Name: Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken; 2 oz cream cheese softened; 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1/2 cup buffalo sauce; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 3 scallions chopped; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp salt; 2 sheets thawed puff pastry; 1 egg beaten

There’s something irresistibly fun about these little bites of spicy, cheesy goodness that just scream party time. This Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe combines creamy, tangy buffalo chicken filling wrapped up in flaky puff pastry, making it an unforgettable appetizer or snack that’s simple to whip up and loved by crowd-pleasers of all ages.

The image shows a close-up of multiple puff pastry pinwheels stacked on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. Each pinwheel has three visible layers: a light golden-brown outer flaky crust, a middle spiral layer of melted orange cheese, and a soft, slightly darker beige layer of dough inside. Small green onion pieces are sprinkled on top, adding a fresh green contrast. A small glass bowl with a white creamy dip is partially visible to the left side. The pinwheels show a lightly toasted texture with some browned spots on the cheese layer. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore this Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe because it’s the perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and crunch all wrapped into one. It’s quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough to bring to game days or casual get-togethers.

Simple yet impressive: These pinwheels look fancy but take just minutes to prepare, great for last-minute gatherings.
Perfect finger food: Easy to grab and share, they’re ideal for parties, lunchboxes, or snacking.
Customizable heat level: You can adjust the buffalo sauce to tame the spice or turn it up to thrill your palate.
Make ahead friendly: Prep in advance, freeze or refrigerate, then bake fresh whenever you want.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a starring role here, coming together to create that crave-worthy buffalo chicken flavor wrapped in buttery, flaky puff pastry. Here’s the scoop on why these work so well—and a tip or two to help you choose wisely.

Flat lay of cooked and shredded chicken, a smooth mound of softened cream cheese, a small white bowl of plain Greek yogurt, a small white bowl filled with vibrant orange buffalo sauce, a small pile of shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh whole scallions with green stalks and white bulbs, a small white bowl containing fine garlic powder, a small white bowl with ground black pepper, a small white bowl with fine salt, two rectangular sheets of thawed puff pastry, and a single whole egg with a clean shell, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cooked and shredded chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken keeps things quick—leftovers or rotisserie chicken both work wonders.
Cream cheese: This adds that rich, velvety texture that balances the heat perfectly.
Plain Greek yogurt: A lighter swap for sour cream that adds tang while keeping the filling creamy.
Buffalo sauce: The star of the show—choose your favorite brand or homemade version to dial in the heat.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully, stretching with every bite to add gooey cheesiness.
Scallions: For a mild onion crunch that brightens the filling without overpowering it.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle depth of flavor and warmth.
Black pepper and salt: Essential seasonings to bring out the best in every ingredient.
Puff pastry sheets: Thaw them properly for that perfect flaky crust—don’t rush this step!
Egg: Used as a wash to give the pinwheels a beautiful golden glow when baked.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe is how easy it is to switch things up based on what you have or how you like it. I’ve played around with different cheeses, sauces, and add-ins, so feel free to get creative.

Variation: I once swapped mozzarella for sharp cheddar to add a little extra bite—totally delicious if you love a punchier cheese flavor.
Make it milder: If buffalo heat isn't your thing, try mixing half buffalo sauce with barbecue sauce for a sweeter twist.
Boost the veggies: Adding finely diced celery or bell peppers inside the filling gives it a lovely crunch and freshness.
Make it vegetarian: Use shredded jackfruit or a plant-based chicken substitute to enjoy the same flavors sans meat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe

There is a white plate with a beaded edge holding nine golden-brown pastry pinwheels, each topped with small green onion pieces. The pinwheels have visible layers of flaky dough with an orange filling spread inside, showing a slightly rough texture. A clear glass bowl of white dipping sauce sits in the middle of the plate. A woman's hand is holding one of the pinwheels, dipping it partly into the sauce. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix that flavorful filling

Start by combining cooked, shredded chicken with softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt in a bowl. Add the buffalo sauce, shredded mozzarella, scallions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I find using a rubber spatula helps get everything mixed evenly without breaking up the chicken too much. The filling should be creamy but still hold its shape when spread.

Step 2: Prep the puff pastry sheets

Make sure your puff pastry is fully thawed (give it a couple of hours in the fridge or about 30 minutes at room temp). Lightly flour your work surface and unfold the pastry sheet. I like to gently roll it out a bit thinner with a rolling pin, making it perfect for rolling without cracking.

Step 3: Spread and roll

Slather half of the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the puff pastry sheet, getting all the way to the edges. This helps seal the roll so nothing leaks out while baking. With the short edge facing you, roll the pastry away from you into a tight log. Don’t rush this part — a neat roll makes nice, even pinwheels.

Step 4: Slice and prepare for baking

Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into eight equal pieces. Place the pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between them (they puff up and need room!). Brush each pinwheel with beaten egg to get that gorgeous golden brown finish.

Step 5: Bake to perfection

Bake at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes until the pinwheels are puffed up and golden brown all over. I always set a timer with a buffer because oven temps vary, and nobody wants undercooked or burnt pastry. Let them cool for 5 minutes—this also helps the filling set so they hold together nicely when you bite in.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned a few tweaks that make a big difference with this Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe. These tips will help ensure your pinwheels come out picture-perfect and delicious every time.

Don’t skip softening the cream cheese: It mixes more smoothly, lending a creamy texture to the filling without lumps.
Keep puff pastry cold but pliable: If it gets too warm, it will be hard to roll and might tear. If it’s too cold, it can crack—aim for room temp but still cool.
Roll gently but evenly: This keeps the filling from squeezing out and helps maintain nice, even pinwheels.
Use a sharp serrated knife: This creates clean cuts without squishing your roll, making neat, pretty pinwheels.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these pinwheels with extra chopped scallions—they add a fresh crisp bite that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I sprinkle on a little finely chopped cilantro for a bright herbal note, especially if I’m serving them for a casual gathering.

Side Dishes

These pinwheels go beautifully with crunchy veggie sticks (carrots, celery, cucumber) and a side of blue cheese or ranch dip for dunking. On game days, I like pairing them with a fresh coleslaw or a crisp green salad to balance out the spicy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged the pinwheels around a bowl of dipping sauce on a large platter so guests can grab and dunk easily. Another fun idea is to thread smaller pinwheels onto skewers with cherry tomatoes and celery pieces for a playful, portable appetizer that’s both tasty and colorful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you take them out, they’re still delicious cold, but warming them up brings back that fresh-baked charm.

Freezing

I often freeze unbaked pinwheels on a parchment-lined tray for a couple of hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This way, they keep their shape and can be baked straight from frozen when the craving hits—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

Reheat leftover pinwheels in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to crisp up the pastry nicely without drying out the filling. I avoid microwaving because it can make the pastry soggy, but if you’re in a hurry, a quick burst works—just expect softer crust.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that saves time and adds great flavor to your Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe. Just shred it up and toss it in with the other ingredients.

How spicy are these pinwheels?

The heat level depends on the buffalo sauce you choose. If you prefer milder, use less sauce or mix it with some ranch or barbecue sauce. If you love heat, go for the hot or extra hot buffalo sauces. You’re in control!

Can I make these pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare and roll the pinwheels a day ahead. Store them covered in the fridge and bake right before serving. You can also freeze them unbaked for longer storage and bake from frozen when ready.

What’s the best way to reheat Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels?

For the crispiest results, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This brings back puff pastry’s flakiness without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust crisp.

Final Thoughts

I love how this Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels Recipe turns simple ingredients into a festive, flavorful bite that everyone raves about. Whether you’re feeding family on a busy night or impressing friends at your next gathering, these pinwheels never disappoint. Give them a try—you’ll find yourself making them again and again, just like I do!