Easy Cheese Crab Pinwheels

crab stuffed pinwheels

You’ll love these easy, cheese crab pinwheels for any occasion! They’re made with puff pastry, cream cheese and of course, crab! The buttery and flaky pastry goes so well with the creamy crab filling! To make these pinwheels, simply spread the filling, roll, slice and bake! They’re super easy to make and perfect for the holidays or a special occasion. You can have this crab appetizer ready in no time!

My Crab Pinwheels Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube video recipe for step-by-step instructions and see how I make this easy crab appetizer! Want to stay up to date on new recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website emailing list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!

Ingredients for Crab Appetizer

Here are the main ingredients you’ll need for this delicious seafood appetizer recipe:

  • Puff Pastry: use store-bought, frozen puff pastry. Thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator, or at room temperature for about an hour. 
  • Crab: I recommend using real crab for this recipe. I used refrigerated, canned lump crab. If you can’t find real crab, imitation crab will work in a pinch!
  • Cream Cheese: soften the cheese at room temperature for about 30 minutes. It will be easier to mix softened cheese!
  • Dijon Mustard: for making the filling.
  • Avocado: for the filling. Use a ripe avocado for best results. You want it to be extra creamy. 
  • Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika: for seasoning the filling. The smoked paprika gives the filling a delicious, smoky flavor and aroma!

How to Make Crab Pinwheels

This crab appetizer is super easy to make! You can have these ready in no time! Here’s how I put this recipe together:

  1. Allow the puff pastry sheets to thaw first. I usually take them out of the freezer the day before and place them into the refrigerator. You can also just let them sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Also, soften the cream cheese at room temperature for 1 hour.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the cooked crab into a large mixing bowl, along with the softened cheese, Worcestershire, dijon, salt and pepper.
  3. Dice the green onion and avocado, then add to the mixing bowl and combine everything together.
  4. Unfold the puff pastry sheets and spread the filling evenly onto both sheets, spreading it to the edges. Gently roll the sheets into a log, then use a sharp knife to cut the log into 1/2-inch sections.
  5. Place the crab rolls face side up onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until the edges of the crab pinwheels are golden.
  6. Enjoy the appetizer while it’s warm!

More Recipes!

Enjoyed this delicious seafood appetizer? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

Easy Cheese Crab Pinwheels

15 minutes prep + 15 minutes cook
30 servings
Easy and delicious crab pinwheels made with cream cheese, real crab, avocado and puff pastry!

Ingredients 

  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
  • 2 cups real cooked crab
  • 1 1/2 cups whipped cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 green scallions, diced
  • 1 large avocado, diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon EACH: black pepper, smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Allow the puff pastry sheets to thaw first. I usually take them out of the freezer the day before and place them into the refrigerator. You can also just let them sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Also, soften the cream cheese at room temperature for 1 hour. 
  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the cooked crab into a large mixing bowl, along with the softened cheese, Worcestershire, Dijon, salt and pepper.
  • Dice the green onion and avocado, then add to the mixing bowl and combine everything together.
  • Unfold the puff pastry sheets and spread the filling evenly onto both sheets, spreading it to the edges. Gently roll the sheets into a log, then use a sharp knife to cut the log into 1/2-inch sections.
  • Place the crab rolls face side up onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until the edges of the crab pinwheels are golden.
  • Enjoy the appetizer while it's warm! 

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg