Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels

Name: Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 sheet butter puff pastry (See Note 1); 1 tsp ground cinnamon (See Note 2); 2 tbsp sugar (See Note 3); 1 cooking apple - I use Granny Smith

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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These delicious Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels are the perfect sweet treat to make. Enjoy them with tea or coffee, a scoop of ice cream for dessert or add them to a lunchbox. Flaky puff pastry is filled with cinnamon and apples and baked until crisp and golden. Try a batch of these four ingredient treats today!

Pinwheels sitting on a round white plate, with some cinnamon and apple around the edge.

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Why we love this recipe:
Ingredients in this recipe:
Step by step instructions:
Tips for success and FAQs:
More delicious recipes for you to try :
Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels

Why we love this recipe:

A reader favourite recipe is our Cinnamon Puff Pastry Pinwheels. Since sharing this easy recipe, we have been asked for other variations. Our Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels are a must try!

You’ll love this recipe because:

it contains just 4 ingredients – puff pastry, sugar, cinnamon and apples. You may find you already have these on hand!
they are perfect to prepare in advance or last minute – and they take very little time.
the pinwheels are delicious served warm or can be packed in a lunchbox or for a picnic.
this sweet treat can be adapted to make gluten-free or vegan. Just use the appropriate puff pastry, which you will be able to find at major supermarkets.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Frozen puff pastry – for the best flavour, I use an all-butter puff pastry. However, you can use vegan or gluten-free pastry to suit dietary requirements.

Cinnamon sugar mixture – powdered cinnamon combines with sugar to make a sweet, gently spiced filling for the pinwheels.

Cooking apple – I use Granny Smith. Use a variety ideal for cooking, so that the apple retains its shape.

Step by step instructions:

Steps 1-4 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - mixing the cinnamon and sugar, slicing the apple, topping the pastry with the cinnamon sugar, and then topping with apple and starting to roll.

Steps 5-8 of preparing this recipe in a photo collage - chilling the pastry, slicing the ends off the pastry, the pinwheels on a baking tray and the baked pinwheels.

To begin, remove the puff pastry from the freezer to defrost and then line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Preheat your oven.

Mix the cinnamon and sugar together.
Finely chop the apple.
Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly across your sheet of puff pastry.
Add the chopped apple, and start to the roll the puff pastry. Start with the edge nearest to you, and roll foward to form a log, keeping it as tight as possible to enclose the filling.
Wrap the roll in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least a half-hour to enable the pastry to chill and firm up.
Using a sharp serrated knife, trim the ends of the pastry, and then cut the pastry into approximately 1 cm (½ inch) slices.
Arrange the pinwheels on the prepared baking tray leaving some room between each one, as they will spread when they bake. Place the tray into the oven and bake for about 12 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
Remove the tray and place the pinwheels onto a cooling rack. Enjoy!

Pinwheels on some baking paper, with some apple slices.

Tips for success and FAQs:

It is essential that you use fresh cinnamon as spices lose their fragrance and flavour over time.

Always keep your puff pastry cool. If it defrosts before you are ready to use it, just cover it and return it to the fridge. It will be too difficult to work with if it does not remain chilled. On the other hand, if it is not sufficiently defrosted, it will crack as you attempt to roll it.

Do not attempt to eat the cinnamon pinwheels when fresh out of the oven; the sugar will be very hot. However, you don’t need to let them fully cool down either. They are delicious enjoyed whilst still warm!

How far in advance can I prepare the Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels?

They are best on the day that they are made, but you can always reheat them if needed. They will keep for 3 days in a sealed container.

Can I freeze the Pinwheels?

Yes, you can freeze the pinwheels for up to 3 months. Just ensure they are separated by a layer of baking paper so they do not stick together.

More delicious recipes for you to try :

We love recipes that use puff pastry – it is such a fantastic ingredient to have on hand. Here are some more of our favourite sweet recipes for you to try:

I always ensure that I have some puff pastry in the freezer. This way an appetiser, pie or sweet treat is but minutes away.

These Cinnamon Apple Pinwheels have many uses. They are ideal with a cup of tea or coffee, at any time of the day. Serve a platter at a brunch party; pastries are always popular. Or my favourite way to enjoy them? With a scoop of our No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream or Easy Lemon Ice Cream.

I would love to hear if you try these simple sweet pastries! Let me know in the comments below.

Alex xx