As hard as I’ve tried to like a variety of greens, many of them are too bitter for my tastes, so spinach is one of my few go-tos. It works out well, since it’s also a key ingredient in one of my favorite appetizers of all time – spinach-artichoke dip (which, it turns out, is also good stuffed in mushrooms). For some reason, I haven’t discovered a great homemade spinach-artichoke dip so I’m not sharing one this week but maybe by next year’s Super Bowl I’ll have one for you π
I still wanted to make something with spinach for this week, and I had a few goals in mind as I set out do so. First, it had to be quick and easy. I always try to plan my menu with a few simple things to balance out some of the more time-consuming items. Also, there needed to be cheese – everything is better with cheese, including spinach. I opened my fridge and discovered a block of Gruyere that really needed to be used, plus I knew I had some puff pastry in my freezer, so that’s where this idea started to take shape.
This appetizer really is as simple as mixing together some spinach and cheese, then rolling it up in a sheet of puff pastry. Gotta love that, right? Not only are these pinwheels a cinch to put together, they’re completely addictive! The buttery puff pastry, the nutty, melty Gruyere cheese, and of course the spinach are so good in combination. The pinwheels are great warm from the oven, but they are equally delicious at room temperature. If Gruyere isn’t your thing, just substitute your favorite cheese – these are super adaptable. I bet these would also be great with pepperoni in place of the spinach and maybe mozzarella cheese instead of Gruyere. That’s definitely the version Shane would be rooting for π
(Just an FYI – I used puff pastry from Trader Joe’s here, and since their sheets tend to be a bit smaller than many store-bought brands, I had a little bit of leftover filling. If you use the bigger sheets from Pepperidge Farm, you can probably roll them out slightly larger and add all of the filling.)
I’m not going to put together a separate round-up post of Super Bowl recipes, but there are some old favorites from the archives that I don’t want you to miss. Any of these recipes would be great additions to your menu! Enjoy π
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes
Cookies and Cream Mini Cheesecakes
The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
Slow Cooker Tequila Lime Chili
Peanut Butter Cup Truffle Brownies
Spinach Gruyere Puff Pastry Pinwheels
adapted from Pepperidge Farm
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Wrap the spinach in a towel or paper towels and squeeze out as much excess moisture as you can. If you don’t, the puff pastry may end up soggy.
Combine the spinach, both cheese, the salt and pepper, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, beat the egg and water together.
Place the sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Roll it into a roughly 12×12-inch square, lifting and turning as you go to ensure it’s not sticking. Brush a thin layer of the egg wash over the surface of the puff pastry, then spread the spinach/cheese mixture in an even layer.
Roll the puff pastry like a jelly roll and pinch to seal at the seam. Cut the roll into approximately 20 1/2-inch slices and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of each lightly with the egg wash.
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the pinwheels are golden brown.
I.am.drooling. They look so good! My mom just asked me last night what I was bringing for the Super Bowl party and I told her I had no clue. But I think I know what I’ll be taking now π
Invite me over for the superbowl? I’ll bring anything you want!
Done and done. I need these in my life.
I haven’t found an amazing spinach artichoke dip either. It seems like hey’re all too artichoke-y for me and I *love* artichokes so I don’t know what the deal is. Hopefully we’ll both find one soon!
LOVE making pinwheels. But have never used Gruyere. Next time will try that! Perfect
These look incredible! I have yet to meet a pinwheel I diddn’t like. I like to add a little fresh rosemary. Adds a punch of flavor that’s different, but in a good way. Oh, and bacon. Keep playing around with it, it’s worth it when you find a keeper!
Your pinwheels look amazing! I love puff pastry appetizers…and these are winners!
Umm…YUM! These sound awesome!
I love your roundup and I just happen to have extra puff pastry that’s beggin’ for some pinwheeling I think π
So impressive looking for how easy the recipe sounds! And for how delicious they look. I’m just impressed you had some leftover Gruyere in your fridge. Not sure that would ever happen in mine. π
Oh my Gosh, I want them all!
The pinwheels look awesome. With all your posts this week, I’m thinking I need to find a superbowl party just for the food. π
I looooove these. They would make a great addition to any party. Great round up too!
I’m with you, greens are not my thing. Spinich is as dark as I venture LOL π these look and sound amazing. Gruyere is one of my all time favorite cheeses. I have GOT to make this soon!
Everything looks amazing! I want to eat everything, right now! Going to your place for the Super Bowl Party!!
Cool! I make puff pastry pinwheels every so often, but I wouldn’t have thought to try them with spinach. Great idea.
Sounds delicious! Luckily I just bought some gruyere and puff pastry last night!
I am definitely making these this weekend…I have everything I need in the fridge! Love frozen puff pastry.
Great line up for sure – I still need to make those baked taquitos!
These pinwheels are perfect, love the spinach idea. I have tried greens too, and they are all just too bitter for me!
Yum! These look fantastically yummy!
~ Tiffany
Transfer of Health
Healthy Recipes and How to Feel Good
I love creating food based on things you have on hand. I don’t think I could get Hubs to eat these, but that’s ok, cause I could eat them all myself. Plus I have some gruyere that is begging to be used. I shouldn’t be looking at blogs right now, because I’m hungry. Seeing your line of other goodies is making my stomach growl. Would love some pretzel bites and chili right about now.
These look so good. I can’t wait to give these a try!
YUM!
FINALLY!!! something i can do with my gruyere cheese! thanks for posting, these look amazing!!!
Those would be so delicious, and Gruyere would be the perfect cheese to use!
These pinwheels look picture perfect Tracey. And almost, just almost, too good too eat.
I’m so excited! I made the onion dip last night…I’ll never buy at store again. I’ve got the oreo cheesecakes in the oven right now…I’m about to start on the jalapeΓ±o dip and I’m making the pinwheels later. Best super bowel ever! Thanks for the awesome list of recipes.
@Valerie – Thanks for your kind words, glad you found so many things you wanted to try π Hope everything turns out great!!
Oh my gosh I wish I had some of these right.this.minute! I adore spinach in just about anything!
SO beautiful and tasty! These look amazingly delicious. looks absolutely divine and inviting..I look forward to trying these out for my next dinner party.
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I made these this weekend and I am ashamed to say, I ate every last one of these myself. (They were my lunch and dinner!)My husband turned his nose up at them because they had *gasp* something green in them. More for me! Thank you for the great recipe!
Will chicken taste
good in this?
@Anonymous – I’ve never made it with chicken, but I would think so! I’d be sure to shred it into very small pieces though so you can still roll the puff pastry tightly.
Would you use a whole batch of your homemade puff pastry for this?
@HoneyBee – No, you only need roughly 1/2 pound of puff pastry for this recipe (i.e. one sheet of the boxed kind). I have two homemade puff pastry recipes on this site, but both of them make more than you’d need. If you’re going that route, I’d measure out 1/2 lb after you make the puff pastry and freeze the rest for another project π
can you make any of the apps ahead of time and freeze?
I am having ac ocktail party in 2 weeks. I think these will fit in nicely.