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Using storebought puff pastry makes these Prosciutto Gruyere Pinwheels a snap to prepare! These easy appetizers are ideal for any occasion! Try them on game day, for cocktail or dinner parties, or big family gatherings!

Puff Pastry Appetizers are always a hit! Just stock up on a few items like frozen puff pastry, a chunk of Gruyere cheese, and packaged prosciutto. You’ll be happy you did as these make an elegant starter!

Close view of Prosciutto, Gruyere and Basil Pinwheels on a white ceramic tray with 2 forks.
Table of Contents hide
1 Why You Must Make
2 Expert Tips
3 Frequently Asked Questions
4 You May Also Like
5 Prosciutto, Gruyere and Basil Pinwheels

Why You Must Make

  • They’re super easy to make using frozen puff pastry.
  • The results are tasty and elegant!
  • Who doesn’t like the combo of ham and cheese AKA prosciutto and Gruyere???

Between cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, and New Year’s celebrations, my kitchen is hopping this time of year. I was invited to cocktails with some fun ladies one Friday night, and I knew I couldn’t arrive empty-handed.

I pulled some puff pastry from my freezer and started brainstorming about the delicious savory pinwheels I could make. This prosciutto, Gruyere, and basil version was perfect with a nice crisp glass of white wine around a roaring fire.

Overhead view of Prosciutto, Gruyere and Basil Pinwheels on a rectangular white ceramic tray.

Expert Tips

  • Use an all-butter puff pastry brand like Dufour or Trader Joe’s. The flavor is so much better!
  • Once the puff pastry is thawed, give it a quick roll to smooth the seams.
  • PRO-Tip: Brush with an egg wash before adding the fillings to help the filling adhere to the puff pastry, along with sealing the ends after rolling.
  • Layer the filling ingredients evenly so each slice will have equal amounts of Prosciutto and Gruyere cheese.
  • PRO-Tip: Remember that puff pastry works best when the dough is cold and the oven is hot.
  • If your kitchen is warm or your dough sits out too long, it would be wise to put your baking sheet with the unbaked pinwheels into the refrigerator to cool off for a bit.
  • PRO-Tip: The rule of thumb for the flakiest puff pastry is to bake it COLD in a HOT oven.
  • PRO-Tip: Using a good quality of puff pastry is key to making the best pinwheels. Look for a brand with butter in the ingredients like DuFour or the Trader Joe’s Brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Puff Pastry?

Puff Pastry or Pate Feuillettée is a “rich, delicate, multilayered pastry.” The latter is a French term that translates to “pastry made leaf-like.”
It’s most commonly made by placing butter between two layers of pastry dough, rolling it, folding it, then resting and chilling. This is called lamination and was first mentioned in a Spanish cookbook in the early 1600s.
This process is repeated a few times making many, many layers of dough and butter. When baked, the butter releases steam, resulting in multiple layers of flaky pastry. Croissants and Palmiers are both made with puff pastry dough.

How Do You Roll Puff Pastry Pinwheels?

First, the filling ingredients are spread evenly over the puff pastry. Using a piece of parchment or a Silpat under the sheet of pastry to guide the rolling, start at the long end and lifting the parchment, begin to roll tightly until the dough forms a cylinder.

How to Store Puff Pastry Pinwheels?

Since the pinwheels contain prosciutto, a perishable ingredient, they need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat to serve. They will be good for up to 4 days if stored properly.

Can You Freeze Puff Pastry Pinwheels?

Yes, they freeze well. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat to serve.
You can also freeze the unbaked slices on a sheet pan, then store those in a freezer-weight Ziploc bag for up to a month. Bake frozen, but add a few more minutes of cooking time.

You May Also Like

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Close view of Prosciutto, Gruyere and Basil Pinwheels on a white ceramic tray with 2 forks
The Recipe:

Prosciutto, Gruyere and Basil Pinwheels

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Yield 20 pinwheels

An easy semi-homemade appetizer using puff pastry and packaged prosciutto

5.0 Stars (53 Reviews)

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 4 ounces, very thinly sliced prosciutto
  • 1 14 ounce sheet all butter frozen puff pastry, thawed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400º. Line two baking sheets with parchment and set them aside.
  2. Beat egg and water together in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. Lightly flour work surface. Roll out puff pastry lightly, just to smooth. Brush the surface with the beaten egg. Sprinkle basil over the surface, then sprinkle with cheese.
  4. Arrange prosciutto over top of the cheese.
  5. Starting at the long side, roll up the dough like a jelly roll.
  6. Slice at scant ½-inch intervals and place rounds on baking sheets. Brush with egg wash.
  7. If the dough has become warm, pop in the refrigerator to chill for a bit.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes or till golden brown. Remove to wire racks and cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Puff pastry bakes best when it's cold. If your sliced unbaked pinwheels have gotten warm, pop them in the refrigerator to chill before baking.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 325mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g

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© Liz Berg
Cuisine: American / Category: Appetizers