These spinach puff pastry pinwheels are an easy, flaky lunch or snack that comes together with just a few simple ingredients.
They’re perfect for snack time, lunchboxes, or even a quick appetizer, and can be customized with whatever you have on hand. Plus, the soft, buttery texture makes them a great option for little ones who are still learning to explore new foods (especially veggies)!
Why You’ll Love These Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- festive and fun without being complicated
- soft, flaky texture kids can handle
- great for picky eaters (get them involved for bonus exposure!)
- a simple way to introduce spinach
- customizable with different fillings
- perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or appetizers
Your toddler would also love this veggie-packed sauce to pair with as a fun dip or even pair with veggie meatballs!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How To Make Your Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Helpful Hint For The Best Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storing Your Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Tiff's Dietitian Tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make these spinach puff pastry pinwheels:
- puff pastry – creates flaky layers and allows the filling to be rolled together that's easy to hold
- garlic & herb Boursin cheese or cream cheese – a creamy, spreadable base that adds flavor and helps bind the filling in a toddler-friendly way
- spinach – finely chopped to add veggies into the dish
- carrot – grated for natural sweetness, festive color, and a soft texture once baked
- shredded white cheddar or mozzarella – melts easily, adds a familiar flavor for kids, and helps hold everything together
- melted butter + garlic (or can use egg wash) – adds flavor and helps create a golden, slightly crisp finish
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Your Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out puff pastry and spread a thin layer of Boursin down.
- Step 2: Then sprinkle the veggies + shredded cheese evenly on top, lay the other puff pastry sheet on top.
- Step 3: Tightly roll into a log, then slice into pinwheels.
- Step 4: Place pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with melted garlic butter or egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until flaky and golden.
Helpful Hint For The Best Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Make sure your spinach is finely chopped, that way its not just strands of spinach coming out when biting into the pinwheel. You can also pulse in a food processor or blender for smoother texture.
Substitutions
These spinach puff pastry pinwheels can totally be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free if needed!
- puff pastry: gluten-free puff pastry (like Sweet Loren's) works if needed (bake time may vary for different puff pastry)
- Boursin: swap with whipped cream cheese, ricotta, or a dairy-free cream cheese for a milder option
- mozzarella: use mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or dairy-free shredded cheese
- spinach: finely chopped broccoli, zucchini (squeezed dry), or cauliflower all work well
- carrot: try finely grated sweet potato or butternut squash for a similar texture and sweetness
You can also do ham + cheese or turkey + cheese for a meat and cheese option!
Variations
Feel free to make veggie swaps or added herbs to make these spinach puff pastry pinwheels your own creation!
- extra protein: mix a few spoonfuls of cottage cheese into the Boursin
- milder flavor: use plain Boursin or whipped cream cheese
- dairy-free: dairy-free cream cheese + skip mozzarella
- more veggies: finely chopped spinach or zucchini (squeezed dry)
Equipment
You’ll need a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, a sharp knife or pizza cutter for slicing the puff pastry into pinwheels, a cutting board, a mixing bowl, and a spoon or spatula for spreading the filling.
Storing Your Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
These spinach puff pastry pinwheels are best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
This is a great way to introduce spinach in a low-pressure way, the flaky texture and familiar flavors make it feel safe for toddlers, even if they’re still learning to accept veggies!
Remember: exposure doesn’t always mean eating! It can be seen through touching, holding, and exploring counts too.
What should I pair with the spinach puff pastry pinwheels?
We loved pairing these pinwheels with red lentil tomato soup for an iron + fiber + protein boost! Just blend a can of cooked lentils with tomato soup or veggie sauce and enjoy.
FAQ
Yes. Puff pastry is soft and flaky once baked and can be served to toddlers in small, manageable pieces. Always supervise closely and adjust portion size based on your little one's chewing skills.
Absolutely. Simply skip the egg wash and brush the pastry with milk or melted butter before baking. The trees will still puff and turn golden.
These are best served fresh, but you can prep the filling and cut the pastry strips ahead of time. Assemble and bake just before serving for the flakiest texture.
Pair with fruit, yogurt, applesauce, or another familiar food. Dips like plain yogurt or cottage cheese can also make this appetizer more engaging for toddlers.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these spinach puff pastry pinwheels:
Spinach Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Equipment
- pizza cutter or knife
- box grater
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- ½-1 cup finely chopped spinach fresh or frozen, thawed and well drained
- ½ cup grated or shredded carrot optional for added veggie
- ½ cup shredded cheese mozzarella, cheddar, or blend
- 2-4 tablespoon Boursin cheese or cream cheese
- pinch of salt optional
- 1-2 tablespoon melted butter
- 1-2 teaspoon minced garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
optional
- 1 egg for egg wash instead of butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Spread cream cheese (if using) evenly over the pastry.
- Sprinkle spinach, shredded carrot (if using), and shredded cheese evenly across the surface.
- Roll the pastry tightly into a log. Slice into ½-1 inch pinwheels and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush tops with melted butter and garlic, or use an egg wash if preferred.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky. Let cool slightly before serving.
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