If you’re looking for a super quick and easy snack to serve at parties, then you’ll have to make these vegan Pumpkin Basil Pinwheels. They are a real crowd-pleaser and the best part is that you only need 4 ingredients to make them!
For quick and easy snacks and finger foods, I love working with puff pastry dough! These Pumpkin Basil Pinwheels are the perfect party food because they are a real crowd-pleaser and so quick to make. They are also a great appetizer if you get a spontaneous visit!
I’ve actually made these for a Halloween party and they were gone so quick! No one noticed these were vegan, which is the best compliment in my opinion! They are creamy and yummy.
Vegan Puff Pastry
In Austria, most of the puff pastry doughs are (accidentally) vegan. They usually have the vegan label on the packaging, so it’s easy to spot them. In the US, Pepperidge Farm puff pastry dough is vegan (but it’s always best to check the ingredients to be sure!).
How to make Vegan Pumpkin Basil Pinwheels
Here are the ingredients that you will need:
- puff pastry
- pumpkin puree (you can use store-bought pumpkin puree or make your own by blending cooked, steamed or roasted pumpkin)
- salt
- basil leaves
These Pumpkin Basil Pinwheels are super easy and quick to make:
Preparation: We don’t have canned pumpkin puree in Austria, so I cooked cubed pumpkin until soft and blended it in my food processor until smooth and creamy. Super easy! Of course, you can use store-bought pumpkin puree instead!
Step 1: Roll out the puff pastry dough, add the salted pumpkin purée and basil leaves.
Tip: Just make sure you’re not using too much pumpkin puree or it will be really hard to roll in and the puree will leak out on the sides.
Step 2: Roll it in. Close the edge by pressing it down carefully.
Step 3: Cut the roll in about 25 slices. It helps if you wet the knife, you’ll be able to cut through easier! But don’t worry about the form at all, they will pop back into shape once baked.
Step 4: Place the pinwheels on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5: They should get a lovely golden color! Let them cool off and serve!
More Vegan Pinwheel Recipes
Puff pastry dough makes a great base for quick snacks! Here are a couple of other pinwheel recipes that I love:
I hope you enjoy these pinwheels with pumpkin and basil as much as I do! Let me know in the comments if you make them!
Cheers, Bianca
Vegan Pumpkin Basil Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 1 package vegan puff pastry dough *
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree **
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Combine the pumpkin puree** and salt.
- Roll out the puff pastry dough, spread the salted pumpkin puree on the puff pastry dough, leave out the bottom border and sprinkle the basil leaves on top.
- Roll the puff pastry dough in (as tight as possible) and close the edge.
- Cut the puff pastry dough roll in about 25 pieces and place the pinwheels on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool off and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Just make sure you're not using too much pumpkin puree or it will be really hard to roll in and the puree will leak out on the sides. A thin layer of filling will work best.
- The filling should be seasoned well (salty enough) so that the pinwheels don't turn out bland.
Natalie
I loved your first Pinwheel recipe, and I love this festive fall version! They look so fancy, the short ingredient list always shocks me. Exactly the sort of thing to bring to a party to impress people with you amazing baking skills ;)
Bianca
Amazing baking skills, what do you mean? :P :D Hah, but thanks Natalie! I was a bit late to the pumpkin-party but now I’m taking full advantage of this amazing seasonal produce (I’m ready when everyone else is already bored of pumpkins :D). And there will be another pinwheel-recipe coming up (which is the one I usually bring to parties).
Kristin
These are absolutely delicious! I added some shaved Parmesan to the tops of them before I stuck them in the oven. My older daughter who is finicky as all get out raved about them! Thanks for sharing!
Bianca
Yeay! So glad you both enjoyed them! :)
Strength and Sunshine
Ooooo :O I saw this wonderful gluten-free puff pastry, but then when I looked at the ingredients it had egg so I cried :( No pinwheels for me, but wonderful recipe!
Bianca
Noooo! But I’m sure it’s just a matter of time :)
Kyra
I love the combination of pumpkin and basil! I can just imagine how these would taste…yummmm <3 I love making pinwheels using homemade dough, but puff pastry is fun to speed up the process :D
Katie @ Produce on Parade
This is such a cool recipe! You are so awesome, Bianca. I love how cute they are and I’m always down for pumpkin…and puff pastry for that matter! :)
Bianca
Thank you so much, Katie! I’m honored to have you on my site! :D I’m glad you like these fall-inspired pinwheels. Pinwheels of all kinds are actually one of my favorite snacks for parties or get-togethers. I love that you can fill them with different seasonal ingredients (pumpkin, wild garlic pesto,…) and they are so crazy quick to make :)
pbeechie
Oh. My goodness. Where can I get that puff pastry dough?! Is there a specific brand – I’ve never bought it before.
Bianca
I’m not from the US but a lovely reader told me that whole foods has a vegan one (usually right next to the ice cream section). I don’t know what brand it is, though. I hope you find it! :)
Melissa
I am SO making this when Fall rolls around. Chopped sage could even be good too, in place of basil!
Bianca
That sounds lovely, Melissa! It’s one of my favorite things to make with pumpkin, so I hope you’ll enjoy it too! :)
Milana
It is so easy and looks so nice. Thank you as a idea how to serve something interesting to our friends. In our country we make similar snacks ( with pesto, with tomato, also with cheese, but use pumkin and basil is great idea. I go to try it!
Bianca
Thanks Milana! We usually make pizza pinwheels here too, that’s how I was inspired to make these pumpkin basil pinwheels :) I also have a recipe for Wild Garlic Pesto Pinwheels on the blog – these are so good when wild garlic is in season. For parties, I love making these pinwheels with different fillings, so there’s something for everyone :)
Allison
WOW, this looks so incredibly easy and delicious! I’m already starting to plan my “Friendsgiving” celebration for next month; with most of my friends being vegan, I think this’ll be an appetizer that pleases all of them. And I’ll love it because I am a pumpkin FIEND. Ha! I put it in virtually everything. Good to know there is vegan-friendly puff pastry at Whole Foods, too! I’m gonna have to search for that next time I’m there. :-) I’ll have to keep my eyes peeling for other vegan-friendly brands…
Bianca
I think these will be perfect for a friendsgiving! :) Whenever I make them, they are gone so quickly, so that’s a good sign :) I hope you’ll find a vegan puff pastry! And have a wonderful thanksgiving <3
Allison
Thank you so much! :-)
JAE
I made this yesterday for an afternoon snack for family
and friends. Unfortunately I only had fresh sage on hand, which worked. These were so perfect and pretty my friends thought I bought these at a bakery.
Everyone LOVED these pumpkin pinwheels. My teenage son broke out the pumpkin butter and slatherd it on his. His addition was actually tasty too.
Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Bianca
Ohhh, I’m so glad they turned out perfect! Using sage instead of basil actually sounds like a nice variation. I have to try it sometime :)
Astrid
Hi Bianca, I made your pumpkin pinwheels for a catering job earlier this week and they turned out really nice. I also used sage and I think it is a lovey combination. I made them 1 day in advance, baked them and regenerated a few minutes in a hot oven. Worked perfectly! I also made the pinwheels with a combination of mushrooms, union, thyme and a vegan cheese ‘sauce’. This also tasted very good. Thanks for your recipe!
Bianca
I’m glad they turned out great, Astrid! :) The second combination sounds really good too :)
suzanne
Can these be prepared ahead of time and reheated or frozen (cut) and then baked?. I am looking to serve them at a party but need to cut down on prep time.
Karen
Can these be cooked and frozen for reheating later?
Michelle
So cute! Do you think sweet potato would work? My gf is not a pumpkin fan (sigh).
Bianca
absolutely! I think that is an awesome idea!
karmaganics
Just started trying to incorporate a lot more vegan recipes in my repertoire. I will have to check this one out since I love pumpkin. Thanks!
Case
We decided to go vegan after covid started but have been struggling to find tasty fall recipes to replace stews, etc. This recipe was a big hit – even the kids loved it.
Bianca
Yeah! I am so happy to hear that! :)