Description
These Reuben Pinwheels are a delightful appetizer featuring a flaky puff pastry filled with classic Reuben sandwich ingredients: pastrami or corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, all enhanced by a creamy Thousand Island dressing and cream cheese spread. Perfect for parties or game day, these bite-sized pinwheels bake to a golden crisp and pair perfectly with extra dressing for dipping.
Ingredients
Thousand Island Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white onion, grated or very finely minced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Kosher salt, to taste
Pinwheels
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing, prepared
- 1/2 cup pastrami or corned beef, chopped
- 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sauerkraut, squeezed to remove excess liquid
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated onion, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar or lemon juice, sweet paprika, and kosher salt until smooth and well combined. Chill the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a clean surface and gently roll out to smoothen any creases if desired.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg with one tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the entire surface of the puff pastry with the egg wash evenly. Reserve the remaining egg wash for later use.
- Make Filling Spread: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with 3 tablespoons of the prepared Thousand Island dressing until smooth and combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the egg-washed puff pastry.
- Add Toppings: Evenly distribute the chopped pastrami or corned beef over the spread. Sprinkle the grated Swiss cheese on top, followed by the well-drained sauerkraut.
- Roll the Pastry: Carefully roll the puff pastry sheet lengthwise into a jelly roll shape towards you. Wrap the roll tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Slice Pinwheels: Remove the chilled roll from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into 18 to 20 even pieces, about 1/2 inch thick each. Place the pinwheels cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
- Final Egg Wash: Brush any exposed puff pastry surfaces on the pinwheels with the reserved egg wash to help achieve a beautiful golden color while baking.
- Bake: Bake the pinwheels in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puffed up.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with extra chilled Thousand Island dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze the sauerkraut well to avoid soggy pinwheels.
- For best results, chill the rolled pastry thoroughly before slicing to keep the pinwheels intact during baking.
- Use quality deli pastrami or corned beef for authentic flavor.
- These pinwheels can be made in advance and baked just before serving.
- Substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative to make it lactose free, but note this will change taste and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in an oven or toaster oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American