Air Fryer Pesto Pinwheels

Air Fryer Pesto Pinwheels are the perfect appetizers or snack. Made with just four ingredients; puff pastry, basil pesto, ham, and parmesan cheese. 

I first made these 4-Ingredient pesto pinwheels years ago, when I needed an easy appetizer for a holiday party. They were an instant hit. Now, they are our favorite appetizer and my family expects them more often, as a party food or for game day parties. 

You are going to love this recipe because there is almost no prep time, and cook time is under 15 minutes. It will easily be one of your favorite recipes. The green pesto and ham combine together for a perfect appetizer. 

If you love these in the air fryer, try a few other finger foods and perfect party snack foods, like Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings, and a perfect Air Fryer Salmon. 

What you need to make Pesto Pinwheels in the Air Fryer

I use my Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer for almost all of my air fryer recipes. It is big enough to cook the entire batch. To make these air fryer pinwheels, the simple ingredients you will need:

• Frozen Puff Pastry
• Basil Pesto
• Black forest ham slices
• Shredded or grated parmesan cheese

How to make Pesto Pinwheels

To make this recipe, you will want to begin by thawing one puff pastry sheet. Once it's thawed, roll it out into a rectangle shape. Next, spoon the basil pesto sauce of the puff pastry sheet, covering as much as possible. Lay slices of meat flat, and then sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. 

Starting with the long end, tightly roll the pastry. Cut the roll into 12- one inch pieces, and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with the cut side down. You can lightly brush the basket with olive oil, use air fryer safe cooking spray, or line it with air fryer parchment paper. 

Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit with a cooking time of 13-15 minutes, until they are golden brown.  Once they are done cooking, you can sprinkle parsley flakes on top and then serve. 

Notes about this recipe:

• You can use shredded parmesan or grated parmesan cheese. You can fill these pinwheels with pesto cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, or sun-dried tomatoes. 
• To make this recipe a vegetarian dish, you can omit the ham. 
• To make this a weight watchers meal, use lean meat, or thin ham slices. 
• Do not crowd or overfill the basket.

FAQ's

Can I make these puff pastry pinwheels ahead of time?

You can refrigerate the prepared roll for up to five days. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container. 

Do I need frozen of fresh puff pastry sheets to make these puff pastry pinwheels?

You can make this recipe with either fresh or frozen sheets. To keep this a simple party appetizer, I use 1 pre-portioned sheet that is frozen, and then save the other sheet in the freezer. 

I have a different air fryer, so how do I know the right air frying time?

All air fryers are different and may have different wattages. Start with 10 minutes the first time you are making this recipe, and then add 1-2 minutes at a time until the puffs are golden brown.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES: 

• Thin Mints
• BBQ Chicken Pizza Rolls
• Blackened Chicken Tenders
• Chicken Thighs
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus