Julie Clark
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Mexican Tortilla Rollups
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These bite-size Mexican Tortilla Rollups are an easy appetizer to share at a party. Roll up, refrigerate, slice and serve with salsa.
I love appetizer recipes.
I think if I could skip the main dish of a meal and just focus on appetizers I’d be satisfied. Sometimes when we have family get-togethers, we tell everyone to bring their favorite finger food or appetizer. Those end up being my favorite family meals! When food is bite-sized, you get to try a little bit of everything, then still have room to go back for more of what you really loved.
Mexican appetizers are always a hit. I first tasted these Mexican Tortilla Rollups this summer potluck at a friend’s house. I ate way too many of them, then asked for the recipe. Now we enjoy them any time of the year, especially during the holidays. They make a great New Year’s Eve snack.
About these Mexican Tortilla Rollups:
- Flavor: The main flavor in the cream cheese tortilla rollups is…cream cheese. You’ll get hints of the cheddar cheese as well, but the cream cheese pairs well with the stronger flavored chiles and olives.
- Texture: The tortilla is a little chewy, but the filling is creamy. Although I don’t love olives or chiles, you won’t notice the texture that much in these rollups thanks to the flour tortillas.
You may also like our Italian pepperoni rollups.
Make Ahead Appetizer
You’ll love these little bite-sized rollups because they are simple to prepare. They can also be made ahead of time. I know that when I am getting ready to have company, anything that is meant to be made ahead is a life-saver and a time-saver.
To make in advance, I get the tortillas all rolled up, then refrigerate until I’m ready to slice them before the party.
How to Make Mexican Tortilla Rollups
- Mix up the ingredients and spread the cream cheese mixture equally over 5 tortillas that are 10″ in diameter.
- Roll those tortillas up tightly, then wrap them in plastic wrap.
- Pop them into the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 2-3 hours. I made mine the day before our party so they were nice and firm.
- Slice the tortillas using a sharp serrated knife so they are about ½ an inch thick. You can cut off the end of the tortillas where it is not as thick. Store those in a baggie and eat them later…just because they are not as perfectly pretty doesn’t mean they aren’t good. Those leftovers will make a great snack.
Recipe Variations
- Add diced red onion, green onions or peppers to the cream cheese filling.
- Add ranch dressing mix or taco seasoning spice to the cream cheese mixture for different flavored tortilla pinwheels.
What to serve with tortilla roll ups?
Serve the tortilla roll ups on a platter with queso, guacamole or salsa (even mango salsa) for dipping in a cute salsa bowl, of course!
With the red salsa or salsa verde, these make such a pretty appetizer for the upcoming holiday season. They are great with tortilla chips, refried beans or Mexican dishes such as taco lasagna.
For main dishes, serve with Mexican chicken, sweet potato chili or ham sandwiches.
Are appetizers one of your favorite parts of holiday parties?
Other Mexican Appetizer Recipes
Mexican Tortilla Rollups
These bite-size Mexican Tortilla Rollups are an easy appetizer to share at a party. Roll up, refrigerate, slice and serve with salsa!
Servings 40 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4.5 ounces green chilies (1 small can) drained and diced
- 4.5 ounces chopped black olives (1 small can) drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt or more to taste
- 5 10″ flour tortillas
Instructions
- Blend together sour cream and cream cheese with mixer. Stir in chilies, olives, cheese and seasonings. 8 ounces sour cream, 8 ounces sour cream, 4.5 ounces green chilies (1 small can), 4.5 ounces chopped black olives (1 small can), 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- Spread the mixture on equally on each of the floured tortillas and roll them up tightly. 5 10″ flour tortillas
- Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for overnight or for at least 2 hours.
- Slice and serve with salsa. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- I don’t recommend storing leftovers in the freezer. As the roll ups thaw, they may become soggy.
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.2mg
I added a layer of refried beans to the tortillas. It added color and flavor.
Have made different variation’s of Mexican Pinwheel’s. Each time adding or increasing different ingredient’s. Most recently, doubled the chili’s and cheese, and several dashes of tobasco.
As other’s have commented, green onion, salsa also seem to enhance the flavor.
I alway’s freeze some as well; making sure to wrap and double bag them, and they do very well!
We’ve made something similar for years. No sour cream though. We also add chopped green onions. Then we layer deli ham with the cheese mix before rolling. We call it Coyote Breath!
I plan on adding finely diced jalapeños in place of the green chilies. My family can handle the heat. Also adding chopped green onions.
I added some tobacco and some red chili pepper seasoning. Also chopped up a couple green onions & added to the mixture. Took half to a party, and half to work. I was told by my co-workers that this is to be my new potluck item, from now on! LOL! Delicious!
Hi ladies we had a great Christmas went to church for the new year we will also be in church wen we back we ring in the new with family..friends..and a braai wishing you and ur families a blessed new year and a prosperous one lots of lov from the Naidoo family
Delicious!!
My friend does the fiesta ranch packet and a small thing of medium Tostitos salsa with the cream cheese, cheese, and sour cream.
Clipped this recipe over 30 years ago from my hometown newspaper. It recommended puttng the slices on a glass plate with some parsley sprigs tucked around for a pretty presentation. I found you really have to drain the olives and especially the green chilis very well or they get soggy. I have also experimented with various flavors of tortillas and found the spinach tortillas one go before the regular – perhaps people think they are healthier?
52 calories per slice?
try adding a fiesta ranch packet…amazing!
Can these be frozen?
Whipped cream cheese mixed with Pace medium picante sauce works well also.
I make something similar, however, I do not use sour cream, garlic powder, cheddar cheese or salt. I do put in chopped ham, Tobasco, and a dash of cumin. People go CRAZY for them!
What size can of chilies do you use? There are two sizes at my Target.
Thanks!
I love Mexican rolls a lot. I have tried chicken Mexican rolls but have never eaten Mexican tortilla rollups before. Now I will surely try this Mexican rolls the very next time I visit a restaurant. Can you recommend me some hot salsa sauce to have with these rollups?