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.
Jill says
Thanks for the recipe! Sounds good!
Teresa Shere says
you don’t say in the recipe whether you use small or large tortillas!! Video looks to be maybe the large but want to make sure! Thank you1
Amy Engberson says
Hi Teresa! I use the 8″-10″ tortillas and they work great!
Ruth Brinson says
Is the bacon cooked or not.?
Amy Engberson says
Yes Ruth! The bacon is cooked and diced, or crumbled, before adding it to the rollups! I usually cook extra bacon whenever I’m making it and use the leftovers in recipes exactly like this one! It saves me time!
Dianne says
What size tortilla shell are you using?
Amy Engberson says
I’m using and 8-10″ shell!
Angie says
can these be frozen?
Amy Engberson says
Hi Angie! I haven’t ever tried freezing them before, however I don’t think it would work very well since the texture of cream cheese is altered when it freezes. I’ve left them in the fridge for a few days and they were still tasty though. Hope that helps!
Bev says
What size tortillas do you use? Taco size (6″) or burrito size (8-10″)?
Amy Engberson says
I’m using an 8-10″ shell. Maybe I should specify that in the ingredient list! You could use any size shell you have on hand. It will change the amount of rollups you are able to make though!
Leora Mahoney says
what size are the shells and instead of boiling and softening the peppers could you used diced peppers in a can?
Amy Engberson says
I’m sure you could use a can if you would like. It would be faster and sometimes that’s super important!
Leora Mahoney says
Thank you for responding so soon.
Mary Jo hook says
I have to try these
Amy Engberson says
I’m pretty sure you are going to love them!
Candace Burris says
Love this!!!!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Candace!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I love roll-ups! This looks like a really fun flavor combo – I bet it’d be a huge hit at any dinner party!
alice says
Will b making the jalapino poppers .sounds good…
Amy Engberson says
I can’t wait for you to try them! They are tasty!
Dennis McGuire says
Can this be frozen
Amy Engberson says
I haven’t ever tried freezing them before but I don’t think it would work. The texture and consistency of cream cheese changes quite a bit when it’s frozen so I’m guessing it would make these rollups extra soggy. The good news is that they disappear so quickly you might not even get a chance to freeze them anyway! Have a great day!
Elsie Oliver says
They look great.
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Elsie!
Marilyn Adams says
Looks good.
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Marilyn! They are always a hit, and they are easy!
Krista says
These look so good! I love the jalapeno in there! I could eat these for lunch weekly!
Megan Ancheta says
I seriously want to gobble that entire container up! These look outrageous (in such a delicious way)!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! My family goes crazy over traditional jalapeno poppers so I knew these would be a hit!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
Oh my! Y’all HAVE been busy… and this sounds like a fantastic refueling lunch or snack for the whole family. Love those hints of heat, too!
Amy Engberson says
Summers are busy for everyone! I don’t want the winter to come but I am ready for a little slow down. We love how easy they are to transport to the field or a project!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama says
These would be great in school lunches or take along on a picnic! 🙂 Looks delicious.
Amy Engberson says
Yes! They beat a soggy sandwich that’s for sure!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I love this recipe for its flavor, and for its convenience! How great for your hard working guys to enjoy and replenish!
Amy Engberson says
I wish my boys could handle a little more heat so I could add just a touch more flavor! They do perk up when I bring snacks to them!
Patti says
You can always designate 2 rollups for them and 2 for you. Add more flavor to yours, the way you like it!
Amy Engberson says
Great suggestion! I wish my family could handle just a touch more heat…but nope! They can’t!
Awmeme says
So I like to add chopped up olives and some sort of protein to my roll-ups to make them more filling and seem to fill people up better. When I first started making these as a kid (years ago) I didn’t like spicy at all and neither did my family so would add bell pepper and/or onion for extra flavor. Maybe you could try that for extra flavor for everyone to enjoy.
Amy Engberson says
That sounds delicious! I LOVE olives! I’ll have to try that next time!
Jen says
We are a family on the go too and these would be so perfect for us! My kids would welcome the change from the norm too, thanks!
Amy Engberson says
My kids get so tired of sandwiches by about the second week of school so I’m always on the hunt for easy lunchbox ideas! These are a welcome change from the same old stuff!