The classic flavor combination of cheddar cheese and apples come together in these delicious puff pastry pinwheel appetizers. You assemble them ahead of time and they are great warm or at room temperature, so they are perfect for parties.
Flaky puff pastry wrapped around a savory filling of apples, thyme and cheddar cheese. These fun appetizers are perfect for fall.
Plus you can assemble them ahead of time and slice and bake them when you are ready. They were a big hit with our crowd and I am sure they will be with yours as well.
If you are looking for a tasty and flaky apple appetizer idea, you are in the right place. These yummy pinwheels are loaded with onion, apples, herbs and cheese.
Because you use store bought puff pastry, they are easy to put together. And the resulting appetizers are really flavorful.
Making the Pinwheels
You will want to dice your apples and onion relatively thin. That way it is easy to slice the puff pastry pinwheels when the time comes.
You can peel your apples if you want. I tend to leave the peel on.
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Because they are diced fine, the texture isn’t a problem. Plus a lot of the nutrients are in the peel.
To remove some of the moisture, you will want to cook the apples and onion down a little bit. Do this in a large skillet with a little bit of butter, or use bacon grease if you have it.
If you are using frozen puff pastry dough, make sure it is defrosted. Then lay the pastry out flat and roll it out just a bit.
Make sure the filling is completely cooled so you don’t met the butter in the pastry dough. We usually use sharp cheddar, but gruyere or gouda would be delicious as well.
Serving Your Apple Cheddar Appetizers
These pinwheels are fabulous served warm. However, they are also wonderful at room temperature.
So you don’t have to worry if they won’t all be eaten at once. Plus they travel well if you are taking them with you to a potluck or carry-in.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container and warm them for a few seconds in the microwave before eating them. They are best fresh, but they are pretty good rewarmed as well.
Apple Cheddar Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 large apples use ones that are good for baking
- ½ cup mild onion diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sharp cheddar grated
- 17 oz container puff pastry
Instructions
- If using frozen puff pastry, defrost it.
- Wash and core the 2 large apples, then finely dice them. Peeling it is not necessary but you can if you prefer.
- In a large skillet, melt the 2 Tablespoons butter over medium to medium-high heat. Sauté the ½ cup mild onion and apples until the onions are translucent. Stir in the ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Then cool the apple mixture completely.
- Unroll the 17 oz container puff pastry. Spread with apple mixture and sprinkle with 2 cups sharp cheddar.
- With a long side of the dough facing you, roll the dough around the apple mixture. (You want the roll to be long.) Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least a half hour.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper.
- Cut the roll into ½-inch slices and arranged pieces on the lined baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Has anyone made these and then put them in the freezer unbaked?
I haven't done it with this particular recipe, but I have done it with similar recipes and it worked great. I can't see why it wouldn't work here.
This look divine. Could I bake them then refrigerate to use the next day?
It would probably be better to make them up to the point of slicing and baking them. Just wrap the rolled log in plastic wrap and when you are ready to serve them, just slice, bake and serve. I would be afraid they'd get soggy if you refrigerate them baked, but I've never tried it. Or bake them a couple of hours ahead and just store them in an airtight container until they are ready to serve.
These are incredible! I've made them a few times already and they're a new favorite among friends. I'd like to make them for Thanksgiving — how well do you think they'd hold up if they were refrigerated overnight and then just cooked on Thanksgiving?
Thank you so much!! You can definitely make them a day ahead. Just wrap the log of rolled dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. You could probably make it even further ahead and freeze it, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight. I haven't tried freezing it though, but I can't imagine it would hurt anything.
Do you prefer to serve these hot or at room temperature?
I serve them at room temperature. They cool really quickly, so you can more or less serve them straight from the oven though. I hope you enjoy them!
Thank you!
These look absolutely delicious! I bet they would taste amazing with anything.
Thanks for sharing with the Tips and Tricks Link Party!
Thanks, Cassie!
YUM! These sound amazing!
Thanks, Jess
Hi Carlee, don't you ever run out of recipe ideas. This recipe is so simple, but not something I would ever think to do. At first I thought they were made with a bread dough, but using ready made puff pastry makes this recipe even simpler!
xx
Unfortunately my list of things to make is longer than there are hours in the day 😉 I even put reminders in my phone calendar sometimes because I think of stuff I want to try off season… I think it maybe be a sickness!
OMW Carlee, these all sound and look so delicious, #WAYWOW. I have got to try the apple cheddar pinwheels and that slow cooker apple cider pull pork.
Thanks, Michelle! Aren't all of these apple treats the best?
Oh yeah…. I am so making these!!!
You should! They are so easy and really good!