmas appetizers are ideal for anyone who wants a reliable recipe that looks stunning on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
What makes these spinach dip pinwheels especially great for Christmas entertaining is their versatility. You can prepare the log ahead of time, chill it in the fridge, and simply slice and bake right before serving. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner, bringing a finger food platter to a Christmas potluck, or preparing snacks for a cozy night in, this make-ahead option ensures stress-free holiday cooking.
Perfectly festive, incredibly flavorful, and irresistibly easy, these pinwheels check all the boxes for a crowd-pleasing Christmas appetizer. Serve them warm out of the oven for maximum crispiness, pair them with your favorite dipping sauces, and watch them disappear in minutes. With this recipe, you’ll have a holiday hit that combines comfort, convenience, and classic Christmas flavors in every bite.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
1 bag frozen chopped spinach (10 oz) thaw it and squeeze the life out of it
1 block cream cheese (8 oz) leave it out so it’s nice and soft
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup mayo
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
pinch red pepper flakes if you want a little heat
1 sheet puff pastry thawed but still cold
1 egg for brushing
Step-by-Step Instructions For Christmas Spinach Dip Pinwheels
Instructions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and well blended. Make sure the spinach is completely dry—squeeze out every bit of excess moisture—then add it to the bowl and mix thoroughly until the filling looks perfectly uniform. A dry spinach mixture ensures crisp and flaky pastry later.
Lightly flour your work surface and gently roll out the puff pastry sheet to smooth the edges. Spread the spinach and cream cheese filling evenly over the pastry, leaving a small border along one of the long edges so the roll can seal properly. Starting from the opposite long side, roll the pastry tightly into a log, just like a jelly roll, making sure it holds its shape.
Wrap the puff pastry log in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Chilling the log helps the pastry firm up, making it much easier to slice cleanly. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature for puff pastry to rise and turn golden.
Remove the chilled log from the fridge and cut it into ½-inch slices using a sharp knife. Arrange the pinwheel slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water, then brush the tops of the pinwheels to help them bake to a shiny golden finish. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the pinwheels are puffed, crispy, and beautifully golden brown.
Notes (Helpful Tips)
The spinach must be completely dry — any excess moisture will prevent the puff pastry from becoming crisp and flaky.
Cold puff pastry puffs better, so avoid letting it warm up too much while preparing the filling.
Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the puff pastry log a day in advance. Keep it wrapped in the fridge, then slice and bake right before serving for a fresh, warm holiday appetizer.
Delicious Variations:
• Cheesy Spinach & Mozzarella Pinwheels:
For an extra-melty appetizer, add ½ cup of shredded mozzarella to the spinach mixture. The cheese melts beautifully inside the puff pastry, making the pinwheels even creamier and perfect for Christmas parties.
• Garlic Cream Spinach Pinwheels with Feta:
Replace half of the Parmesan with crumbled feta for a tangy Mediterranean twist. This variation adds bold flavor and pairs wonderfully with holiday dinner menus and festive spreads.
• Spicy Holiday Spinach Pinwheels:
If you love heat, mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or finely chopped jalapeños. The spicy contrast against the creamy filling makes this version an exciting snack for Christmas movie nights and holiday potlucks.
• Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels:
Turn this appetizer into a holiday classic by adding finely chopped artichoke hearts. This transforms the filling into a rich spinach-artichoke dip wrapped in flaky puff pastry—always a crowd favorite.
• Ham & Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels:
Layer thin slices of ham over the spinach mixture before rolling the pastry. This hearty variation is perfect for Christmas brunch, New Year’s appetizers, or anytime you want a more filling bite.
Practical Tips:
• Make sure the spinach is completely dry.
Excess moisture is the main reason puff pastry turns soggy. Squeeze the spinach several times until no liquid remains—this guarantees crispy, golden pinwheels every time.
• Keep the puff pastry cold for the best rise.
Warm pastry becomes sticky and won’t puff properly. Work quickly and refrigerate the log before slicing to maintain its perfect flaky texture.
• Use a sharp serrated knife for clean slices.
This prevents the filling from being crushed and ensures that each pinwheel keeps a neat, round shape, which is ideal for impressive Christmas appetizers.
• Prep ahead for stress-free holiday cooking.
You can assemble the entire log 24 hours in advance, wrap it tightly, and store it in the fridge. When guests arrive, simply slice and bake for a fresh, warm appetizer.
• Serve immediately for maximum crispiness.
Puff pastry is always best right out of the oven. If you need to reheat, use the oven instead of the microwave to maintain the flaky texture.
