Sweet, savory, irresistibly flaky
These fig and goat cheese pinwheels are the kind of appetizer that disappears fast. Creamy, tangy goat cheese pairs perfectly with naturally sweet figs, all wrapped up in buttery, flaky pastry and baked until golden. They feel elegant enough for holidays and dinner parties, yet they’re surprisingly quick to prepare—perfect for busy hosts who still want something impressive. Whether you’re planning a brunch spread, cocktail hour, or an easy make-ahead snack, these pinwheels deliver big flavor with minimal effort. This is one of those recipes that looks fancy, tastes gourmet, and comes together in under 30 minutes.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Total Time: ~25 minutes
- Servings: 18–22 pinwheels
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened
- ½ cup fig jam or finely chopped dried figs
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ¼ tsp dried)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: cracked black pepper or chopped walnuts
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or offset spatula
- Sharp knife
- Pastry brush
🥐 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, keeping it in a neat rectangle.
- In a bowl, mix goat cheese, fig jam, honey, and thyme until smooth and spreadable 😊
- Spread mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a ½-inch border on one long side.
- Starting from the opposite long edge, roll the pastry tightly into a log.
- Slice into ½-inch rounds and place cut-side down on the baking sheet.
- Brush tops lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with pepper or nuts if using ✨
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until puffed and deeply golden.
- Cool slightly before serving—filling will be hot!
💡 Pro Tips
- Clean slices: Chill the rolled log for 10 minutes before slicing for sharper pinwheels.
- Make-ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Extra savory: Add a pinch of flaky salt after baking.
- Storage: Best fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.