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Easy Turkey Pinwheels | Healthy Lunch Idea

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Switch up the usual sandwich for these easy turkey pinwheels!

If you’ve had pinwheels before, you know how popular they can be with kids and adults, and I’ve spruced up the classic recipe with fresh ingredients and creamy hummus for a healthy lunch option that fits perfectly in a lunchbox.

turkey pinwheels in a lunch container with veggies, and fruit

Healthy Turkey Pinwheels Recipe

Healthy turkey pinwheels are made with fresh veggies, sliced turkey, and creamy hummus rolled into a soft flour tortilla. 

To make this recipe more nutritious than the original version, I swapped out the cream cheese for hummus, which is lower in fat and more flavorful. The addition of carrots and spinach brings volume and fiber to every bite. 

Even with the extra greenery, these turkey pinwheels still disappear quickly from the lunchbox. And if this recipe is a hit with your family, give the Avocado Bacon Pinwheels a try! 

What are Pinwheels

Classic pinwheels consist of a cream cheese base, deli meat, and more cheese rolled up tightly in a tortilla, then sliced into rounds. 

Pinwheels have a small, round shape, making them easy to pick up and eat with your fingers, which makes them a great option for party appetizers and, in this case, packed lunches. 

If this recipe is a breath of fresh air, you’ll love what’s inside the 101 Packed Lunches eBook. You’ll find much more than sandwiches and wraps; it includes hot lunch ideas, soups, epic salads, and incredible power bowls- all of which anyone can enjoy from school or the office. 

101 Packed Lunches eBook

All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!

Buy the Book

Turkey Pinwheel Ingredients

The ingredients for these healthy turkey pinwheels are simple; you’ll need the following items:

  • large tortillas: whole grain, white, spinach, whatever you keep on hand. 
  • hummus: acts as a “glue” and holds the pinwheels together. 
  • spinach: for extra fiber and vitamins. 
  • deli turkey: provides these pinwheels with satiating protein. Swap it out for deli ham or chicken. 
  • shredded carrots: for extra crunch and veg. 
turkey pinwheels prior to rolling

How to Make Turkey Pinwheels

Pinwheels are just as easy to make as the usual wrap and burrito. The only extra step is slicing them into the rounds or “wheels” let me show you how it’s done.

  1. Make a base
    Spread the hummus over the tortilla.  
  2. Add the fillings
    Top the tortilla with spinach, sliced turkey, and shredded carrots. 
  3. Roll and slice
    Beginning on one end, tightly roll the tortilla. Slice in half, and then in 1-inch pieces. 

You can also watch this quick video to see the entire process from start to finish: 

Can You Make Turkey Hummus Pinwheels Ahead?

Pinwheels are a great lunch to make the night before, and I find they taste even better the next day. Over time, the tortilla absorbs the hummus flavors while the ingredients ‘meld’ together.

If you want to make this recipe ahead, don’t slice the wrap until you are ready to pack it into a lunch container. The sliced pinwheels will dry out overnight. Instead, cover the wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the next morning.

turkey pinwheels in a lunch container

How to Pack Pinwheels for Lunch

To keep pinwheels fresh and intact, pack them into a small compartment of a lunch container. Otherwise, it’s easy for them to get smashed or jostled when packed in plastic bags or large containers. 

Easy Lunchboxes or bento boxes come with compartments and are what I typically use to pack this recipe and all sorts of lunches. 

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Easy Turkey Pinwheels

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★★★★★

4.5 from 73 reviews

Try these turkey pinwheels made with fresh veggies and hummus for a healthy packed lunch! 

  • Author: Laura Fuentes
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Lunches

Ingredients

  • 1 large whole grain tortilla
  • 1 tablespoon hummus
  • Handful spinach or mixed greens
  • 2–3 slices deli turkey 
  • Shredded or matchstick carrots

Instructions

  1. Place the tortilla on a flat surface. Spread hummus, top with field greens, place turkey slices on top and sprinkle carrots over the turkey.
  2. Beginning on one end, roll the tortilla tightly. Slice in half, and then in one-inch pieces.

Equipment

packed lunches ebook on a tablet

101 Packed Lunches eBook

Buy Now →

Notes

You can make the wrap the night before, refrigerate, and reserve slicing into pinwheels prior to packing the lunchbox in the morning.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7-8 pinwheels
  • Calories: 247
  • Sugar: 4.9 g
  • Sodium: 738.9 mg
  • Fat: 6.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29.8 g
  • Fiber: 6.7 g
  • Protein: 18.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 25.1 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @MOMables on Instagram and hashtag it #momables

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Tracy Green

    August 07, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    Hi Laura. What is the item in the upper left of the lunch container? Some kind of cheese? Coconut? Cookies? I can’t tell what it is. 🙂 Cannot wait to pack my daughter this lunch. She will LOVE it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      August 23, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      It was dehydrated coconut. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. nicole

    August 29, 2015 at 12:53 am

    My favorite kitchen tool are those silicon muffin liners. I use them to portion out small amounts of different foods. My kids love it. It’s like homemade lunchables. Put the same stuff on a plate and they’re not interested, put it in muffin cups and they love it! Kids 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kelli

    August 21, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    I usually pack sandwiches or hot soups in a thermos. I really want to try some more interesting food ideas though.

    Reply
  4. Lisa Marz

    August 14, 2015 at 2:42 pm

    My kids like cheese and turkey wraps and tortellini in a thermos.

    Reply
  5. Tracy

    August 14, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    I like the idea of using a vegetable peeler to be able to fit more veggies in wraps. Thanks for sharing! One trick I do with my wraps is roll them up in aluminum foil. Then, when I need to eat them on the run I can peel a circle layer off of the foil at a time as I eat down the wrap. It keeps the wrap together, minimizes a mess, and is easy for on-the-go. The lunchbox you’re featuring looks like a great tool to help pack healthy lunches with a variety of fruits and veggies. Thanks for all you do and share!

    Reply
  6. Melissa

    August 14, 2015 at 8:54 am

    My kids love meatballs.

    Reply
  7. Holly

    August 14, 2015 at 6:37 am

    This would be really neat! Try to add fun bright colors to their lunches with napkins straws silverware etc.

    Reply
  8. Deja

    August 13, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    One of the best lunch tips I can think of is using leftovers. It’s quick, easy, and you don’t have to worry about the leftovers spoiling later in the week.

    Reply
  9. Talia B.

    August 13, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    We don’t have to pack lunches often, so sandwiches, or meat and cheese, fruit, veggies, and whatever homemade baked good I have laying around often go in out lunchbox.

    Reply
  10. Rachel

    August 13, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    Thanks for the tip! I love to pack all different kinds of wraps in my kids lunches!

    Reply
  11. Haley Nguyen

    August 13, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    My favorite items to put into a lunch box are, any type of wrap, carrots with hummus, and fruit. I would like to win this lunchbox so I could be ready for school! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Susan

    August 13, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Candied Ginger is a fun and tasty addition in a lunch box.

    Reply
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