Sausage Pinwheels Recipe
Introduction
Sausage pinwheels are a delicious and easy appetizer that’s perfect for parties or snacks. Featuring a savory mix of breakfast sausage and cream cheese wrapped in flaky crescent rolls, they come together quickly and bake to golden perfection.

Ingredients
- 1 roll breakfast sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 can crescent rolls
- 1 green onion, diced
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat, browning and crumbling it. Once cooked, drain and remove excess grease.
- Step 2: For extra creamy texture, whip the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes (optional). Then stir together the cream cheese, garlic powder, cooked sausage, and diced green onion until well combined.
- Step 3: Unroll the crescent rolls onto a piece of parchment paper without separating the individual rolls. Pinch all the seams together to form one large rectangle.
- Step 4: Evenly spread the sausage mixture over the crescent roll dough. Roll up the dough lengthwise, then wrap it tightly in parchment paper and plastic wrap. Place the roll in the freezer for 1 hour to firm up.
- Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the roll from the plastic wrap and slice it into 1/4-inch thick pinwheels.
- Step 6: Arrange the pinwheels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puffed.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives to the sausage mixture.
- Use turkey sausage for a leaner option or substitute cream cheese with a flavored spread for a twist.
- You can prepare the pinwheels in advance and freeze them before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking from frozen.
Storage
Store leftover sausage pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5–7 minutes to regain crispness. They can also be frozen before baking; store frozen pinwheels in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of sausage?
Yes, feel free to use any cooked sausage you prefer, such as spicy Italian, chicken, or vegetarian sausage, to suit your taste.
Do I have to freeze the roll before slicing?
Freezing helps the roll firm up, making slicing easier and helping the pinwheels keep their shape while baking. If you skip freezing, slice carefully and expect slightly softer pinwheels.
Print
Sausage Pinwheels Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings 1x
Description
Sausage Pinwheels are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring savory breakfast sausage, creamy garlic-infused cream cheese, and flaky crescent rolls. These pinwheels are perfect for brunch, snacks, or party finger foods, offering a perfect balance of flavors and a crispy golden finish.
Ingredients
Sausage Mixture
- 1 roll breakfast sausage (approximately 16 oz)
- 1 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 green onion, diced
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Dough
- 1 can crescent rolls
Instructions
- Cook Sausage: Cook, brown and crumble the breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Once the sausage is fully cooked, carefully remove and discard excess grease from the pan to avoid a greasy filling.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: To make the cream cheese extra soft and fluffy, whip it with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes (optional but recommended). Then stir together the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, cooked sausage, and diced green onion until fully combined into a uniform mixture.
- Prepare Crescent Dough: Roll out the crescent rolls on a piece of parchment paper without separating the individual rolls. Pinch the seams together gently to create one large rectangular dough sheet, ensuring the filling won’t leak out.
- Assemble Pinwheels: Evenly spread the sausage and cream cheese mixture over the large rectangle of crescent dough. Then carefully roll it up lengthwise into a tight log. Wrap the roll tightly in parchment paper followed by plastic wrap to hold its shape, and place it in the freezer for 1 hour to firm up for easier slicing.
- Preheat Oven and Slice: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the log from plastic wrap and slice it into 1/4 inch thick pinwheels using a sharp knife.
- Bake Pinwheels: Arrange the sliced pinwheels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the pinwheels turn golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
Notes
- Whipping the cream cheese makes the filling lighter and easier to spread.
- Freezing the roll before slicing helps achieve clean, even pinwheel shapes.
- You can add extra herbs or spices such as black pepper or paprika for additional flavor.
- Make sure to remove excess grease from the cooked sausage to avoid soggy pinwheels.
- These pinwheels can be reheated in the oven to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sausage Pinwheels, Appetizer, Breakfast Sausage, Crescent Rolls, Cream Cheese, Party Snacks, Easy Recipe

