With a savory filling of pumpkin, cream cheese, bacon, and sage, these Pumpkin Crescent Pinwheel Appetizers are always a hit when it's time to party.
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In keeping with the theme of the season, I thought pumpkin and sage would be a lovely combination to wrap in everyone's favorite appetizer helper... store-bought crescent roll dough.
Add to that some bacon and cream cheese and you have a savory pumpkin appetizer that is sure to wow any party crowd.
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How long will it take to make these easy pumpkin appetizers from start to finish?
- Can the savory pumpkin filling be made ahead?
- How long can the filled pinwheel logs remain in the freezer before baking?
- Can the bacon be omitted from this recipe if needed?
- Can store-bought pre-cooked bacon, or bacon bits, be used instead of cooking bacon at home?
- Does fresh sage need to be used or will dry work just as well?
- What about the red pepper flakes? Can those be left out, or can I add more if I want?
- How to make easy pumpkin crescent pinwheel appetizers:
- How many savory pumpkin appetizers will this recipe make?
- Additional easy crescent roll recipes:
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience.
- 2 - Pop Tube Crescent Roll Dough (I used Grands)
- Canned Pumpkin Purée (15 ounces)
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces)
- Bacon (1 pound)
- Fresh Sage
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Large Skillet (if frying bacon)
- Paper towels (to drain bacon, if needed)
- Wooden Spoon
- Offset Spatula or Butter Knife
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife (for chopping sage)
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
How long will it take to make these easy pumpkin appetizers from start to finish?
Since it's easier to cut these pinwheels into rounds, putting the filled dough logs into the freezer for at least 20 minutes is always a smart way to go.
From start to finish (freeze and bake time included) it will take approximately 60 minutes.
Can the savory pumpkin filling be made ahead?
Yes! Most definitely!
You can make the pumpkin filling up to 3 days in advance of making the pinwheels and then keep in in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to make the pumpkin crescent pinwheels.
How long can the filled pinwheel logs remain in the freezer before baking?
If you'd like to keep the frozen, filled logs in the freezer this can be done easily by partially freezing the logs so they become firm.
Once firm, wrap the unbaked logs with clingwrap and then return the frozen logs back to the freezer for up to 2 months.
When you're ready to bake, unwrap the frozen logs, slice into ½" pinwheels, and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven as instructed.
Can the bacon be omitted from this recipe if needed?
Yes! Just carry on without it like it was never a part of the recipe.
Can store-bought pre-cooked bacon, or bacon bits, be used instead of cooking bacon at home?
Yes! Save yourself some time by taking all the shortcuts you need.
Does fresh sage need to be used or will dry work just as well?
Personally, I tend to like fresh sage better in this recipe.
Using dry will work, but if you do use dry make sure to cut back on the amount used (perhaps to 1 teaspoon, and always sample the filling first), as dry herbs are always more intense in flavor than fresh.
What about the red pepper flakes? Can those be left out, or can I add more if I want?
You can always use more if you tend to be a fan of spice and heat.
That said, you can also leave them out if you prefer. I didn't add much to the recipe so the heat level in these pumpkin crescent pinwheels is mild with only a slight touch of heat at the end.
How to make easy pumpkin crescent pinwheel appetizers:
- Assemble the ingredients: precooked bacon, softened cream cheese, pumpkin puree, pop tube crescent rolls, sage, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
- In a large bowl, stir all the ingredients (except the crescent rolls) together until creamy.
- Unroll the crescent rolls from the tubes and press the triangles together at the seams to form small rectangles.
- Spread the filling evenly over the dough rectangles.
- Gently roll the crescent rolls, widthwise, making sure the seam remains on the bottom.
- Place the filled rolls into the freezer for at least 20 minutes before slicing and baking.
- Place the sliced pumpkin crescent pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
How many savory pumpkin appetizers will this recipe make?
This recipe as written makes 48 pumpkin crescent pinwheels.
If you don't need that many, this recipe can easily be divided in half. Or if you need more, this recipe can be easily doubled or even tripled.
Should you have any questions, please contact me.
Additional easy crescent roll recipes:
*Crescent Wrapped Bratwurst Bites (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"Easy Bratwurst Bites Wrapped in Crescent Dough with Sauerkraut Dipping Sauce are just the thing to serve during a party or for tailgating. They’re also super simple to make and everybody loves them!"
*Iced Pumpkin Danish from Savvy Saving Couple
*Easy Coconut Caramel Crescent Ring (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
Coconut Caramel Crescent Ring is super simple to make and uses everybody’s favorite store-bought canned crescent rolls.
*Pepperoni Cheese Pizza Bombs from Sizzling Eats
*Crescent Roll and Hash Brown Breakfast Pizza (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
"Make this Sunny Side Up Hash Brown Breakfast Pizza for breakfast, brunch or even dinner. Whichever you choose, it’s always a winner!"
*Crescent Chicken Squares from Life Currents
*Pumpkin Crescent Pinwheel Appetizers (pictured below) This is the place!!
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Printable Recipe Card
Pumpkin Crescent Pinwheel Appetizers
Equipment
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon cooked, drained, and crumbled
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin purée
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 2 pop tubes crescent rolls pressed flat without perforations
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients (except for the crescent dough) and stir until smooth and creamy.
- Open the crescent dough tubes and press the perforations together to form rectangles. *Note - crescent sheets (without perforations) may also be used.
- Divide the pumpkin cream cheese mixture evenly between the crescent rectangles and spread the mixture evenly over each.
- Evenly roll each pumpkin crescent dough into pinwheels, widthwise, making sure the seam remains on the bottom.
- Place the logs in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm.
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius)
- Once firm, slice the crescent pumpkin pinwheel logs into ½" slices and place the slices on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake the pinwheels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they're golden brown.
- Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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DENA M FOX says
Can these be made with puff pastry?
Renée says
Hi, Dena!
Well, I've not tried it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. The only thing I would caution is that I think the baking time will be longer to make sure the puff pastry cooks (and puffs) like its supposed to.
Good luck and let me know how it works for you.
Fondly,
Renee
Micki says
Oh yum! Savory appetizers are my absolute favorite, and I never thought to pair pumpkin and cream cheese, but it's so good!
Renée says
Thanks, Micki! Glad you like them!
Jacque Hastert says
Fall= football season and that means delicious appetizers like this! I can't wait to make these and bring them along to our watch party on Sunday!
Renée says
They'll be a big hit for you, Jacque! Enjoy!!
Debi says
Can the pumpkin pinwheels be made in advance & frozen for a couple of weeks?
Renée says
Hi, Debi!
Great question!
I would suggest that you put them together up until to slicing and baking part. Wrap the log and freeze.
When you're ready to serve, I'd partially thaw, slice, and bake. If they're still a little frozen, the bake time may be a few extra minutes, but other than that, everything should be good.
I hope this helps. Enjoy!!
Renee
01VanillaBean01 says
I think I would have passed on the turkey just to fill up on these. An entire pound of bacon is what caught my eye as much as the pumpkin filling!