Easy to make by using refrigerated crescent rolls, these Bacon, Cheddar and Jalapeno Pinwheels are a perfect blend of savory and spice. These are so yummy and are super simple to make!
Re-posted from January 2014.
Bacon, jalapeno and cheddar – such an amazingly delicious combination. All combined with cream cheese and rolled into pinwheel form, they are similar to a jalapeno popper, and who doesn’t love those?
There are lots of ways to customize these bad boys too:
- Can’t take the heat? Add mild green chiles instead of jalapenos. That’s what I do for my kids and you get a ton of flavor without the spice.
- Spice it up! Add a tablespoon of Ranch seasoning mix or Taco seasoning to the cream cheese for a unique and savory flavor combination.
- Want MORE heat? Add more jalapenos and some Pepper Jack cheese.
Any of these combinations would be fabulous, but I am partial to these Bacon, Cheddar and Jalapeno Pinwheels just the way they are.
How to Make Bacon, Cheddar and Jalapeno Pinwheels
Start by cooking up some diced bacon until crisp, or just use the morning’s leftovers. Wait, leftover bacon? What’s that?
Mix the bacon with some room temperature cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of diced jalapenos. Now, to be fair, I must tell you that I am a WIMP when it comes to spicy food. People usually look at me like I’m nuts when I tell them that something is spicy. So you might like spicy and you might want to add another tablespoon. It’s a personal preference. I also used canned jalapenos rather than fresh. Again, it’s a personal preference. Also you’ll want to add a half teaspoon of garlic salt.
So you spread this all out on the rolled out crescent dough and sprinkle with cheddar cheese and more bacon crumbles. Roll it into a log and slice into even 1-inch thick pieces and lay out on a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle with a little more cheddar and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Don’t they look tasty? They are warm and soft and just all around delicious! They are sure to be a hit at your next party!
Bacon, Cheddar & Jalapeno Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (or dough sheet, if you can find it)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup reserved
- 1-2 tablespoons diced jalapenos (canned or fresh)
- 5 slices crisp bacon, diced/crumbled
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix cream cheese, bacon, jalapenos and garlic salt together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Roll out crescent roll dough and lightly press seems together to form a sheet.
- Layer ingredients evenly on the dough, sprinkle with cheese reserving about 2 tablespoons for topping, and roll lengthwise.
- Cut into 1-inch slices and place 2-inches apart on a foil lined cookie sheet. Top with reserved shredded cheddar, if desired.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until bread begins to brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before plating and serving.
Here’s another jalapeno bacon recipe that we love:
Jalapeno, Bacon & Corn Cheese Dip
Need even more jalapeno? Try these great recipes:
Or maybe more baked pinwheels is what you need? We’ve got those too!
- Chicken Parmesan Pinwheels
- Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pinwheels
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Be sure to pin this to your Game Day or Appetizer board to save for later! Or check out our favorite Appetizers & Dips!
Oh my goodness! These look fantastic! Pinning these so I can make them VERY soon!
Hi
I tried this recipe last night and sadly, the pinwheels welded themselves to the tinfoil. They came off in pieces.
Parchment paper or a greased cookie sheet might work better.
So sorry they didn’t work for you! Yes definitely try them again with parchment paper.
I made these tonight and they turned out great! I used a greased cookie sheet and didn’t use the foil.
Made these tonight, took longer that expected but they look like they taste yummy! The dough was tricky to unroll though
yummm these look so good…do you think it’d work just as well with a sheet of puff pastry?
When do we put the cheddar cheese on?
It’s part of the “layer ingredients” but I added it in to make it clear. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
I made these today for our Bible Study Class. The recipe turned out great and everyone was asking about them. There were none left for me to take home. I did eat the “ends” as they came out of the oven. ha.
Could you use Pillsbury Pizza dough for these? or does it have to be Pillsbury Crescent Rolls?
thanks!
I think you could probably use the pizza dough if you rolled it out thin. Just be careful though, it’s heavier though and might get tough.
if you use fresh jalapenos, you can take out the seeds and vains and that takes out the hot
Has anyone tried freezing these yummy-sounding babies before baking them? I’d live to have some in the freezer to pop in when un-expected company arrives… 😉
I haven’t, but let us know how it works if you do!
You mention using a dough sheet . Would puff pastry work ?
I haven’t tried that so I can’t say. But if you do try let us know how it turns out!
I might be missing this step but after I later the ingredients, do I roll it up and then cut the dough or do I make slices and then roll?
It’s in step #4. You roll and then slice.
How many does this recipe make?
It makes about 10. It really depends on how thick you slice the pieces.
How many pieces does this make?
Found your recipe on Pinterest awhile ago and tried it today to bring to a super bowl party. No joke, soooo easy! Definitely want to try mixing it up in the future with variations.
I made these for lunch today. I used 1/2 roll of cooked breakfast sausage instead of bacon so my boyfriend would eat them (he isn’t a bacon fan, gasp!). They turned out really good! Thank you!
Hi Kristin, I just took these out of the oven and I’ve ate 3 already (could’ve ate more) anyway, they were so yummy! I had trouble cutting them without squishing them so I put the roll in the freezer for a few minutes and it really seemed to help with the slicing. Thanks for sharing!
That’s a great tip, thanks for sharing!
This is one of my most loved recipes! Making it for the second time! Thank you for sharing!
I tried these tonight. I cooked mind just a little to long and had put to much cheese on top but they still tasted good. I used a little flower on my hands to help when working with the dough. I will try other variations cause my husband can’t handle spicy foods. Thanks
Hi there! Recipe looks fabulous! I’m working on my upcoming Halloween party already and I want to be able to prep as much food as I can ahead of time. Do you think I would be able to make these a few days before and freeze them? Perhaps popping them in the oven to toast them up before the party starts? Any suggestions would be most appreciated, thanks!
I haven’t tried freezing, but I would think that would work. Please let us know if you try it!
These look great and super easy. Did you use fresh jalapeños or jarred/canned? thanks for sharing a great recipe
I used the canned. But you could use fresh…they just wouldn’t be as soft.
Do you think you could make this recipe as a pull apart “monkey” bread recipe?
Hmmm I haven’t tried that, but not sure how it would work with the cream cheese.
Just made these for lunch and they are amazing! I ended up using the whole 8oz of cream cheese but I love cream cheese so it was great. I do wish I would have rolled it a little tighter and maybe stuck it in the freezer for a minute so cutting looked prettier but it was still a success!
I have searched this tirelessly for the chicken Parmesan meatball recipe. It will NOT come up in the search engine. Please help??? Would love to try it. Thank you.
Hi Deborah, I don’t have a chicken parmesan meatball recipe. Sorry!
Thanks for your reply. I was beginning to realise that you might not have the recipe, but it comes up as being on your site through Pinterest. Somehow it is pictured as your recipe.
I’ve seen that, sorry! I don’t know why that is. I would do a google search. I’m sure you’ll fin something that way!
I think you could use dental floss to cut the dough. That is what I use to cut my cinnamon rolls.
Yes, you could (just make sure it’s the unflavored kind!)
No one in my house likes spicy anything. I’m going to try these but skip the peppers & add shredded chicken. Can’t wait to try it!
I think that would be delicious!
Have made these several times and loved them!
I used the softened cream cheese with jalapeños in it. Was easy to make and delicious. I too cooked them a little longer but just waited till they browned a bit.
Thanks for the great recipe!
That’s a great idea!
Could these be made without cream cheese do you think? I am making them for a pot luck and the host doesn’t like cream cheese…
Cream cheese is what binds the filling together.
I make something very similar with just sausage and the crescent rolls. I wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them until I need them. Take out a few minutes before cooking and the slice very nicely. I wouldn’t think there would be any problem freezing cream cheese, etc.