Jalapeno Popper Rollups {Pinwheels} are a simple, make-ahead appetizer that’s always a crowd-pleaser! They are the perfect fun bite-sized spin on ever-popular jalapeno poppers!
Summers are always busy on the farm. This summer has been extra busy. We bought a piece of property so some of our cows can be on a pasture. Next to that pasture we needed to build pens for handling the cows. My oldest has been pouring concrete, welding, excavating, and so many other jobs on that project.
My middle child has been stuck in the swather, or stuck taking care of the pigs all summer long.
And then theirs my baby…well he’s only nine so he doesn’t have to do as much as the other two! He has been looking after the horses, his calves, and the goats, along with other odds and ends jobs.
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s happening on the farm!
Because my family has been running every which direction all summer long I’ve gotten pretty good at delivering breakfast, snacks, drinks, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner, snacks, and dessert to wherever my family is.
Jalapeno Popper Rollups have been a favorite around here for quite some time now. But this summer they have become a favorite on the go snack. They’ve been a lifesaver since I can make them ahead of time and they are so easy to transport!
Jalapeno Popper Rollups can be made ahead
My family is not very tough when it comes to handling spicy foods, especially Justin!
Boiling the jalapenos for a few minutes takes the heat right out of them!
I use a few of my favorite shortcuts when I make Jalapeno Popper Rollups. First of all, whenever I make bacon I make extra for recipes exactly like this.
My second shortcut is that whenever I grate cheese, I grate a whole gallon bag full so it’s ready to use at a moments notice. Yes, I know they sell pre-grated cheese in the grocery store but it just doesn’t taste the same to me so I don’t typically use it.
Jalapeno Popper Rollups are awesome for packing in the kids lunches, or as an after school snack.
The boys love taking in their lunches when they go on motorbike rides in the mountains.
They are the perfect snack for taking on the boat because they don’t get soggy and because it’s easy to snack on them throughout the day.
And don’t forget about tailgating, they would be just right thrown in the mix with other football type snacks!
Jalapeno Popper Rollups Printable Recipe
Jalapeno Popper Rollups
Ingredients
- 5 flour tortillas 10 inch
- 4-5 jalapenos diced
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
How to tame jalapenos (Optional)
- My family can't handle spice very well so I've learned a trick for taking some of the heat out of the jalapenos. Remove seeds and membranes from jalapenos. I recommend wearing gloves to do this job!
- Bring a pan of water to a boil. Drop seeded jalapenos into the boiling water. Continue boiling for 3-5 minutes depending on how much heat you want jalapenos to have. I boil for the full 5 minutes.
- Drain. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Completely cool.
- Dice for this recipe.
To Make Jalapeno Roll-Ups
- In a mixing bowl stir cream cheese until smooth.
- Add diced jalapenos, diced bacon, and grated cheese. Stir until combined
- Set tortillas on the countertop. Divide cream cheese mixture into fourths and spoon onto tortilla shells. If you have too much cream cheese mixture you can always make another roll-up. If you don't feel like you have enough mixture you can always make fewer roll-ups. I usually end up with 5.
- Spread cream cheese mixture to edges of tortillas.
- Roll up jelly roll style.
- Wrap each tortilla in tightly in plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
- Trim the ends off the roll-ups. Then cut into 1 inch slices, jelly roll style.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Notes
- Tortillas – 10″ flour tortillas work great. You can also use 8″ flour tortillas, you’ll probably need 6 tortillas. Corn tortillas can also be used but will alter the texture. I’ve never used gluten-free “flour style” tortillas, but I’m sure they would work just fine.
- Cheese- Cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, are all great choices. Mozzarella wouldn’t be my first choice but it would work in a pinch.
- Jalapenos- If can handle the heat, leave them raw. Removing seeds and membranes takes out some of the heat.
- Cream cheese- Use regular full fat cream cheese for this recipe. Reduces fat cream cheese, or Neufchatel, has more water content and will make the pinwheels too soggy.
- Bacon – Use more or less to taste. More is always better in my book!
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- I don’t recommend freezing this appetizer. Cream cheese doesn’t freeze well.
Nutrition
Kayleigh O'Neal says
So delicious! My mother in law made these for a birthday party and they were a huge hit. I found the recipe saved on her Pinterest board and saved it to mine so I can make it in the future.
Amy Engberson says
This is perfect party food! I’m glad everyone loved them!
amy marshall says
In one spot you say you took seeds and membrane out cause your family cant handle heat. But then you say drop seeded pepper into boiling water…I am confused
Amy Engberson says
Yes, I do take the seeds out and the membranes because my family really doesn’t like spicy foods. When I said seeded I meant it as a past tense verb, as in I already took the seeds out of the jalapeno pepper. Hopefully, that makes sense.
Tami Yeomans says
Could I use homemade pickled jalapenos instead of the fresh? Maybe rinse them first?
Amy Engberson says
Sure! This would work great! I think it would even be fine to use them without rinsing them!
Lanie says
Can you put this in Phyllis shells without any problems?
Amy Engberson says
Are you talking about Phyllo shells? The filling would be delicious in those shells! Great idea!
Lanie says
Yes that is what I meant. If I make them up ahead of time will they get soggy
Amy Engberson says
I’ve never tried it before. I don’t think it would get too soggy as long as you didn’t make it too far in advance. I would think it should be fine for at least a few hours. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Lanie says
Can I use can jalapenos? If I use mild will it be very spicy?
Amy Engberson says
Yes! You can use a can of mild diced green chili’s and it shouldn’t be hot. I don’t buy canned jalapenos so I can’t say how hot they are. Boiling fresh jalapenos before dicing them really does take the heat out of them. Promise! My husband can’t take spice at all and he can eat these!
Amber says
Do you have to boil the peppers? Or is this just to remove the heat?
Amy Engberson says
It’s just to remove the heat. If you can handle the heat go for it!
Jen P. says
The mixture is really thick, difficult to spread, and hard to chew as written. I think it needs a half cup of something thinner, like mayo, sour cream, or heavy cream.
Amy Engberson says
Hi Jen! Was the cream cheese at room temperature? That would make it easier to spread. Obviously you could add a bit of sour cream, or mayo and it would still be wonderful! Good luck!
Jessica Wright says
What size tortilla do you use?
Amy Engberson says
You can use any size tortilla you’d like. Using larger tortillas is a little easier, but like I said any size will work. I used 8″ tortillas last time! Enjoy!
vicki netteshiem says
i wear gloves and to seed them i use a grapefruit knife . work great and fast
Amy Engberson says
Yes! I ALWAYS wear gloves or else my hands would be on fire! Thanks for the tip on using a grapefruit knife, that sounds like it would be so slick!
E Carter says
My family loves all the ingredients in these except cream cheese! Any substitute suggestions???
Amy Engberson says
No cream cheese? Darn it!
I’m trying to think of a substitution and can’t think of anything that would have the same consistency. Sour cream, mayo, or Greek yogurt can be substituted in some recipes but, would be too thin and make rollups soggy.
My middle child hates cream cheese and will still eat these rollups!
Faye says
Is the cheese 1/2 cup or 1 to 2 cups?
Amy Engberson says
Hi Faye! It’s one to two cups of shredded cheese. No need to measure here! Just guess, and when it comes to guessing how much cheese I should add to a recipe I always guess a little high! More cheese is always better!
Sandy Dodd says
Is that 1/2 cup of cheese or 1 to 2 cups of cheese? Thank you. Looks wonderful!
Amy Engberson says
It’s 1 to 2 cups of grated cheese. Don’t worry about measuring, guessing is just fine for this recipe! Enjoy!
Joan says
I am going to use the jar of jalapeño peppers what would be the same amt. as fresh per spoonful?
Amy Engberson says
This recipe isn’t picky so I would just guess. I would probably use about 4-5 Tablespoons of jarred jalapenos. Be sure to check the heat level so you get the heat you want!
angie crosslan says
What size tortilla should be used?
Amy Engberson says
You can use any size tortilla you want. If you use smaller tortillas you will end up with more to roll. I usually use 8-9 inch tortillas!
Lorie W. says
I love the addition of bacon! Trying that next batch. In NW Iowa we make these often. We add chopped black olives. Do you do pickle roll ups too? Yummy!
Amy Engberson says
Hi Lorie! Bacon is always a good addition! I haven’t ever tried pickle rollups but they sound amazing! I think I need the recipe!
Jackie Passmore says
Instead of regular jalapenos, try Mezzetta Tamed Jalapenos. They are just right. Can usually find them at Wal-Mart.
Amy Engberson says
Oh that’s such a great idea! I need to look for them!
Ellen says
I can’t wait to try these. Do you think I can freeze them?
Amy Engberson says
I wouldn’t recommend freezing them because the texture of cream cheese changes textures after it’s been frozen. You can make them ahead of time though which helps!
Bea says
These look awesome. Can they be frozen
Amy Engberson says
I haven’t ever tried freezing them before. Usually freezing alters the consistency of cream cheese so I wouldn’t recommend it. They can be made ahead of time though which is helpful!
Cj says
I made these jalapeño popper rolls today, but felt like they were missing something. I popped mine in the oven at high broil setting for a few minutes each side and that was it. It gave them an extra crunch that my tastebuds were looking for.
Amy Engberson says
That’s such a great idea! I can’t wait to try it! Sometimes I add a little bit of dry Fiesta Ranch Seasoning to the cream cheese mixture because it adds an additional flavor to the rollups that I love!
Rikki M Nygaard says
These look amazing Amy. Will try them this long weekend for sure. Would b wonderful addition to any b-b-q or gathering. Would also b good at a wedding reception with finger foods. Thank you. Schotzee56@gmail.com
Amy Engberson says
Hi Rikki! These will be a pefect addition to all the other finger foods! Can’t wait for you to try them!