• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels

appetizer· sides· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
December 1, 2022

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels – Puff pastry is rolled up with cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese. They’re sliced into pinwheels and baked to perfection. Perfect as a snack or as a side dish for meals. Add chicken to make them a meal on their own!

broccoli cheese pinwheels on a white serving plate

Fun, healthy snacks are a new trend in our house now that the kids are a little pickier. They don’t always want veggies – ok they NEVER want veggies – so sometimes you just gotta wrap them in pastry and cheese to get them to eat some.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are the perfect way to get the kids eating some veggies without the nagging. And they’re so simple to make. Just 4 ingredients rolled up, sliced into pinwheels, and then baked to perfectly golden brown.

Here are my Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels!

overhead shot of broccoli cheese pinwheels on a white plate
close up of pinwheel on a serving plate
a hand holding a broccoli cheese pinwheel

Making the pinwheels

Pinwheels are super cute snacks, made with very little effort. For these, we use a thawed puff pastry dough. I roll mine out a little to make them a little thinner and smoother. Next comes some cream cheese. The cheese holds everything in place and gives the centers a creamy texture.

Now it’s time to sprinkle on the cooked broccoli and cheese. The broccoli needs to be cooked because it will not have time to cook in the pinwheels. Plus, all the excess water from the raw broccoli will make the pastry soggy.

Finally, the dough is rolled into a log and sliced into pinwheels. They’re baked to perfection and then ready to serve.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Chilled dough = flaky pastry. The key to flaky pastry is making sure it’s cold before you place in the oven. So make sure you freeze the pinwheels for a couple minutes before baking.
  2. Cut broccoli into pieces. The broccoli must be chopped before added to the pastry and rolling. If the broccoli is too big, the pinwheels will not stay round and will get misshaped.
  3. Adjust portions for appetizers. This recipe makes 8 good meal-sized portions. If you are serving as an appetizer, slice them smaller to make 16 wheels.
  4. Bake until golden brown. Do not pull out of the oven until the pinwheels are golden brown on all sides and in the center.
Print Recipe

Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels

Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
  • 10 ounces frozen broccoli florets
  • 3 ounces cream cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheese I used a Mexican cheese blend

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare baking sheet by lining with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Cook broccoli in microwave according to package instructions. Measure out 1 cup of cooked broccoli and chop it into smaller pieces. Save remaining broccoli for another use.
  • Roll out puff pastry into a 10×10 inch square. Spread cheese cheese all over using an offset spatula to ensure the layer is even. Sprinkle evely with broccoli pieces and shredded cheese. Taking the edge closest to you, roll up pastry dough to create a log. Cut the log into 8 even pinwheels (16 if you intend to serve these as an appetizer and want smaller portions). Place the pinehweels on a prepared baking sheet and place in the freezer for 5 minutes before baking.
  • Remvoe from the freezer and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown and the centers looked cooked. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Pin for later:

pin of broccoli cheese pinwheels

More recipes you’ll love:

Cheddar Sesame Crackers
close up of bowl of cheddar sesame cracker
Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels
Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels on a plate with sprigs of herbs in between the pinwheels, shot from overhead
Pigs in a Blanket Wreath
Pigs in a Blanket being dipped into a bowl of dipping sauce in the center of the pigs in a blanket wreath with sprigs on thyme and a platter of plates and with a can of dr pepper on it, shot from a side angle

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

8 Comments

« Blackberry Doughnut Cake
Gingerbread Soufflé »

Comments

  1. Jamie D. Drews says

    March 5, 2025 at 10:54 pm

    It looks so crunchy. Thanks for your recipe.
    block blast adventure gives you engaging experience about a puzzle platform.

    Reply
  2. charlie says

    December 5, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    These look delicious! So perfect for a cold winters day!

    Reply
  3. Charles says

    December 3, 2022 at 12:10 pm

    Add some shredded chicken breast and these will be great for Super Bowl! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Andrea says

    December 3, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Great flavors and so easy to make, these will be a huge hit at my Holiday party.

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    December 3, 2022 at 11:19 am

    Oh man! These were such a hit at our party today. They were gone in seconds and everyone wanted the recipe!

    Reply
    • Cully says

      December 11, 2023 at 2:20 pm

      Me, too! I’m making some right now for a Christmas/card party. So easy and everyone absolutely loves them. I did spread my puff pastry out thinner to make more!

      Reply
  6. Angela says

    December 3, 2022 at 10:57 am

    YUM! What a fun take on pinwheels. My kids will gobble this up!

    Reply
  7. Tara says

    December 3, 2022 at 10:14 am

    Such fun and beautiful pinwheels! I love the combination of broccoli with all that cheese. Yum!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

fall flavors

Maple Pecan Scones

styled shot of Sweet Yeast Rolls on a plate with a bowl of Whipped Pumpkin Butter and a basket of rolls and a pumpkin in the background, shot from a side angle

Sweet Yeast Rolls with Whipped Pumpkin Butter

three Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting on a platter with two cupcakes on a pedestal on top of cotton napkin with whole pecans sprinkled around, shot from a side angle

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

close up angle of pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes stacked on a white plate

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

styled shot of Cranberry Apple Crumble

Cranberry Apple Crumble

a slice of apple cinnamon stuffed french toast on a plate with powdered sugae

Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

holiday favorite

Candied Pecans

Apple Pie Cake

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath on parchment paper with thyme sprigs and a dish of dipping sauce in the center with cans of dr pepper and plates in the background, shot from a side angle

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

close up of a phyllo triangle sitting on a platter drizzled with honey and chopped walnuts

Goat Cheese & Honey Phyllo Triangles

zoomed in shot of a plate of sliced classic tiramisu with a glass dish of tiramisu in the background, shot from the front

Classic Tiramisu

 

This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta g This Cacio e Pepe Pasta Risotto changed my pasta game forever!

After having mind-blowing cacio e pepe at Eataly in Boston, I became obsessed with recreating it at home. But here's the problem: the traditional recipe only makes small portions. So I had a lightbulb moment – what if I cooked it risotto-style to feed a crowd?!

The result? Pure magic. By cooking short pasta (I use ditalini!) slowly in chicken broth, you get an ultra-creamy, luscious texture without any cream. Just simple Italian ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh black pepper, butter, and good olive oil.

Here's what makes this amazing:
✨ Feeds a crowd (perfect for dinner parties!)
✨ Only 7 ingredients, but packed with flavor
✨ Takes 30 minutes but worth every second
✨ Creamy without any cream

The key? Using the BEST ingredients – fresh ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil make all the difference. And cooking that pepper in the oil at the beginning? That's what gives it that signature cacio e pepe punch!

Pro tip: Dice those onions super small so they don't overpower each bite. Trust me on this one

Ready to make restaurant-quality Italian pasta at home? Comment "PASTA" below and I'll send the full recipe to your DMs! 

#cacioepepe #pastarisotto #italianfood #pastarecipes #dinnerparty
Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight! R Black Forest Cupcakes are the ultimate delight!

Rich chocolate cupcakes stuffed with amaretto-roasted cherry compote, topped with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped cherry. They're basically the fancy cupcake version of the classic German cake, and they're absolutely stunning!

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Made with FRESH cherries (it's their peak season!)
✨ Amaretto instead of Kirsch for better flavor
✨ Three delicious components: cake + filling + topping
✨ Easier than they look – just takes some time

Fun fact: The chocolate represents the Black Forest, while the red and white represent traditional colors worn by women of that region. How beautiful is that? 

These are perfect for gatherings, BBQs, or whenever you want to impress someone with an elegant dessert. Multiple people said these were devoured within 2 days – and I totally believe them!

Pro tip: Make sure everything is completely cooled before assembling, or you'll have a melty mess on your hands 

Ready to make cherry season magic? Comment "CHERRIES" below and I'll send the full recipe straight to your DMs!

#blackforestcake #cherryseason #chocolatecupcakes #summerrecipes #elegantdesserts
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? W The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies? Wrap them in puff pastry and cheese.

These Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels are a total game-changer in our house. My kids never want vegetables (ok, who are we kidding – NO kid does), but these? They gobble them up without a single complaint!

Here's what makes them amazing:
✨ Only 4 ingredients – puff pastry, cream cheese, broccoli, and shredded cheese
✨ Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish
✨ Perfect for snacks, lunch boxes, or appetizers
✨ Can make them meal-sized or appetizer-sized

The flaky puff pastry + creamy cheese + tender broccoli combo is chef's kiss. One follower said these were gone in SECONDS at their party and everyone wanted the recipe!

Pro tip: Add some shredded chicken to make these a complete meal!

Want the full recipe with all my tips for perfect pinwheels? Comment "PINWHEELS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs!

#kidfriendlyrecipes #healthysnacks #puffpastry #pinwheels #hiddenveggie
Pull-apart perfection in every bite! This Apple Pull-apart perfection in every bite! 

This Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat – fluffy balls of sweet dough stuffed with warm cinnamon apples, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and baked with a sticky brown sugar glaze. It's basically like a giant apple fritter you can pull apart with your hands!

Apple picking season is actually at its peak RIGHT NOW (did you think it was October too?!) so this is the perfect recipe to make with all those fresh apples 🍏

Here's what you need to know:
✨ Easier than you think – yeast dough isn't scary!
✨ 40 little dough balls = maximum pull-apart fun
✨ Each bite has warm cinnamon apples inside
✨ That brown sugar goo? Chef's kiss

Pro tip: Use a nonstick Bundt pan and grease it REALLY well. Trust me on this one.

Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or honestly any time you want to impress your people. One follower said her 5-year-old declared this is what they're giving Santa – so you KNOW it's good!

Want the full recipe with all my tips and tricks? Comment "APPLES" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 

#monkeybread #applecinnamon #fallbaking #applerecipes #brunchideas
The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make! The FLUFFIEST sweet yeast rolls you'll ever make!

These beauties are perfectly soft, subtly sweet, and paired with the most incredible whipped pumpkin butter (butter + pumpkin + cinnamon + honey = heaven!).

My husband said these are the best rolls he's ever had, and trust me—he doesn't give compliments lightly 😄

Here's why you need to make these:
✨ Easier than you think (no fancy skills needed!)
✨ Perfectly fluffy and chewy texture
✨ That whipped pumpkin butter is ADDICTIVE
✨ Make ahead and freeze for up to 2 months

Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cozy family dinner, these rolls will steal the show. The secret? Scalded milk for maximum fluffiness and making sure they're touching in the pan before baking.

Want the full recipe with step-by-step instructions? Comment "ROLLS" below and I'll send it straight to your DMs! 💌
#homemadebread #yeastrolls #thanksgivingrecipes #holidaybaking #pumpkinrecipes

Copyright © 2025 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.