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Turn boring leftover taco meat into mouth-watering Cheesy Taco Pinwheels that'll wow your friends as appetizers or satisfy your snack cravings. The spiced beef blends with silky cheese filling, all wrapped in tortillas and crisped up perfectly in the air fryer.
I came up with these pinwheels while trying to jazz up our leftover taco meat. What began as just playing around in the kitchen has turned into one of the most asked-for snacks when friends come over for sports. Nobody can resist that crunchy outside with gooey filling inside.
What You'll Need
- Ground Beef: forms the meaty foundation - go with lean beef to cut down on grease
- Taco Seasoning: brings that Mexican kick you want - just use half a packet so it doesn't overpower
- Cream Cheese: makes everything deliciously smooth - let it sit out to soften so it mixes easier
- Sour Cream: adds that nice zingy taste - stick with full fat for the best flavor punch
- Cheddar Cheese: melts into gooey goodness - grate it yourself instead of buying pre-shredded
- Large Flour Tortillas: wrap everything up nicely - burrito-sized works best for rolling
- Optional dips: try salsa, guacamole or queso to make them even tastier
How To Make Them
- Cook Your Meat:
- Toss half a pound of ground beef in a pan over medium heat and cook until no pink remains. Pour off any extra fat. Mix in a quarter cup of water with two tablespoons of taco seasoning. Keep stirring until the water's gone and the meat's coated evenly. Let it cool a bit before the next step.
- Mix Up The Filling:
- Put your cooked taco meat in a bowl with four ounces of softened cream cheese and two tablespoons of sour cream. Mash it all together with a fork until everything's well combined. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if needed. You want it spreadable but not too runny.
- Put It All Together:
- Lay out two big tortillas on your counter. Split the filling between them and spread it out to the edges using a spatula or spoon back. Sprinkle half a cup of shredded cheddar on each tortilla. Press the cheese down lightly so it sticks to the filling.
- Make Your Pinwheels:
- From one edge, roll each tortilla up tightly like a log. Keep the pressure even as you go to avoid bubbles. Put the rolls seam-side down and cut off any uneven ends. Slice each roll into five equal pieces about an inch and a half thick.
- Crisp Them Up:
- Arrange your pinwheels in the air fryer basket with some space between each one for the air to flow. Cook at 370°F for just five minutes until they're golden and crispy outside and the cheese has melted inside. Serve them right away while they're hot.
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Cream cheese totally makes these pinwheels special. I found this out by chance when I didn't have enough sour cream one day and threw in some cream cheese instead. The amazing smoothness it created was so good that I never went back to the old way. Now my family asks for these pinwheels even more than regular tacos.
Keeping Them Fresh
You can keep these taco pinwheels in the fridge for up to three days if you store them in a container with a tight lid. When you want to eat them again just pop them in the air fryer for about two minutes at 350°F. They'll taste almost as good as fresh. You can even freeze the uncooked pinwheels - just lay them on a baking sheet until they're firm then put them in a freezer bag. When cooking from frozen add an extra minute to your air frying time.
Ingredient Swaps
Ground turkey or chicken works just as well if you don't want beef. These lighter meats go really nicely with the cheesy mix. If you don't eat meat try using refried beans or cooked mushrooms with black beans instead. For folks who can't do dairy the plant-based cream cheese and vegan shredded cheese options work surprisingly well though they'll feel a bit different in your mouth.
What To Serve With Them
These pinwheels taste amazing when you can dunk them in different sauces. Set out little bowls of salsa guacamole sour cream and hot sauce. For a fuller meal pair them with a simple green salad with lime dressing. At parties arrange them on a big plate alongside mini quesadillas or loaded nachos to create a fun Mexican-themed spread that'll make everyone happy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can leftover taco meat be used?
Of course! Just grab about 1 cup of the seasoned meat you’ve got. It works just fine here.
- → What tortillas roll best?
Big flour tortillas are the easiest to roll up, but if you love corn ones, they work too.
- → Can they be prepped early?
Yep, you can assemble them the night before, keep them in the fridge, and fry them fresh when you’re ready.
- → Which dips go with these?
Salsa, guac, queso, or even nacho cheese are all awesome alongside these pinwheels.
- → What other fillings can I try?
Switch out beef for chicken, turkey, or even beans for a twist on the classic.