Pears, Asiago, Pistachios and Cranberries in Puff Pastry

Pinwheel appetizers are always fun to make and eat, and these easy to make appetizers for  Pears, Asiago, Pistachio, and Cranberries in Puff Pastry are delicious bite-sized fruity and savory nibbles all wrapped up in golden brown pastries. 

First Published: March 18, 2018… Last Updated: January 1, 2020 

Pears are so underrated and for the most part, totally overlooked. Why, I don’t know because I love a good fresh, ripe juicy pear. And I like to use pears for baking, They add a fresh sweet and sometimes spicy flavor to cobblers, pies, muffins, and these amazing appetizers. So next time you are thinking of using an apple in a recipe, switch it out for a pear.

What I like about this appetizer

These pinwheels are so easy to make and you can change up the ingredients.

• You can use pecans instead of pistachios or use them both
• Use a different hard cheese like parmesan, or gouda instead of Asiago cheese
• Add dried cherries instead of dried cranberries

Another thing I really like is these pastries are bite-sized, which I think makes them a perfect appetizer.  I just don’t like fiddling with messy appetizers that fall apart after one bite or having to get the gooey cheese on my cracker while holding a glass of wine.  Do ya know what I mean???

These ingredients are perfect for a fruit and cheese tray, but cutting them up and rolling in puff pastry makes a simple but delicious appetizer.

Your ingredient list  

• Puff Pastry
• Pears
• Asiago Cheese – I use Peppered Asiago
• Pistachios
• Cranberries
• Egg
• Sea Salt

How to make

Step 1. Cut the pears into small cubes.

Step 2. Chop the pistachios and cranberries into smaller pieces.

Step 3. Shred the cheese

Step 4. Unfold the thawed pastry sheets out on a floured board and roll into a 10″ square, then cut to make two 5″ by 10″ rectangles. Brush each pastry sheet with the beaten egg.

Step 5. Spread the pears, cheese, pistachios, and cranberries on each pastry sheet.

Step 6. Roll the long side of the pastry dough over the ingredients into a tight roll, sealing the edges with the beaten egg.

Step 7. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for an hour

Step 8. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.,  and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 9.  Cut each pastry roll in ½″ slices and place on the baking sheet, then sprinkle with salt.

Step 10. Bake the pastries for 17 – 20 minutes, until the cheese is melty and the puff pastry is golden brown.

Step 11. Serve these pastries warm. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

So, so simple. You can even keep the unbaked pastry rolls in the freezer for a couple of weeks.  It’s a good appetizer to have on hand.

One bite and you will know why these are my favorite appetizers.  The pears and cranberries add some sweetness and the peppered Asiago cheese, and pistachios add a nice savory component to these pinwheels.  These are best served warm and they won’t last long.

I love using fruit that is in season when baking, it’s fresh, flavorful, juicy, and ripe. You can definitely buy pears year around but most pears are in season from August through January and there are so many tasty varieties to choose from.

The Difference in a Bosc and an Anjou Pear

• The Bosc pear is the one with the cinnamon-colored skin and a beautiful pear shape.  This sweet pear has a firm but juicy texture and is perfect for baking.
• The Anjou pear has that pretty green skin, its texture is soft and juicy, and moderately sweet.
• Read about when pears are in season on the January Seasonal Fruit Guide.

Other great appetizers from One Hot Oven

Apricot Parmesan Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Savory Mini Swiss Cheese Quiches

Mini Chicken Taco Cups

Rosemary and Asiago Cheese Popcorn

Savory Cotswold Cheese Crackers

Don’t forget the ingredients

To make these pinwheels you need a few basics to get you going

Puff pastry is the base of these pinwheels and Pepperidge Farms Frozen Puff Pastry is available at most stores. Asiago cheese has a delicious nutty flavor and is perfect for shredding or grating.

Let’s make some pinwheels

Next time you need a tasty appetizer give this pear recipe a try, you and your guests will love them.

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About Jere’

From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending.  Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory recipes with all my baking friends.