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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.
Esmeralda says
I love to use the small Easy Lunch Boxes to store fruit dips for my son’s fruit. They have seal tight lids that prevent spilling inside is lunch container. I fill his lunch container (like the one’s you are giving away) with one meal and two fruit sides. He loves it!
Kaila Davidson says
Our favorite lunch box accessories are the silicone cups, and I also have an addiction to cute skewers! For food, my son doesnt like sandwiches so a lot of the time I am sending meat and cheese cubes (cue cute skewers!). He also loves those pepperoni sticks. I also found that hot dogs pack pretty well even on a bun! I just send individual packets of ketchup and relish (I keep them from takeout restaurants) so the bun doesnt get soggy.
Jenni M. says
Dates!!!! They are sweet like candy but natural
Sarah says
I love doing bento lunches for my children. Since I started following you in instagram, I got a lot of ideas and tried some of your recipe which my kids love. I like making burrito for my son. With my daughter I packed her fruits and a sandwich.
Christi says
Not food related, but i love adding a daily note in my son’s lunch. I use Lunchbox Love. It makes me feel special b/c all the kids want to read the fun fact or joke on the back of the card.
Laura Fuentes says
Love Lunchbox Love notes!