Delightful Sausage Pinwheels: An Easy Appetizer Inspired by Pioneer Woman

Sausage pinwheels are a timeless classic, renowned for their simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor. These savory bites are incredibly versatile, perfect as a quick appetizer, a fun breakfast treat, or a surefire hit at any gathering, from game day celebrations to holiday feasts. If you’re searching for an effortless recipe that embodies the hearty, home-style cooking spirit often associated with the Pioneer Woman, look no further than these delightful sausage pinwheels.

Sausage pinwheel appetizers on a white plate, ready to serve.

The beauty of sausage pinwheels lies in their minimal ingredient list and straightforward preparation. Inspired by the kind of practical, delicious recipes championed by home cooking enthusiasts like the Pioneer Woman, this recipe uses readily available ingredients to create something truly special. Imagine taking the comforting flavors of breakfast sausage and cream cheese, wrapping them in flaky crescent roll dough, and baking them to golden perfection. The result is a savory, bite-sized morsel that is guaranteed to disappear quickly.

This recipe is a nostalgic nod to simple pleasures, reminiscent of home-cooked meals that bring people together. Just like the Pioneer Woman’s recipes, these sausage pinwheels are all about creating delicious food without unnecessary fuss, making them ideal for busy weeknights or when you need to whip up something impressive with minimal effort.

Why This Sausage Pinwheels Recipe Will Become Your Go-To

Grab-and-Go Goodness: Perfectly portioned, these pinwheels are ideal as a handheld appetizer, a quick breakfast on the run, or a satisfying snack any time of day.
Effortless Elegance: With just a handful of ingredients, you can create an appetizer that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. They are simple to assemble, making them perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
A Universal Favorite: From kids to adults, everyone loves sausage pinwheels. Their savory flavor and flaky texture make them irresistible, and you’ll likely find yourself sharing the recipe far and wide.
Make-Ahead Marvel: Planning ahead? No problem! These sausage pinwheels can be prepared in advance, saving you valuable time when you’re hosting or simply want a stress-free meal.

Simple Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

Breakfast Sausage: The heart of these pinwheels, breakfast sausage provides a savory and satisfying base. You can choose your favorite type, from mild to spicy, to customize the flavor.
Crescent Roll Dough: Pre-made crescent roll dough is the secret to the pinwheels’ flaky and tender crust. It simplifies the process and ensures consistent results every time.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a luscious filling that binds the sausage and adds a creamy tanginess that complements the savory sausage perfectly.
Green Onions: Finely chopped green onions bring a touch of freshness and subtle oniony flavor, as well as a pop of color to the filling.
Garlic Powder: A hint of garlic powder enhances the overall savory profile of the pinwheels, adding depth and complexity without overpowering the other flavors.

Ingredients for sausage pinwheels: breakfast sausage roll, crescent rolls can, cream cheese, green onion, garlic powder.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Perfect Sausage Pinwheels

Follow these easy steps to create sausage pinwheels that are as delicious as they are simple to make, mirroring the straightforward approach favored by the Pioneer Woman in her cooking.

Get Started: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This ensures a light and airy filling. Stir in the garlic powder and finely chopped green onions, mixing until well combined.
Incorporate the Sausage: Cook your breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling it as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain off any excess grease. Add the cooked and crumbled sausage to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.

Cream cheese and sausage mixture in a bowl, ready to be spread on crescent dough.

Assemble the Pinwheels: Unroll the crescent dough onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Gently pinch together any perforations in the dough to create one seamless rectangle. This will provide a uniform surface for spreading the filling.
Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the cream cheese and sausage mixture over the crescent dough, ensuring it reaches the edges.

Cream cheese sausage mixture spread evenly on crescent roll dough.

Roll and Chill: Starting from one long side, carefully roll up the crescent dough into a log. Wrap the log tightly in parchment paper, then in plastic wrap. Place it on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Chilling the roll is crucial for easy slicing and maintaining the pinwheel shape.

Sausage roll wrapped in plastic wrap and parchment paper, chilling on a baking sheet.

Slice and Bake: Remove the sausage roll from the freezer and unwrap it. Slice the roll into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the pinwheels onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Let the sausage pinwheels rest on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows them to set slightly and cool down enough to handle.

Unbaked sausage pinwheels neatly arranged on a baking sheet.

Baked sausage pinwheels golden brown and ready to eat on a baking sheet.

Heather’s Expert Tips for Perfect Pinwheels

Cream Cheese Perfection: Ensure your cream cheese is properly softened by letting it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting. This makes it incredibly creamy and easy to mix and spread.
Drain the Grease: After cooking the sausage, be sure to drain off any excess grease thoroughly. Patting the sausage with paper towels helps remove even more grease, preventing soggy pinwheels.
Chill Out: Don’t skip the chilling time! Freezing the sausage roll for an hour is essential. It firms up the dough and filling, allowing for clean slices and preventing the pinwheels from falling apart.
Roll it Tight: When rolling the dough into a log, aim for a tight roll. This helps keep all the delicious filling inside and creates a neat pinwheel shape.
Make Ahead Like a Pro: These pinwheels are fantastic for prepping ahead. Assemble them, slice them, and store them in the refrigerator (not freezer at this stage) until you’re ready to bake.

Delicious Variations to Try

Spice it Up: Add a can of diced green chilies to the cream cheese mixture for a zesty kick.
Italian Inspired: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning into the cream cheese filling and serve with marinara sauce for dipping – a delightful twist!
Veggie Boost: Incorporate finely diced red bell pepper for added color, crunch, and a touch of sweetness.

Close up of hand holding a warm sausage pinwheel, showcasing the flaky layers.

Storing and Reheating Your Pinwheels

Storing: Keep leftover sausage pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: To reheat, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through.

Freezing: For longer storage, let the baked pinwheels cool completely. Freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

More Savory Sausage Recipes You’ll Love

Sausage crescent pinwheels arranged on a plate, showcasing their golden brown color.

If you enjoyed these sausage pinwheels, be sure to explore other easy and delicious sausage recipes for more culinary inspiration!

Sausage Pinwheels Recipe Card

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 15 pinwheels

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Ingredients:

1 roll (1 lb) breakfast sausage
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 oz) crescent rolls
1 green onion, finely diced
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

Cook breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, crumbling as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
In a mixing bowl, whip softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until extra smooth (optional, but recommended). Stir in garlic powder, cooked sausage, and diced green onion until well combined.
Unroll crescent roll dough onto parchment paper. Do not separate the rolls. Pinch seams together to form a large rectangle.
Spread sausage mixture evenly over the crescent dough rectangle. Roll up tightly lengthwise into a log. Wrap in parchment paper and plastic wrap. Freeze for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove sausage roll from freezer and unwrap. Cut into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Place pinwheels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Video:

Sausage Pinwheels Recipe Video

Recipe Notes:

Soften Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
Drain Grease: Drain excess grease from cooked sausage to avoid soggy pinwheels.
Chill the Roll: Freezing the roll is crucial for easy slicing.
Roll Tightly: Roll dough tightly for best results.
Make Ahead: Prepare ahead and store in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition Information:

*Nutritional information is an approximation.

Additional Information:

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Enjoy these delightful sausage pinwheels! Leave a comment below if you try them!

Check out more crescent roll recipes for more easy baking ideas.