Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels: The Ultimate Appetizer Twist 🐟🥐✨
These Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels are everything you want in a starter: flaky, creamy, herby, and irresistibly fancy-looking with almost no effort. Perfect for brunch spreads, cocktail parties, or holiday hors d’oeuvres, they combine buttery pastry with zesty herbs, creamy goat cheese, and silky smoked salmon.
Served warm or at room temperature, these pinwheels always disappear fast—so make a double batch if you’re feeding a crowd!
Why I Love This Recipe
These pinwheels are:
- Fast and easy with store-bought puff pastry
- Elegant and crowd-pleasing—great for impressing guests
- Loaded with flavor from lemon zest, herbs, and tangy cheese
- Versatile—they’re brunch, lunch, and appetizer-ready
They’re the savory counterpart to crowd-pleasers like baked brie or beer cheese dip, but with a refined, fresh twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and ready-rolled
- 100g smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- 150g goat cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
✅ Tip: Use cold puff pastry straight from the fridge—it rolls cleaner and bakes flakier.
How to Make Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Pinwheels (Step-by-Step)
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Filling
In a small bowl, stir together:
- Goat cheese
- Dill
- Chives
- Lemon zest
- Black pepper
Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Assemble the Pinwheels
Lay the puff pastry flat on a clean surface. Spread the herbed goat cheese mixture evenly across the entire sheet.
Top with an even layer of smoked salmon slices, making sure to reach the corners for every-bite flavor.
4. Roll and Slice
Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the pastry into a log. Use a sharp knife to slice into 1-inch thick pinwheels.
Place the slices cut side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Egg Wash and Bake
Brush the tops with beaten egg to promote a golden, glossy finish.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and deeply golden.
6. Cool and Serve
Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for Perfect Pinwheels
- Use cold pastry: It’s easier to roll and keeps the shape better during baking.
- Sharp knife = clean slices: A serrated or very sharp blade helps preserve the spiral.
- Customize herbs: Add tarragon, thyme, or even a bit of Dijon mustard for variation.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These pinwheels are ideal for:
- Brunch boards with soft-boiled eggs and fruit
- Cocktail hour alongside easy turkey wings
- Paired with sheet pan quesadillas for a savory finger food spread
- Added to a charcuterie board with olives and mini pickles
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 175°C (350°F) oven for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp.
- Freeze: Freeze unbaked pinwheels and bake straight from frozen—just add 2–3 extra minutes.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for more snackable, crowd-pleasing starters? Try these:
Final Thoughts
Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels are proof that a few ingredients can create something showstopping. Easy to prep, beautiful to present, and always flavorful—these bites belong on your next brunch table or holiday spread.
Tried them? Tag @ChefManiac with your pinwheel creations! And don’t forget to follow Chef Maniac for more easy-to-elegant appetizer recipes and entertaining-friendly bites.
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