Mexican Pinwheels

Mexican Pinwheels are a fun and zesty appetizer, bursting with southwest, Tex-Mex inspired flavors in cute little swirls. These fun bites are perfect for parties and game day.

Mexican Pinwheels

Mexican pinwheels are a zesty, flavor-packed finger food appetizer that are a guaranteed hit at your next party or gathering.

While these Mexican pinwheels are not authentic Mexican cuisine by any stretch of the imagination, they are inspired by Tex-Mex flavors and ingredients.

They feature a creamy, zesty filling with southwest flavors, green chiles, cilantro, black beans, and plenty of cheese, all wrapped up into cute, fun little spirals of deliciousness. Every bite is a fiesta in your mouth!

What is the Best Tortilla for Pinwheels?

I like to use the soft, flour burrito-sized tortillas. Save the protein and low-carb tortillas for another day. These will need tortillas that won't tear or crumble when they're rolled tightly into spirals.

How Long Do Mexican Pinwheels Keep in the Fridge?

They can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time. Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

How to Serve Mexican Pinwheels

The easiest way to serve these Mexican pinwheels is simply on a serving dish. Make sure to keep them chilled and covered until serving.

To make them look a little prettier, you can sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped cilantro.

For a fun presentation, serve with dips such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

While these pinwheels are a super fun appetizer, you can also add some shredded chicken (see notes below), to make it a full, filling lunch.

Variations on Mexican Pinwheels

If you're looking for some substitutions or a little variety, try out these ideas:

• Beans: I love black beans in this recipe, but you can also use a different bean, like pinto, or omit them altogether.
• Cheese: This recipe calls for cheddar, but many cheeses can play the part. Try Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Chihuahua cheese instead.
• Corn: Add half of a cup of corn, patted dry for a little sweet crunch.
• Salsa: Use your favorite salsa instead of picante sauce.
• Taco Seasoning: Store bought taco seasoning will work fine for this recipe. But homemade taco seasoning is cheaper and so easy to make. Use about 2 tablespoons of this homemade taco seasoning.
• Chicken: Half of a cup to one cup of shredded chicken can be added to the mixture for a little extra protein.
• Peppers: Add some bell pepper for a little sweet crunch or some chopped jalapenos for some extra heat.

Note that adding extra ingredients to the filling mixture may mean you need extra tortillas to accommodate.

More Tex-Mex Inspired Recipes You'll Love

• Texas Trash Dip - a creamy, cheesy bean dip that is as ridiculously easy to make as it is delicious.
• Easy Layered Taco Dip - a simple layered taco dip featuring layers of beans, cheese, seasoned cream cheese, salsa, and all of your favorite taco toppings.
• Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers - simple ingredients make these poppers easy to make at home and even better than the freezer version.
• Avocado Deviled Eggs - deviled eggs using avocado instead of mayo with a kick of lime juice and cilantro for fresh, zesty flavor.
• Authentic Guacamole - creamy, fresh avocado with diced tomato, onion, and jalapeno for a simple and authentic guacamole you can make right at home.

Mexican Pinwheels Video