Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels
Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels are a delectable Indo-Chinese fusion appetizer that combines flaky puff pastry with a spicy paneer filling. Perfect for parties or a cozy night in, these pinwheels are both flavorful and easy to prepare.
If you’re looking for an appetizer that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress, these Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels are the perfect choice! This vegetarian delight brings together flaky puff pastry, spicy Schezwan sauce, and a medley of colorful veggies, paneer, and cheese. Each bite is a burst of texture and spice, combining crispy pastry with a rich filling of onions, bell peppers, scallions, and gooey melted cheese. This Indo-Chinese fusion recipe is a must try.
Great for parties, potlucks, or even a cozy night in, these pinwheels can be baked in the oven or even air-fried. Plus, they’re easy to customize—swap in plant-based cheese or tofu to make them vegan without compromising flavor. Whip up these Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels and watch them disappear from the table!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With store-bought puff pastry and a simple paneer filling, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Irresistible Flavor: The spicy Schezwan sauce combined with creamy paneer creates a flavor-packed bite every time.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a party, potluck, or a cozy evening snack, these pinwheels are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Customizable: Easily tweak the recipe to make it spicier, milder, or even vegan!
- Vegetarian-Friendly: A satisfying and flavorful snack that’s perfect for vegetarians (and loved by non-vegetarians too).
- Kid-Approved: The flaky pastry and mildly spicy filling make it a hit with kids as well.
- Prep Ahead: You can prepare these pinwheels ahead of time and bake them fresh before serving.
Ingredients:
For the Schezwan Paneer Mixture
- Paneer, cut into small cubes
- Red onion, finely chopped
- Bell pepper, finely chopped
- Scallions, finely chopped
- Schezwan chutney
- Soy sauce
- Salt
- White pepper
- Garlic powder
- Sugar
For Assembly
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Puff pastry, thawed
- Milk, for brushing
- Oil, for brushing
How to Make Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels
1. Prepare the Schezwan Paneer Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, combine paneer cubes, red onion, bell pepper, scallions, Schezwan chutney, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, garlic powder, and sugar. Mix until all ingredients are well coated.
2. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Assemble the Pinwheels
- Place the thawed puff pastry sheet on a parchment-lined surface.
- Gently roll out the pastry slightly to even it out, ensuring it doesn’t become too thin. ◦ Brush milk along the top and bottom edges of the pastry.
- Spread the Schezwan paneer mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving about an inch border along the top and bottom edges and a 1/2 inch border on the sides.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the paneer mixture.
- Fold the top edge over the filling and press down gently.
- Carefully roll the pastry into a tight log, starting from the bottom edge. ◦ If the log feels flimsy, place it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up.
4. Slice and Bake
- Using a serrated knife, cut the log into 1-inch thick pinwheels.
- Arrange the pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking tray, spacing them slightly apart. ◦ Brush or spray the tops with avocado oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through, until golden brown.
5. Serve
- Allow the pinwheels to cool for 5-8 minutes after baking.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels
- Opt for Schezwan chutney rather than Schezwan cooking sauce for authentic flavor.
- For a homemade Schezwan chutney, refer to this recipe.
- If shredded mozzarella isn’t available, Amul cheese is a suitable alternative.
- Pepperidge Farm puff pastry is recommended for best results.
- Ensure the pastry is rolled tightly to maintain shape during baking.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute paneer with tofu and use plant-based cheese; many store-bought puff pastries are vegan-friendly.
- Chilling the rolled log before slicing helps in maintaining the pinwheel shape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the pinwheels, cover them tightly, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking. Bake them fresh before serving for the best texture and flavor.
What can I use instead of paneer?
You can substitute paneer with tofu for a vegan option or even shredded mozzarella for a cheesier version. Adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Can I freeze the pinwheels?
Absolutely! Assemble the pinwheels and freeze them on a tray until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-lock bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How spicy are these pinwheels?
The spice level depends on the amount of Schezwan sauce you use. For a milder version, reduce the sauce or use a sweet chili sauce instead.
What dipping sauces go best with this recipe?
Mint chutney, creamy garlic yogurt dip, or a sweet chili sauce pair perfectly with these pinwheels.
Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Yes, homemade puff pastry works wonderfully if you have the time. However, store-bought puff pastry is a quick and reliable option.
Can I bake these in an air fryer?
Yes, air frying works great! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Schezwan Paneer Pinwheels: Spicy, Flavor-Packed Vegetarian Puff Pastry Bites
Schezwan Paneer Mixture:
- 180-200 g paneer cut into small cubes
- 1/3 small red onion chopped finely; about 1/4 cup
- 1/3 bell pepper chopped finely; about 1/4 cup; you can use any color you like
- 3-4 scallions chopped finely
- 1/3-1/2 cup schezwan chutney as per spice level
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt as per taste
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Assembly:
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 sheet/8.5-9 oz puff pastry sheet thawed
- 1 tbsp avocado oil to brush
- 1 tbsp Milk to brush
- Schezwan Paneer Mixture: In a mixing bowl add paneer, onions, peppers, scallions, schezwan chutney, soy sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and sugar. Mix it till combined and everything is coated well.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Assembly: Place the thawed puff pastry sheet on a parchment and gently roll it out a little bit using a rolling pin. You don’t want it too thin.
- Brush milk over the top and bottom edge.
- Spread the schezwan paneer mixture on the puff pastry, leaving about an inch along the top and bottom edges and 1/2 inch along the side edges. Sprinkle cheese over the paneer.
- Fold the top edge over the paneer mixture and press down. Start rolling the puff pastry over itself to form a log. Try to roll it as tight as possible.
- Roll the log gently to make sure the log is well rolled. If it seems flimsy, freeze for 20-30 minutes.
- Use a serrated knife to cut it into 1-inch pinwheels, I cut them into about 12-14 pieces. Place them with a little space apart on a parchment-lined baking tray. Brush/spray some oil over the pinwheels.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400F. Rotate the tray midway.
- Once out of the oven let it cool for 5-8 mins.
- Serve & enjoy!
- Use schezwan chutney and not the schezwan cooking sauce.
- For a homemade schezwan chutney click here
for
the recipe. - If you can’t find shredded mozzarella cheese you can use Amul.
- My favorite puff pastry brand is Pepperidge Farm.
- Make sure to press down the top edge and tightly roll every fold.
- To make it vegan- use plant-based cheeses and tofu, most of the puff
parties I have found in the markets in the USA are vegan-friendly. - Freezing the log will help it maintain pinwheel shape while baking.
Hello,
I’m Pooja.
Dietary Labels
- VVegan
- GFGluten Free
- EFEgg Free
- FFruits
- HPHigh Protein
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Please let me know can i use paneer after Fri!
Yes you can
How much Qty please!
3 plates
test
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