Candied Bacon Pinwheels
Sweet and savory Candied Bacon Pinwheels with flaky puff pastry, sharp cheddar, rosemary, and honey. An easy, delicious holiday appetizer!
Servings: 16 pinwheels
Calories: 307kcal
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary use to your taste
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper use to your taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 16 strips thin cut bacon
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup shredded spicy or regular cheddar
- honey
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the rosemary, cayenne, and paprika in a small bowl.
- Arrange the bacon on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and half of the spice mixture. Bake for 8 minutes, until the bacon begins to caramelize but is still pliable. Let cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 425°F.
- Place the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured counter. Brush each sheet with beaten egg, then sprinkle each with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and the remaining spice mixture.
- Arrange 8 strips of bacon over each pastry sheet. Cut the pastry into strips around the bacon, then roll each strip into a pinwheel. Place cut side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 10–20 minutes.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp. Serve warm with a drizzle of honey, fresh rosemary, and flaky sea salt.
Notes
The bacon: Use thin-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon is harder to roll and won't crisp up as nicely inside the pastry. Don't fully cook the bacon during the first bake. You want it caramelized but still pliable enough to roll.
The spice: I love these with a little heat! Start with 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, then add more if you like things extra spicy. The honey drizzle at the end balances everything out.
The pastry: Keep your puff pastry cold. If it gets too warm while assembling, pop it back in the fridge. Freezing the pinwheels before baking helps them hold their shape and bake up extra flaky.
Make ahead: These are perfect for holiday entertaining! Assemble the pinwheels a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge until ready to bake. You can also freeze them and bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
For serving: Arrange the pinwheels on a big platter with a little bowl of warm honey for dipping. Add fresh rosemary around the platter for a festive touch. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, or any holiday gathering!
One last tip: Keep an eye on the pinwheels as they bake. The brown sugar can caramelize quickly, especially around the edges. You want golden, flaky pastry with crispy bacon tucked inside!
Nutrition
Calories: 307kcal
