The BEST tortilla pinwheels! This recipe combines the classic flavors of cream cheese and lox in a delicious appetizer that’s as easy as it is addictive!

When it comes to appetizers, I’m all about EASY. Whether they’re for holidays or game days or a weekend night with friends… easy always does it. And when you combine easy with delicious? You definitely have yourself a winner.

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I’ve always been a fan of tortilla pinwheel appetizers, not only because they’re easy and delicious, but because there are endless flavor combinations. Like these Lox Cream Cheese Pinwheels with capers and fresh dill! A classic flavor combination turned into the perfect little bite-sized appetizers. Most DEFINITELY a winning recipe.

What we love about this recipe

This recipe takes basic pinwheels to a whole new level, making these little roll-ups oh so versatile. They’re perfect, not only casual gatherings or game days, but for holiday celebrations and dinner parties, too. They pair perfectly with a glass of your favorite wine, and make a delicious starter for anything from game day chili to a fancy steak. And have I mentioned how insanely easy they are to make??

What you need for this recipe

Tortillas – Large flour tortillas work best for this recipe. I used burrito size, which is what the recipe measurement of 3 large tortillas is based on.

Cream cheese – Cream cheese is one of the key ingredients in these pinwheels, so I would not recommend substituting with anything else. I used 8 ounces of full fat plain cream cheese, which was softened for maximum spreadability.

Sour cream – 1/4 cup of sour cream helps balance out the cream cheese flavor and texture. I used full fat sour cream, but you can feel free to substitute a lowfat version if you prefer.

Lox – Lox, or cured salmon, is another key ingredient in this recipe. It can be found in vacuum-sealed packages in the seafood section at your local grocery store.

Dill – Dill is the perfect complement to the other flavors in this recipe, and as always, fresh is best! If you’re unable to find fresh dill, feel free to substitute dried dill (1 Tablespoon fresh dill = 1 teaspoon dried dill).

Capers – Finally, capers add a delicious briny flavor to these pinwheels. If you’ve never had capers, they’re deliciously salty and reminiscent of olives… only better!

How to make Lox Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Prepare the filling – In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and fresh dill. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to mix the ingredients, then increase the speed to high and whip for an extra minute until the filling is light and fluffy.

Layer the ingredients – Spread the filling generously and evenly between the 3 large tortillas, getting as close to the edge as possible. Add lox, capers, and additional fresh dill.

Roll & slice – Starting at one end of each tortilla, roll them tightly into a tube shape and place them seam-side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice into one 1 1/2 inch pieces.

Arrange & enjoy – Arrange pinwheels cut side down on a plate. Garnish with additional dill as desired. Enjoy!

Recipe variations

Add thinly sliced or diced tomatoes to the recipe
Use your favorite flavored cream cheese for an extra pop of flavor
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the cream cheese filling mix
Add thinly sliced red onion
Use flavored wraps in place of plain tortillas
Add additional seasonings to the filling, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or pepper

Make-ahead & storage tips

Tortilla pinwheels can be made in advance and stored for several hours before serving. To make these ahead of time, simply follow the recipe instructions up to the point of rolling the tortillas. Then wrap the rolled tortillas in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove from the fridge, slice as directed, and enjoy!

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days and enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

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