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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.
Katie says
I like to use my Pampered Chef veggie peelers and slicers to cut things for my daughter’s lunch. Also the silicon baking cups are good to divide food.
Amanda Robertson says
Great giveaway! I’m still a work in progress… but when I have time I like to do the following:
– I like to wash all of my fruits/veggies before they get into the fridge. It helps speed up dinner/lunch prep and allows the kids to easily get snacks on their own.
– also remove yogurt/applesauce single serve containers from boxes before putting in the fridge to save the wrestling match.
– When storing leftovers from dinner they go right into one or more work/microwave friendly glass containers in lunch size portions.
– On good nights (soon to be every night hopefully…) I fill the kettle, get my tea bag/sugar in my thermos and all set for the morning with non-refrigerated snacks.
Steff says
My two daughters pack the bulk of their lunches on Sunday. They each have a gallon sized ziploc bag with the name of the week on it. They are to pack 2 snacks from their snack cabinet that does not need to be refrigerated. I have printed and laminated names of fruit or other refrigerated items they may want me to add each day of the week in the morning before we head off to school. They put that slip of paper in the baggie as well. This is my way of ensuring that they will not say to me at the end of the day that they didn’t like what was packed. They are accountable for eating the lunch they packed with the healthy choices I made available to them.
Jerie says
I like to use an egg slicer to easily slice strawberries.
Laura Fuentes says
Genius!
ashli m. says
In my house the kids favorite is either a tortilla wrap or sandwhich cut up into shapes with yogurt and fruit cut up in shapes too..