Name: Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry 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 appetizers you can pick up and pop in your mouth, and this Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe hits all those right notes. The flaky puff pastry wrapped around spicy, creamy buffalo chicken filling? Total game changer for snack time or parties.

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 Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe is one I turn to whenever I want something that’s quick to pull together but still feels impressively tasty. They’re packed with that perfect spicy kick balanced by creamy cheese and cooling Greek yogurt, all wrapped up in buttery puff pastry.

Super Easy to Make: You’ll be amazed how quickly these come together with just a few simple steps.
Perfectly Portable: These pinwheels are a crowd-pleaser at parties, potlucks, or just casual snacking.
Balanced Flavors: Spicy buffalo sauce meets creamy tang, with mozzarella pulling it all together beautifully.
Customizable: You can tweak the ingredients easily to make it milder, cheesier, or even add veggies.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here really comes from combining classic buffalo flavors with the flaky, buttery puff pastry. Each ingredient brings something special—you want creamy, spicy, and melty all at once. Plus, these ingredients are easy to find, which makes this recipe a no-brainer for busy days.

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 shredded chicken: The base protein that soaks up all the rich, spicy flavors—use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Cream cheese: Softened for that silky, creamy texture that balances the heat.
Plain Greek yogurt: Adds a tangy coolness and lightens up the filling without overpowering it.
Buffalo sauce: The star of the show, providing that signature spicy kick.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully inside the pinwheels, adding gooey goodness.
Scallions: Freshness and a mild onion kick that brighten the flavor.
Garlic powder, black pepper, salt: Seasonings that boost the flavor profile without fuss.
Puff pastry sheets: The flaky, buttery layers that provide the perfect crisp texture contrast.
Egg (beaten): Used for brushing to give the pinwheels a gorgeous golden-brown finish.

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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

I love altering this Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe depending on who I’m serving. Sometimes I take it up a notch with extra cheese, or swap in a milder sauce if there are kids around. Making it your own keeps it fresh and fun every time.

Variation: Once, I stirred in some crumbled blue cheese for an authentic buffalo flavor—totally delicious if you’re a fan of bold tastes.
Diet-Friendly: For a lighter twist, swapping out half the mozzarella for part-skim or using dairy-free options works well.
Veggie Boost: Adding finely chopped bell peppers or celery to the filling adds a little crunch and color.
Spiciness Level: Feel free to dial up or tone down the buffalo sauce depending on your heat tolerance.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry 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: Prep your ingredients for maximum ease

Before you start, make sure your chicken is shredded nicely—rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for this. Soften the cream cheese ahead of time (microwaving for about 20 seconds helps), and have your buffalo sauce and Greek yogurt ready to mix. This prep makes the assembly smooth and stress-free.

Step 2: Mix the flavorful filling

In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, buffalo sauce, mozzarella, scallions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I use a rubber spatula to really get everything combined evenly without mashing the chicken too much—keeping some texture is key!

Step 3: Roll out the puff pastry and spread filling

Unfold your puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and give it a gentle roll with a rolling pin—just enough to thin it slightly without tearing. Spread half of the buffalo chicken mixture evenly all the way to the edges. This helps the pinwheels stay intact when rolled.

Step 4: Roll and slice into pinwheels

With the short side facing you, carefully roll the pastry away from you into a tight log. Don’t rush this—take your time to keep it even. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into eight equal pinwheels. Repeat all over again with the second sheet and filling.

Step 5: Bake to golden perfection

Place the pinwheels spaced generously on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each one gently with beaten egg to get that golden, shiny crust. Bake at 400°F for around 20-25 minutes or until puffed up and beautifully browned. Let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving—they’re hot out of the oven!

Top Tip

After making these pinwheels a handful of times, I've learned a few tricks that really make a difference. These tips will help you get ahead and ensure every bite comes out perfect.

Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can make rolling tricky and cause the pastry to burst during baking. Thin, even layers work best.
Roll Firm but Gentle: Roll the puff pastry tight enough to hold shape, but don’t squeeze so hard that filling squeezes out.
Keep Puff Pastry Cold: If it warms too much while working, pop it back in the fridge briefly to prevent it from getting sticky.
Use Parchment Paper: It keeps the pinwheels from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always sprinkle extra chopped scallions or fresh cilantro on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. A tiny drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side is my personal favorite dip – it really mellows out that buffalo heat perfectly.

Side Dishes

These pinwheels pair wonderfully with crunchy celery sticks, crisp carrot matchsticks, or a simple green salad. When I’m making a snack board, I toss some olives and pickles alongside for that extra zing.

Creative Ways to Present

For game day or a party, try arranging the pinwheels on a large platter in a spiral shape with small bowls of ranch and buffalo sauce in the center. I’ve also served them on skewers with cherry tomatoes for a fun finger-food upgrade.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They stay surprisingly fresh—just make sure to let them cool completely before sealing to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing the pinwheels unbaked. Just roll and slice as usual, then freeze them flat on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When you want to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake shortly after.

Reheating

To keep that crisp puff pastry texture, reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes instead of microwaving. It brings back the fresh-baked feel instead of turning soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken for the filling?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken saves time and works perfectly for this recipe since it’s already cooked and flavorful. Just shred it before mixing.

How spicy is this recipe?

The spiciness comes primarily from the buffalo sauce, which you can adjust to your liking. For milder flavor, use a mild buffalo sauce or reduce the amount. For extra heat, add some cayenne or hot sauce.

Can I prep these pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the pinwheels up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Alternatively, freeze the unbaked pinwheels and bake when ready.

What can I serve with buffalo chicken pinwheels?

They’re awesome with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping and pair well with fresh veggie sticks or a crisp side salad. I also like serving them alongside pickles or olives for extra zing.

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe quickly became a staple in my kitchen because it’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together in under an hour. Sharing these with friends or family never fails to bring smiles—and honestly, I love sneaking a few as leftover snacks. Give it a try and I promise it’ll be your new go-to for effortless entertaining or cozy nights in.