Description
Savory pesto pinwheels spiral with Italian-inspired elegance, bringing homemade charm to appetizer spreads. Crisp puff pastry and herbal pesto create a delightful bite you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- ¼ cup (59 ml) basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ cup (50 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese (or Parmesan)
Garnish and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) pine nuts (optional, for crunch)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
Instructions
- Prepare a pristine baking surface by lining a sheet with parchment paper and heating the oven to a precise 375°F (190°C).
- Gently unfurl the delicate puff pastry onto a lightly dusted work surface, creating a smooth canvas for your culinary creation.
- Lavishly spread a vibrant layer of pesto across the pastry, taking care to leave a slender margin around the edges to prevent overflow.
- Generously scatter mozzarella cheese over the pesto, then sprinkle pine nuts or red pepper flakes for an added dimension of flavor and texture.
- Carefully roll the pastry from the longer side, creating a tight, uniform log that encapsulates the aromatic fillings.
- Transfer the log to the freezer for a brief 10-15 minute chill, which will facilitate cleaner, more precise slicing.
- Extract the log and slice into elegant rounds approximately 1/2-inch thick, arranging them artfully on the prepared baking sheet.
- Delicately brush the pinwheel tops with egg wash to achieve a lustrous, golden-brown exterior during baking.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, watching for a perfectly puffed and bronzed appearance.
- Allow the pinwheels a momentary rest of 5 minutes before serving, ensuring they’re warm and inviting for immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Chill the pastry before rolling to prevent sticking and ensure crisp, neat edges when slicing pinwheels.
- Customize flavor profiles by swapping classic basil pesto with sun-dried tomato, roasted red pepper, or spinach pesto variations.
- For gluten-sensitive guests, substitute traditional puff pastry with gluten-free alternatives made from rice or almond flour to maintain the delicate, flaky texture.
- Control sodium and calories by using part-skim mozzarella, reducing cheese quantity, or incorporating lighter herb spreads instead of traditional pesto.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg