Description
Eyeball Pinwheels are a spooky and fun Halloween party appetizer that resembles bloodshot eyeballs. These cream cheese and ranch stuffed tortillas rolled with olives, ham, and roasted red bell peppers create an eerie and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 2 ounces package cream cheese, softened (8 total)
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch dressing mix (1 packet)
Pinwheel Assembly
- 10 burrito-size flour tortillas
- 2 ounces canned large black olives (about 6 olives per roll, approximately 12 olives total from 2 cans)
- Thinly sliced ham (approximately 20-40 slices depending on desired amount and slice size)
- Partial jar of roasted red bell pepper slices
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat together the softened cream cheese and the packet of dry ranch dressing mix just until they are well blended and smooth.
- Trim Tortillas: Lay one flour tortilla flat on your work surface. Cut off a bit from two opposite edges to create a more rectangular shape for easier rolling.
- Spread Mixture on Tortilla: Evenly spread a layer of the cream cheese and ranch mixture over the tortilla surface.
- Add Olives and Ham: Place a line of large black olives (about 6, laying end to end) near one of the uncut edges of the tortilla. Then, lay 2 slices of ham near the middle of the tortilla, overlapping if needed.
- Roll the Tortilla: Carefully roll the tortilla starting at the edge with the olives, making sure not to shift them. Roll as tightly as possible without tearing the tortilla, continuing over the ham until fully rolled.
- Repeat: Repeat the rolling process with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
- Chill Rolls: Wrap each rolled tortilla individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight to set.
- Slice Pinwheels: Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and unwrap one at a time. Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into pinwheels about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick.
- Decorate with Bell Peppers: Slice thin pieces of roasted red bell pepper. Fold a sliver in half and insert it into the holes of the olives in each pinwheel, positioning the fold to resemble bloodshot veins.
- Serve: Arrange the decorated pinwheels on a serving tray or plate. Serve chilled as a fun Halloween appetizer.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the pinwheels at least 4 hours in advance or overnight to allow flavors to meld and rolls to set properly.
- Use burrito-size tortillas for easier rolling and better size of pinwheels.
- If some olives do not have holes, flip the pinwheel to find a side with a hole for adding the bell pepper sliver.
- For a more dramatic visual effect, serve on Halloween-themed plates or napkins.
- Variations can include substituting ham with turkey or other deli meats as preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 pinwheels
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
