Zesty Cranberry Feta Tortilla Rolls Recipe: A Festive Finger Food
Snacking just got a whole lot more exciting with these cranberry feta tortilla rolls that promise a burst of tangy and creamy flavors.
Soft tortillas wrapped around a delightful mixture of sharp feta and sweet dried cranberries create an irresistible appetizer.
The combination of textures and tastes will make these rolls a standout at any gathering.
Crumbled feta adds a salty punch while cranberries bring a vibrant, fruity note to each bite.
These elegant yet simple rolls come together in minutes, making them perfect for spontaneous entertaining.
Quick to assemble and even quicker to disappear, you’ll love how these tortilla rolls blend sophistication with simplicity.
Serve them as an appetizer, and watch your guests reach for seconds before the plate is even set down.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time:
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 210 kcal
Servings: 9
What You’ll Need for Cranberry Feta Tortilla Rolls
For Creamy Base:
Cream Cheese: Provides smooth, luxurious texture and rich tangy foundation for the filling.
Feta Cheese: Adds crumbly, salty punch that elevates the overall flavor profile of the rolls.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Green Onions: Delivers crisp, sharp zesty notes that brighten the entire mixture.
Dried Cranberries: Introduces sweet-tart burst and gorgeous ruby color to complement the creamy cheeses.
For Wrapping Component:
Tortillas: Serves as flexible, neutral wrapper that holds the filling and creates elegant pinwheel presentation.
Tools That Help You Roll and Slice Neatly
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all filling ingredients smoothly and evenly.
Sharp knife: Essential for cleanly slicing tortilla rolls into precise pinwheels.
Cutting board: Provides a clean, stable surface for preparing and slicing rolls.
Plastic wrap: Helps wrap and chill tortilla rolls, ensuring they hold their shape.
Measuring cups/spoons: Useful for accurately measuring cheese and other ingredients.
How to Assemble These Tangy Tortilla Pinwheels
Cranberry Feta Tortilla Rolls
Flavor Fusion The cream cheese, feta, green onions, and cranberries combine in a delightful dance of tastes. Blend these ingredients in a bowl until they create a harmonious mixture that promises a burst of excitement in every bite.
Tortilla Canvas Spread the creamy mixture across soft tortillas, leaving a tiny border. Each tortilla becomes a delectable landscape waiting to be rolled into a culinary adventure.
Chilling Transformation Carefully roll the tortillas into tight spirals, then wrap them in plastic. Nestle these flavor-packed rolls in the refrigerator for an hour, allowing the ingredients to whisper their secrets to each other and solidify their delicious bond.
Pinwheel Presentation Unwrap the chilled rolls and slice them into beautiful pinwheels. These colorful rounds are ready to dazzle at parties, gatherings, or as a personal indulgence that speaks to your taste buds.
Tips for Chill Time and Clean Cuts
Cheese Lover's Flavor Hack: Experiment with different cheese combinations like goat cheese or blue cheese to create unique taste profiles that complement the tangy cranberries.
Spice It Up: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper into the filling mixture for a subtle kick that balances the creamy cheese and sweet cranberries.
Make-Ahead Magic: These rolls can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance, making them perfect for last-minute gatherings or unexpected guests. Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular tortillas with gluten-free alternatives or use lettuce wraps for a lighter, low-carb version that still delivers maximum flavor. This substitution works great for those with dietary restrictions or looking for a lighter appetizer.
Plating Tortilla Rolls for Holiday Appetizers
Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these colorful tortilla rolls on a wooden board with fresh herb sprigs for an elegant, eye-catching appetizer display.
Picnic and Potluck Star: Pack these rolls in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, ensuring they stay cool and maintain their shape during transport.
Wine and Cheese Night Companion: Pair these tangy rolls with a crisp white wine or light rosé, creating a delightful flavor combination that will impress your guests.
Healthy Game Day Snack: Replace traditional heavy appetizers with these lighter, protein-packed rolls that offer a zesty and refreshing alternative to typical finger foods.
How to Store and Transport Rolls Cleanly
Smart Prep Ahead: Mix the filling up to 24 hours before assembling rolls, storing covered in the refrigerator to maximize flavor development and save precious time during party preparation.
Chilled Storage Strategy: Wrap finished tortilla rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then store in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining their fresh taste and appealing texture.
Party Perfect Planning: Create these rolls a day before your event, allowing flavors to blend and reducing last-minute kitchen stress while ensuring delicious appetizers are ready to serve.
Quick Serving Hack: Remove rolls from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to let them slightly warm, which enhances the cream cheese and feta's creamy texture and brings out the subtle cranberry sweetness.
Cranberry feta tortilla rolls combine sweet and tangy flavors in a delightful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy cheese and tart cranberries wrapped in a tortilla create an elegant bite you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
2 large flour tortillas (wheat or spinach recommended for added color)
1 pack (8 oz/226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
¾ cup (180 mL/6 fl oz) crumbled feta cheese
¾ cup (180 mL/6 fl oz) sweetened dried cranberries
¼ cup (60 mL/2 fl oz) chopped green onions
Instructions
Mixture Preparation: Blend cream cheese, feta, green onions, and dried cranberries in a mixing bowl until a smooth, homogeneous spread emerges with balanced flavor distribution.
Tortilla Filling: Lay tortillas flat and distribute the cheese mixture evenly across each surface, leaving a narrow border around the edges to facilitate clean rolling.
Rolling and Chilling: Tightly roll each tortilla into compact cylinders, ensuring a snug seal. Wrap individually in plastic film and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to enhance flavor cohesion and structural integrity.
Slicing and Serving: Unwrap chilled rolls and use a razor-sharp knife to cut into uniform pinwheel medallions approximately one inch thick. Arrange artfully on a presentation platter, serving at ambient temperature to optimize taste and textural nuances.
Notes
Cheese Blending Tip: Mix ingredients thoroughly to create a uniform, creamy texture that ensures every bite has balanced flavors.
Spread Strategically: Leave a half-inch border around tortilla edges to prevent filling from squeezing out during rolling.
Chill for Success: Refrigerate rolls for 60-90 minutes to help them firm up, making slicing cleaner and more precise.
Serving Suggestion: Cut rolls just before serving to maintain fresh appearance and prevent drying out, using a sharp knife for clean, even pinwheel slices.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.