Crack Turkey Pinwheels

I’m going to share with you one of my favorite recipes that can be made in advance and served as an appetizer, snack, or party food. Meet my effortless and delicious Crack Turkey Pinwheels, which take just 15 minutes to make, taste downright addicting, and are always a crowd-pleaser.

I know the name is a bit controversial, but just like my crack chicken pinwheels, these turkey spirals will blow your taste buds. It’s a mouthwatering combination of bacon, cheddar cheese, turkey, and creamy Ranch dressing, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. This effortless snack is simply irresistible and is perfect for lunchboxes, potlucks, and entertaining gatherings.

The best part of this recipe is that it will alleviate the stress of preparing something just before the guests arrive. It can be prepared a day in advance, making it not only effortless but also highly convenient. The recipe is versatile; you can experiment with the flavors based on what you have on hand. Give them a try, and you will have a new favorite.

Why you will love this recipe

• Because it is addictive: This recipe features a blend of three ingredients that make any food impossible to stop eating – ranch, cheddar cheese, and bacon.
• They’re fast and easy to make: In just a few minutes and with just three simple steps, these little rolls can be ready to eat.
• Perfect for lunchboxes: The kids love them in their lunchboxes, and so do I. They require minimal fuss and are rich in protein and flavor.
• Great for parties, too: Because they look so good, they are also great appetizers, finger food, or snacks for parties.

What you will need

• Meat: I use organic turkey deli meat for the best flavor, free from antibiotics and pesticides.
• Bacon: My bacon is fully cooked, drained, and chopped.
• Cheeses: The cream cheese is full-fat, softened brick-style, and the cheddar cheese is freshly shredded, as pre-shredded varieties are often packed with fillers.
• Ranch: I use my homemade ranch dressing made from scratch.
• Veggies: For extra flavor, I add chopped green onions to the mixture. 
• Tortillas: To wrap the pinwheels, I use three large flour tortillas, but six smaller ones can also be used.

How to make

Mix the cheese: First, mix the cream cheese, cheddar, and ranch dressing until smooth.

Add mix-ins: Then, I stir in the green onions and chopped bacon.

Roll them up: I spread a thick layer of filling over the tortillas, place six slices of turkey on top, and roll them up.

Slice and serve: Finally, I slice them into one-inch pieces for serving.

Expert tip

The best kind of turkey meat for pinwheels

I use, and strongly suggest, high-quality deli turkey. Pre-packaged turkey breast or any other packaged turkey meat sold in the grocery store typically contains more preservatives, additives, antibiotics, and other ingredients we prefer not to have in our food. It also has extra salt, sugar, and nitrates. Deli meat is usually leaner and contains fewer inorganic ingredients. It’s true; slicing turkey right from the source would be even better, though, so leftovers would be a great idea. 

More tips to consider

• Heat tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds, wrapped in a moist paper towel to prevent cracking.
• Place each pinwheel into its plastic baggie in a lunchbox to keep it from getting soggy.
• I also like to place a napkin or paper towel in the lunchbox to prevent condensation from forming. 
• Use toothpicks to keep them together if they are unrolling. 
• To make them firmer and easier to slice, chill them for a couple of hours before slicing. 

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different meat: Using other kinds of meat with these pinwheels is fun. I like to make several kinds and let people choose what they want from chicken, turkey, and ham.
• Add some greens: I also like to add greens to make these more refreshing. I usually place a slice of spinach or a leaf of lettuce on each one or chop up some other kind of greens. 
• Veggies are good, too: To make these more substantial and flavorful, it’s also a good idea to add some shredded carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
• Spicy pinwheels: Although some kids don’t like spicy food, the adults always seem to love it when I add some chopped jalapenos and red pepper flakes. 
• Other cheeses: Although cheddar is part of the crack addiction, I still like to add different cheeses, such as mozzarella, pepper jack, and Swiss, for a variety of tastes. 

Serving suggestions:

I like to serve these in a lunchbox with dried fruits and vegetables, such as air-fried veggie chips, or other finger foods like crispy sweet potato wedges or air-fried zucchini fries. Or I can just put them in there with some fresh fruits and vegetables. I sometimes add a quick treat like my easy Oreo fudge, which only needs three ingredients and takes just a few minutes to prepare. 

When I serve these pinwheels as an appetizer, I like to offer a variety of dipping sauces as well. Several options pair well with this recipe, including ranch dressing (of course), as well as buffalo sauce, creamy Chipotle sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey mustard, ketchup, and barbecue sauce. 

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Roll leftover pinwheels in plastic and place them in a sealed container for up to a week.
• Freezing: To freeze, I wrap them in plastic, then in foil, and then place them in freezer bags. I only store one serving in each bag so I can take out just what I need when I need it. They will last three months in the freezer.  
• Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for optimal texture and taste.

Frequently asked questions

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