Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

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Published: . Last Updated: by: Ginny McMeans

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Spicy Tortilla Rollups are layers of flavor starting with a spicy pesto base and ending with fresh baby spinach. Roll up tight, slice, and pop in your mouth.

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (1)

We often have big holiday parties with a mix of family and friends. They all know each other from years past so it is always lots offun!

One of the things I have learned as a host is to prepare as much as I can in advance and make it simple.

I'd really like toshare a recipeI made using one of Tabasco's sauces. It's not the splash here and splashes there of a very hot seasoningbut an actualsauce that is used in recipes as a flavoring.

Don't get me wrong. You can put it all over anytaco to your heart's content but for this party, I would like to take advantage ofits smoky pepper sauce flavor and treat the guests to something special.

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2)

We'll all be in the party mood in no time. Also, my roll-ups are all gone so I need to go shopping again. That's okay though.

Spicy Tortilla Rollupsonly take a few minutesto prepare.


I would love to tell you a little story. Years ago, I was very lucky and I got to visit Tabasco's McIlhenny Co. on Avery Island in Louisiana.

I will never forget it - meaning it was so cool.

You drive onto the island passing huge oaks with Spanish moss dripping from the limbs. The 'factory' was a beautiful big old sprawling brick building.

A tour guy took us inside and there were lots of vats and I remember two levels. We had to wear masks like those painters masks because of the pepper fumes. I loved it!

Needless to say, he took us through this area very quickly, and then we got to the bottling area. All these little bottles lined up and being filled by ingenious machinery.

Capped and labeled and ready to enjoy. I still have my little 2" bottle souvenir. Unopened, of course. Right in the front corner of my pantry.

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (3)

🥘 Ingredients

  • Whole wheat tortillas wrap everything up in nice little packages.
  • Sun-dried tomato pesto can be homemade and vegan and adds so much flavor.
  • Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce is milder than the red sauce. You may use any green tomatillo sauce that you like.
  • Roasted red bell peppersare mildly sweet and add a great flavor to your wrap.
  • Red onion gives a flavor contrast in a milder way than other onions.
  • Black olives have a cooling texture that adds a hint of the Mediterranean.
  • Baby spinach gives lots of bulk and nutrition.
  • Toothpicks help hold the pinwheels together.
Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (4)

🔪 Instructions

  • Add the pesto and Tabasco Jalapeno Sauce to a small bowl . Mix well and set aside.
  • This is a great organizational tip - lay all of your tortillas out on your clean counter.
  • This 'factory-style' makes everything go very quickly and you can see that you are dividing all of your ingredients evenly.
  • Spread thesun dried tomato pesto(link for homemade pesto) mixture all over each tortilla in a thin even layer. It is only about 2 teaspoons each tortilla.
  • Keep in mind - when you go to lay the layers that you just want a bite of this and that in each bite that you take.
  • Lay strips of the roasted red bell peppers all in one direction. Widely spaced all over each tortilla.
  • Sprinkle sliced black olives, about 5 olives, on each tortilla.
  • Lightly sprinkle the finely diced red onion over each tortilla.
  • Lay about 5 to 7 baby spinach leaves on each tortilla. These actually touch and sometimes overlay each other.
  • Don’t go all the way to the top edge with the spinach. Leave at least an inch so that when you roll up the tortilla the spinach stays inside the tortilla and does not stick out.
Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (5)

Roll up the pinwheels

  • Roll up each tortilla as tight as you can going the direction where the red bell peppers are laying widthwise as you roll.
  • Lay on a cutting board.
  • Stick a toothpick in the exact center of the tortilla to keep it closed. Not too close to the edge so that the tortilla does not tear. Grab quit a bit of the tortilla with the toothpick. See my photos for a visual.
  • Now, you are looking down at the tortilla with a toothpick grasping the center. About every 1 ½" or so, to the left and right, stick another toothpick all the way through to help keep the tortilla closed. It's a good look too.
  • Next, with a very sharp knife slice through the tortilla in the center space between each toothpick. You will get 6 spicy tortilla rollups out of each tortilla. The ends are to go in a baggie and eaten as a snack – later. Or now 🙂
Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (6)

💭 Can you make-ahead rollups

Yes! Lay the cut roll-ups in a hard-sided container. Cover with its lid or with saran wrap.

You want to keep the air out so they don't dry up. Refrigerate until the party.

They will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Here's one more picture but of another delicious and very popular roll-up. Pesto Tortilla Rollups!

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (7)

📋 Recipe

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (8)

Spicy Tortilla Rollups

Ginny McMeans

Spicy Tortilla Rollups are layers of flavor starting with a spicy pesto base and ending with fresh baby spinach.

5 from 8 votes

Print Save

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 60 Rollups

Calories 36 kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 whole wheat tortillas
  • ¼ cup sun dried tomato pesto
  • 2 tablespoons Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce
  • 8 ounces roasted red bell peppers - you can buy them in a jar
  • ¼ cup onion - finely diced red onion
  • 15 ounces black olives - about 15 ounce can, large pitted black olives, sliced
  • 10 ounces baby spinach
  • toothpicks

Instructions

  • To a small bowl add the pesto and Tabasco Jalapeno Sauce. Mix well and set aside.

  • Lay all of your tortillas out on the counter. This makes everything go very quickly and you can see that you are dividing all of your ingredients evenly.

  • Spread the sun dried tomato pesto mixture all over each tortilla in a thin even layer. It is only about 2 teaspoons each tortilla.

  • When you go to lay the layers keep in mind that you just want a bite of this and that in each bite that you take.

  • Lay strips of the roasted red bell peppers all in one direction. About 5 strips, widely spaced all over each tortilla.

  • Sprinkle about 5 black olives, sliced, on each tortilla.

  • Lightly sprinkle the finely diced red onion over each tortilla.

  • Lay about 5 to 7 baby spinach leaves on each tortilla. These actually touch and sometimes overlay each other. Don’t go all the way to the top edge with the spinach. Leave at least an inch so that when you roll up the tortilla the spinach stays inside the tortilla and does not stick out.

  • Roll up each tortilla as tight as you can going the direction where the red bell peppers are laying widthwise as you roll.

  • Lay on a cutting board.

  • Stick a toothpick in the exact center of the tortilla to keep it closed. Not too close to the edge so that the tortilla does not tear. Grab quit a bit of the tortilla with the toothpick. See my photos for a visual.

  • Now, you are looking down at the tortilla with a toothpick grasping the center. About every 1 ½" or so, to the left and right, stick another toothpick to help keep the tortilla closed.

  • Next, with a very sharp knife slice through the tortilla in the center space between each toothpick. You will get 6 appetizer rounds out of each tortilla. The ends are to go in a baggie and eaten as a snack – later.

Nutrition

Serving: 3RollupsCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 4gFat: 1gSodium: 234mgPotassium: 36mgVitamin A: 495IUVitamin C: 3.5mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.4mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (9)

More Appetizer Recipes

  • How To Make Vegan Jalapeno Poppers
  • Fruit Salsa Recipe and Cinnamon Chips
  • Homemade Tomato Bruschetta
  • Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Becky M.

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (14)
    I made these twice this weekend and they were delicious! the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto makes the roll ups! I added spinach leaves as a base on the tortilla before layering the ingredients, and I added a layer of thinly sliced mushrooms on top of the olives. I still topped the ingredients with spinach leaves, too, but had the mushrooms on hand and tried them with my second batch! This recipe is a keeper!

  2. Ginny McMeans

    That is just great Becky! I love them too (blush) but I also really like your addition of mushrooms to the second batch. It's a great way to use extra veggies. Thanks so much for letting us know!

  3. Adrienne

    Be sure to check your pesto - I bought it without checking ingredients and there is cheese in it. Now I'm kind of scrambling with what to do for my vegan guest...

« Older Comments

Spicy Tortilla Rollups Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

FAQs

How do I keep my pinwheels from getting soggy? ›

A heaping cup will result in a drippy filling and soggy tortilla. There's no need to drain the chiles, though. The small amount of liquid in a can of chopped green chiles adds to the creamy texture of the filling. And don't skip the plastic wrap step—this is the best way to keep the roll-ups from getting soggy.

Can you freeze pinwheel sandwiches? ›

Can you freeze pinwheels? Yes, pinwheels freeze very well for up to two months. To freeze, line the pinwheels on a baking sheet or platter so they aren't touching and place in the freezer to flash freeze. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours then transfer to a freezer-safe storage bag.

Can pinwheels be made night before? ›

How Far Ahead Can I Make Tortilla Pinwheels? This is an easy make-ahead appetizer or snack. You can make these the day before you're ready to serve them and keep them wrapped, whole, in the fridge for at least 4 hours or up to 24.

How long do pinwheels last in fridge? ›

How Long will Pinwheels Keep in the Refrigerator? You can store pinwheels in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure to reheat them in the oven before serving so the pastry can crisp back up.

Do you freeze pinwheels before or after cooking? ›

Storing - you can eat puff pasty scrolls straight from the oven (SO good!) or let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container. Freezing - pinwheels can be frozen un-baked, or baked.

Can I freeze tortilla roll ups? ›

I freeze up to 1 month. Let them thaw in the fridge before serving. I love making these ahead of game day and then they're ready to go when we want to celebrate.

Can you freeze veggie pinwheels? ›

Yes, you can freeze tortilla pinwheels for up to 2 months. I would skip the spinach if you plan to freeze them as it doesn't freeze well. To freeze, cut the tortilla rolls into individual pieces and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and freeze for 2 hours.

What sandwich ingredient should not be frozen? ›

Some common sandwich fillings that DO NOT freeze well include: Hard-cooked egg whites (freezing toughens them). Jelly or jam (soaks into bread and makes it soggy). Tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, onions, etc.

Can you freeze flour tortilla pinwheels? ›

Recipe tips and variations

The flavor gets better as they chill! Feel free to make them up to 3 days in advance. Freezer: These freeze like a dream! Wrap in a double layer of plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Can you reheat pinwheels from frozen? ›

If you'd prefer them warm, you can reheat these pinwheels back in the oven for 8-10 minutes, until hot all the way through (you can reheat straight from frozen too – just add a little longer).

How long do pinwheels take to defrost? ›

Remove it from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before using. You can also microwave the pastry wrapped in paper towel for 15 seconds on each side to speed up the thawing process. You can make a homemade puff pastry recipe, use store-bought, or even use pie dough to make pinwheels.

How do you assemble pinwheel sandwiches? ›

Get the Recipe

Spoon the cream cheese mixture on top and spread into a thin layer, coating the entire tortilla. Layer on the sliced cheese, deli meat, and spinach. Place it toward the bottom 1/3 of the tortilla (not the center). Roll up the tortilla and slice into pinwheels.

How do you defrost pinwheels? ›

Tips for Making Puff Pastry Pinwheels

The pre-packaged pastry says you need to thaw it overnight in the fridge, but it doesn't take nearly that long. A few hours usually does the trick, especially if you remove it from the box.

Why do my pinwheels fall apart? ›

Problem: The Pinwheels are Falling Apart

If pinwheels aren't rolled tightly or the filling is too bulky, they may not hold their shape. Solution: Use toothpicks to secure the tortilla after rolling​​. Prevention: Do not overfill the tortillas, and ensure there is enough cream cheese to hold the ingredients together​​.

Can you freeze cream cheese? ›

While cream cheese may not last long in the fridge, you can freeze it for up to two months. To use frozen cream cheese, thaw it in the fridge overnight or defrost it in the microwave. Previously frozen cream cheese will still have the same flavor as its refrigerated counterpart, but its texture may be grainy.

How do you store cooked pinwheels? ›

Ham and cheese pinwheels can be frozen in an airtight container (with layers of baking paper in between) for up to 3 months. They can be defrosted and reheated, or reheated directly from frozen.

What should be done in preparing a pinwheel sandwich? ›

It's so easy to learn how to make pinwheel sandwiches. Just lay your preferred fillings onto the wrapper of your choice, roll up, chill, slice, skewer, and serve. Have fun making the sandwiches your own special way suited to your party's theme or the tastes of you and your guests. You hardly even need a recipe.

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