When you roll sausage in dough and slice it real thin the little spirals that come out is called sausage pinwheels. Theyre a snack that a lot of folks like at get-togethers cause theyre simple and taste great. You can eat them warm or cold and they goes with lots of dips so it dont get boring.
Theyre handy for small parties or just a movie night with friends, and both kids and grown-ups usually eat em up fast. You can swith out the sausage or cheese to make different flavours, so everyone feels like theres somethin just for them.
In this guide we gonna cover what sausage pinwheels is, what you need, and how to make em step by step. Plus well share some tips to make them even better, give some nutrition info, and show you easy ways to mix things up.
What Are Sausage Pinwheels?
Sausage pinwheels is a kind of savory snack where you mix seasoned sausage with dough, roll it up, then cut into bite-size spirals. Most folks use breakfast sausage but you can use Italian sausage or even veggie sausage if you want. The swirl look is fun and it makes a simple snack feel special.
These pinwheels got popular in American party food culture cause theyre cheap, easy to make, and you dont need fancy tools. Over time people have swapped in all sorts of cheeses, spices, and fillings to keep things fresh.
Some common versions include spicy sausage with jalapenos, cheesy pinwheels with cream cheese or cheddar, and even vegetarian ones made with plant-based sausage. That way they fit most diets and keep the snack table looking cool.
Ingredients for Sausage Pinwheels
The main stuff you need is sausage and dough, but you can add extras to boost the taste. Heres the basic list:
- Primary Ingredients:
- Sausage: Use breakfast sausage for a classic taste or spicy sausage for a bit of a kick.
- Crescent dough or puff pastry: Ready-made dough makes it simple, and it bakes up flaky and golden.
- Additional Ingredients:
- Cheese: Cream cheese for smoothness or shredded cheddar for extra flavour.
- Herbs and spices: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or whatever you like.
- Optional add-ins: Try chopped bell peppers, green onions, or bacon bits.
Detailed Recipe for Sausage Pinwheels
Ingredients List
- 1 pound sausage (breakfast or your fave kind)
- 1 can crescent roll dough (or puff pastry)
- 1 cup cheese (shredded cheddar or cream cheese)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped green onions or bell peppers
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Sausage Mixture
In a skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbled. Drain extra fat and stir in cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and any veggies you added.
3. Roll Out the Dough
Unroll the crescent dough or puff pastry on a clean surface. If using crescent dough, pinch seams together so it dont come apart.
4. Spread the Filling
Spread the sausage mix over the dough, leaving a small border so the filling wont spill out.
5. Rolling and Cutting the Pinwheels
Starting at one end, roll the dough up tight to the other side. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into 1-inch pieces.
6. Baking
Put the pinwheels on a greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for 15–20 minutes or till theyre golden brown.
7. Serving Suggestions
Arrange them on a plate and serve with ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or whatever dip you like.
Tips for Making the Perfect Sausage Pinwheels
To make these even better, try these hacks:
- Dough Swaps: Use phyllo or biscuit dough for a different texture.
- Extra Flavour: Add smoked paprika, cumin, or fresh herbs.
- Make-ahead and Freezing: Roll and slice them, then freeze on a tray. When you want to bake, add a few extra minutes, no need to thaw.
- Side Pairings: These go great with a fresh salad or veggie platter.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition changes based on ingrediants but heres a rough idea per pinwheel:
- Calories: Around 150–200
- Protein: About 6–10 grams
- Fat: 10–15 grams
If you need gluten-free or vegetarian, just swap to gluten-free dough or plant-based sausage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these goof-ups:
- Undercooking sausage: Make sure its fully cooked before mixing.
- Loose seams: Pinch dough edges well so filling stay inside.
- Roll too tight or loose: Too tight and the filling squishes out, too loose and they fall apart.
- Wrong dough or bland seasoning: Stick to good dough types and dont be shy with spices.
Variants of Sausage Pinwheels
You can keep these fresh by trying:
- Spicy version: Add jalapenos or hot sauce.
- Vegetarian: Use plant-based sausage.
- Sweet pinwheels: Swap sausage for cinnamon-sugar and fruit like apple or cherry.
FAQs
How do you make sausage pinwheels from scratch?
Pick your sausage, season it how you like, cook it, roll it in dough, slice, and bake as above.
What types of sausage can I use for pinwheels?
You can use breakfast, Italian, spicy, or even veggie sausage—whatever fits your taste.
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Yes, puff pastry makes them flakier and more buttery.
How can I make sausage pinwheels ahead of time?
Roll and slice them, then store unbaked in fridge up to 24 hours or freeze for later.
Can I freeze unbaked sausage pinwheels?
Yep, wrap em tight and bake straight from the freezer, just add a few more minutes.
Conclusion
Sausage pinwheels is a tasty, easy snack thats perfect for any kinda party. Mix and match flavours, make em in advance, and watch them disappear fast!
sausage pinwheels
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper optional
- 1 rolling pin
- 1 mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup cooked breakfast sausage crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg beaten for egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled sausage, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough on a lightly floured surface. Pinch the seams together to form a single sheet.
- Spread the sausage mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting from one end, carefully roll the dough into a log shape, making sure to keep it tight. Seal the edges by pinching them together.
- Slice the log into 1-inch thick pinwheels, you should have about 12 pinwheels.
- Arrange the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Brush the tops with the beaten egg for a golden color.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffed up.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
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