Easy Italian Pinwheels

These Easy Italian Pinwheels are a colorful, easy-to-make snack or appetizer that can be changed up to fit the ingredients you have on hand! They’re also quick to put together and perfect for a great party appetizer, after-school snack, or light lunch! Keep reading to see how to make them!

Originally posted January 2022, updated March 2025

Italian Pinwheels

I absolutely love pinwheels and these Easy Italian Pinwheels are loaded with zesty flavors! With three Italian meats, pepperoncini peppers, and a couple of kinds of cheese wrapped in a soft tortilla – you cannot go wrong!

They’re the perfect appetizer for a party, baby showers, bridal showers, potluck, dinner party, game day, or just an after-school snack for the kids! Anywhere people are eating finger foods – these pinwheels are going to be a hit! I’m thinking of making them for the upcoming Super Bowl party too!

If you use the low-carb tortillas, these pinwheel appetizers can even be a low-carb snack or meal. This tasty snack is loaded with all of my favorite flavors and I’m sure you’ll love them too – you won’t miss the carbs at all!

Equipment Needed

• Small Mixing Bowl
• Spoon
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board

Easy Italian Pinwheel Ingredients

You can find everything you need for this Italian Pinwheels recipe at your local grocery store (you may need to visit the deli section for some of the meats).

Flour Tortillas. For these pinwheels, I stick to plain tortillas, but you could absolutely use another variety if you like. Some of our family favorites are spinach tortillas or whole wheat tortillas. You could even use low-carb tortillas if you like.

Cheeses. You’ll need cream cheese for sure for this recipe. And a few slices of provolone cheese. Again, you could use low-fat cream cheese if you want to cut a few calories but you can’t skip the cream cheese altogether. But you could also use sliced mozzarella cheese instead of provolone or add in some parmesan for a little more Italian flavor.

Italian Meats. This recipe includes three different kinds of Italian deli meats: Hard Salami, Ham, and Pepperoni slices. I highly recommend this combo, but you could certainly try other types of meat or use any sandwich meat you have on hand, including turkey, chicken, genoa salami, prosciutto, or even bacon! Y’all know I’ll put bacon on anything!

Fresh Veggies.  To make the recipe as written, you’ll need Roma tomato, romaine lettuce, and pepperoncini. Other options might be banana peppers, green or red peppers, and spinach (instead of or along with lettuce).

Herbs. I use a premade Italian seasoning mix in the cream cheese mixture, but if you want to make your own, be sure to include garlic powder, oregano, basil, rosemary and/or thyme.

Find the complete recipe with a full list of ingredients measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Italian Pinwheels

This pinwheel recipe is really easy to pull together and I have step-by-step photos for you to help!

1. First, add the room temperature cream cheese and Italian seasoning to a small bowl and stir well until combined.
2. Dice the pepperoncini and Roma tomato. 
3. Add to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture and mix it all together.
4. Chop or tear the lettuce into small pieces.
5. Spoon ¼ of the mixture onto each large tortilla and spread the cream cheese spread across the entire surface.
6. Sprinkle ¼ of the lettuce over the cream cheese mixture on each tortilla.
7. Lay out 3 slices of cheese in the center of the tortilla.
8. Next, you’re going to layer the first two types of meat: 3 slices of salami and 3 slices of ham over the cheese in the center of each tortilla.
9. Then add 4-8 slices of pepperoni on each side of the meat and cheese layers. 
10. Starting from one end where the pepperoni is, tightly roll the tortilla into itself, until you meet the other end.
11. Set rolled tortillas on a baking sheet and pop them in the fridge for at least an hour. If longer than one hour, you may want to wrap in plastic wrap.
12. Remove from the refrigerator right before serving.
13. Cut off about 2 inches on each end, then cut each tortilla roll into bite-size 1-inch slices.
14. Lay flat on a platter or tray to serve. You can even prep these ahead of time and they are delicious as leftovers if they’re stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

More Pinwheel Ingredients

These Italian Pinwheels can be changed up to suit your tastes. Here is a list of other ingredients you might use:

• Spinach Wrap or Tortillas
• Low Carb Tortillas
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese
• Green Bell Peppers
• Red Bell Peppers
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Red Onion
• Black Olives
• Roma Tomatoes
• Spinach

Pro Tips

Use a sharp serrated knife for clean cuts when you’re cutting up each tortilla wrap.

Serving Suggestions

These Italian Roll-Ups are a great appetizer, party food, or finger food for family gatherings. You can even make them for a quick lunch that is filling and delicious.

FAQ

Need more appetizer ideas? Check out these easy recipes:

• Meatball and Cheese Sliders
• Cold Veggie Pizza with Crescent Rolls (An Easy Appetizer)
• Marinated Cheese Appetizer: Perfect Party Food!
• Cranberry BBQ Meatballs (made from scratch or from frozen!)
• How to Make Candied Bacon in the Oven (A Step-by-Step Guide with Pictures)
• How to Make an Easy Pine Cone Cheese Ball With Almonds & Bacon
• Bacon, Parmesan & Cream Cheese Crescent Pinwheels
• The Ultimate Guide to Super Bowl Meatballs
• Sausage Balls with Red Lobster Biscuit Mix
• Easy Layered Taco Dip (Old El Paso Taco Dip Recipe)
• Smoked Cream Cheese Dip with Corn, Black Beans, and Bacon