I Enjoy This Recipe Because It Is Simple Yet Feels Elegant Enough For Gatherings Or Parties. The Combination Of Flaky Pastry, Savory Tapenade, And Nutty Sesame Seeds Creates A Perfect Balance Of Texture And Flavor. I Also Appreciate That These Pinwheels Can Be Prepared Ahead Of Time And Baked Just Before Serving. They Make A Great Appetizer, Snack, Or Addition To A Party Platter.
Ingredients
(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)
250 Grams Puff Pastry
5 Tablespoons Tapenade
50 Grams Parmesan, Grated
2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds
1 Egg, Beaten With A Splash Of Water
Directions
I Start By Preheating The Oven To 350°F (175°C). Then I Line Two Baking Trays With Parchment Paper So The Pinwheels Do Not Stick During Baking.
Next, I Place The Puff Pastry On A Lightly Floured Work Surface And Unroll It Carefully. I Spread The Tapenade Over The Pastry In An Even Layer While Leaving About A 1/4 Inch Border Around The Edges. After That, I Sprinkle The Grated Parmesan Evenly Over The Tapenade.
Starting From One Of The Short Ends, I Roll The Pastry Tightly Into A Log Shape. Once It Is Rolled, I Place It In The Refrigerator For About 30 Minutes So It Firms Up And Becomes Easier To Slice.
After Chilling, I Use A Very Sharp Knife To Cut The Log Into About 1/4 Inch Thick Circles. I Arrange The Pinwheels On The Prepared Baking Sheets, Leaving About One Inch Of Space Between Each Piece.
I Brush Each Pinwheel With The Beaten Egg And Sprinkle Sesame Seeds Over The Top.
Finally, I Bake The Pinwheels For About 15 To 20 Minutes Until They Turn Golden And Crisp.
Servings And Timing
This Recipe Makes About 18 Pinwheels. The Total Time Is Approximately 1 Hour And 5 Minutes, Including Preparation, Chilling, And Baking Time.
Variations
I Like Experimenting With Different Flavors When I Make These Pinwheels. Sometimes I Add A Little Crumbled Feta Cheese Along With The Parmesan For Extra Saltiness. I Also Enjoy Adding Finely Chopped Sun-Dried Tomatoes For A Slightly Tangy Flavor. When I Want A Spicier Version, I Mix A Small Amount Of Chili Flakes Into The Tapenade Before Spreading It On The Pastry. For A Different Texture, I Occasionally Sprinkle Some Poppy Seeds Along With The Sesame Seeds.
Storage/Reheating
I Store Leftover Pinwheels In An Airtight Container In The Refrigerator For Up To 3 Days. When I Want To Serve Them Again, I Warm Them In The Oven At 325°F For About 5 To 7 Minutes Until They Become Crisp Again. I Avoid Microwaving Them Because The Pastry Can Lose Its Flaky Texture.
FAQs
Can I Make These Pinwheels Ahead Of Time?
Yes, I Often Prepare The Rolled Pastry Log Ahead Of Time And Store It In The Refrigerator. When I Am Ready To Bake, I Simply Slice The Pinwheels And Bake Them Fresh.
What Is Tapenade?
Tapenade Is A Savory Spread Usually Made From Olives, Olive Oil, Capers, And Sometimes Anchovies. I Love Using It Because It Adds A Deep And Rich Flavor To The Pinwheels.
Can I Use Store-Bought Puff Pastry?
Yes, I Usually Use Store-Bought Puff Pastry Because It Is Convenient And Still Produces Light, Flaky Results.
How Do I Keep The Pinwheels Even When Slicing?
I Use A Very Sharp Knife And Chill The Rolled Pastry Before Cutting. This Helps The Log Hold Its Shape And Makes Clean Slices.
Can I Freeze Puff Pastry Pinwheels?
Yes, I Freeze The Unbaked Pinwheels On A Tray Until Firm And Then Transfer Them To A Container. When I Want To Bake Them, I Place Them Directly In The Oven And Add A Few Extra Minutes To The Baking Time.
Conclusion
I Think These Sesame And Tapenade Puff Pastry Pinwheels Are A Wonderful Savory Snack That Is Both Simple And Elegant. The Flaky Pastry, Rich Tapenade, And Nutty Sesame Seeds Create A Delicious Combination That Works Perfectly For Parties, Appetizers, Or Casual Snacking. I Enjoy Making This Recipe Whenever I Want A Quick And Flavorful Treat Straight From The Oven.
The Best Sesame & Tapenade Puff Pastry Pinwheels with buttery flaky layers, bold olive tapenade flavor, and nutty sesame seeds. This easy appetizer recipe is perfect for gatherings, snack boards, and impressive party bites.
Author:Sarah
Prep Time:45 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:18 servings
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Mediterranean
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
250 grams puff pastry
5 tablespoons tapenade
50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 egg, beaten with a splash of water (for egg wash)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
Place the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and unroll it. Spread the tapenade evenly across the pastry, leaving about ¼ inch border around the edges. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the tapenade.
Starting from one of the short ends, tightly roll the pastry into a log. Wrap or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
Using a very sharp knife, slice the log into ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange the pinwheels about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking trays. Brush each pinwheel with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for 15–20 minutes until the pinwheels are golden brown and crisp. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Chilling the rolled pastry helps create clean, even slices.
You can substitute black olive tapenade or sun-dried tomato tapenade for a different flavor.
These pinwheels can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving.