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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.
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.
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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.
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.
- Make a base
Spread the hummus over the tortilla. - Add the fillings
Top the tortilla with spinach, sliced turkey, and shredded carrots. - 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.
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.
Easy Turkey Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 1 large whole grain tortilla
- 1 tablespoon hummus
- 1 handful Handful spinach or mixed greens
- 2-3 slices deli turkey
- Shredded or matchstick carrots
Instructions
- Place the tortilla on a flat surface. Spread hummus, top with field greens, place turkey slices on top and sprinkle carrots over the turkey.
- Beginning on one end, roll the tortilla tightly. Slice in half, and then in one-inch pieces.
Susan says
I like to add pureed veggies into sauces and recipes that kids would not expect. That way, there is no resistance and better nutrition.
Jessica Shepard says
I pack bento lunches for my hubby and our daughter every weekday. We do salads, cheeses, small wraps, crackers, sliced fruits, trail mix. and more! We need to get a new box and I’d love to try this style! Thanks.
Debbie says
We are working hard to eat healthier meals, especially for lunch. So these bento lunch containers would be perfect for my son’s pita slices and hummus, which we recently discovered we love.
Selena says
Hoping this is the bentology giveaway mentioned in the email! If so…cheese and crackers are the favorite lunch item at my house.
Lara Cohen says
My favorite lunchbox tool is silicon muffin cups. I can squish them into rectangle containers and add a few cucumbers or berries, pieces of cheese, carrots, etc to a sandwich. Or an ACTUAL muffin!
Rachel says
That’s my favorite too! I love how they add an extra pop of color and make a large lunch box section a little smaller. Sometimes I even stack them in order to keep something dry that needs a cover from not spreading all over the lunch box before lunch.
Jen says
Hi, what kind of lunch container is this?
Laura Fuentes says
This is a Bentology lunch container. Can be found here.
Pam says
My kids love the pinwheels and any type of kabob I put on a stick, veggies, fruits, meat and cheese. You put it on sticks and they will eat it.
Thank you for the idea!
Pam
Pamela says
My daughter loves it all. I pack lunches for the week and she now eats better and tells me how much she enjoyed her lunch. I would love to try this with her and for my older daughter. Wraps and dips are a must in my house!
Kami Joy says
I am a mom of 5 kiddo’s ages 8 to 13. Our fav’s for tools are silicone baking cups (to keep things seperate) & food pics to hold things together or just look cute. A major staple regarding food is definitely tortilla wraps… even my picky eaters will eat it if it’s in a wrap! Dips are sometimes necessary to encourage veggies get eaten. I also allow them to pack their own lunch if they want to & give them leftovers from dinner if they request it. I have mostly eliminated taking the time to make “cute” lunches, but still like to do some “themed” lunches, especially around the Holidays.
Maggi Allred says
I love to pack yogurt parfaits with granola. They tast amazing and my son loves them and is always asking for them.
Sue Hanmann says
With two boys with an autoimmune disease cold lunch is a must for school. Keeping lunch interesting is challenging. Nuts, wraps, hot thermos is a great idea.
Kitchen tip: hashbrown using waffle iron.