Savory Palmiers (Pesto Puff Pastry Pinwheels)

These savory palmiers are a quick and easy puff pastry appetizer made with flaky layers, pesto, and melted cheese. Crisp, golden, and full of flavor, they're perfect for holiday platters, entertaining, or last-minute snack boards.

If you've already tried our sweet version, you'll love this savory twist on classic French Palmiers. Instead of sugar, we're layering pesto and cheese for a deliciously cheesy, herby bite that's hard to stop at just one.

We love making these when we need something impressive with minimal effort.They're ready in about 30 minutes and use just a handful of ingredients. Using store-bought puff pastry keeps things easy while still giving you that light, buttery, bakery-style finish.

Scroll down for step-by-step photos, helpful tips, and fun flavor variations!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Savory Palmiers
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make Savory Palmiers
• Cool
• Flavor Variations, Substitutions and Add-Ins
• What to Serve with Savory Palmiers
• Storage Instructions
• FAQ's
• More Appetizer Recipes to Try
• Savory Palmiers (Pesto Puff Pastry Pinwheels)

Why You'll Love These Savory Palmiers

• Quick and easy appetizer - Made with store-bought puff pastry and just a few simple ingredients.
• Perfect for entertaining - Ideal for holiday platters, snack boards, or last-minute guests.
• Crispy, flaky, and cheesy - Buttery layers with golden edges and melty cheese in every bite.
• Customizable flavors - Easily switch up the fillings with different cheeses, spreads, or add-ins.
• Make-ahead friendly - Prep in advance and bake fresh when you're ready to serve.

Ingredients You'll Need

These pesto puff pastry pinwheels use just a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully.

• Puff pastry - Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly here and keeps things quick and easy.
• Basil pesto - Adds a rich, herby flavor. You can use store-bought or try our homemade basil pesto for extra freshness.
• Mozzarella cheese - Melts beautifully and gives that classic cheesy pull.
• Parmesan cheese - Adds a salty, nutty depth and helps create those crispy edges.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Savory Palmiers

Defrost the Puff Pastry

Thaw puff pastry in the fridge overnight.
Quick Tip: If you're short on time, you can thaw the puff pastry at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes, but keep an eye on it so it doesn't get too soft.

Fill and Fold the Pastry into Palmiers

• Lightly flour a parchment-lined flat surface.
• Unroll the puff pastry and place it on the parchment with the longer side facing you.
• Spread the basil pesto evenly over the pastry. Sprinkle it with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

• Fold each long side of the pastry inward, about ¼ of the way.
• Fold the long sides inward again so they meet in the middle.

• Lightly press the folded pastry with a rolling pin to help it hold its shape.
• Fold one side over the other to create a log, and gently press the dough together with the rolling pin without flattening it too much.

Refrigerate

Place the folded pastry log in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill on a parchment-lined baking sheet covered with plastic wrap
Chef's Tip: Freezing the pastry log can make it easier to slice the Palmiers into even pieces

Preheat the Oven

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Remove the pastry log from the fridge and use a sharp knife to slice it into 1 cm (0.4 in) thick slices. Place the slices cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving plenty of space between them as they will expand during baking.

Bake

Bake the Palmiers in the oven until golden and puffed. Keep a close eye on them, as cooking time can vary between 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your Palmiers.

Chef's Tip: Start checking around the 10-minute mark to avoid overbaking.

Cool

Once baked and golden brown, remove the Palmiers from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly. Note: They will crisp up more as they cool.

Flavor Variations, Substitutions and Add-Ins

These savory palmiers are incredibly versatile and easy to customize:

• Swap pesto for olive tapenade for a bold, salty flavor
• Add sun-dried tomatoes for extra richness
• Try spinach and feta for a Mediterranean twist
• Use red pesto (pesto rosso) for a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor
• Swap pesto for caramelized onions or fig jam for a sweet-savory twist
• Mix in cheeses like Gruyère, cheddar, or pecorino
• Add a pinch of chili flakes for a little heat 

What to Serve with Savory Palmiers

These pesto puff pastry pinwheels pair beautifully with soups, cheese boards, and a variety of appetizer-style dishes, making them perfect for entertaining or casual snacking.

• Appetizers and Snack Boards - Serve alongside Baked Camembert, an Easy Charcuterie Board or Marinated Mozzarella Balls for a simple but impressive spread.
• Dips and Mezze - Pair with Homemade Hummus, Sundried Tomato Dip or Roasted Red Pepper Dip for a Mediterranean-style platter.
• Fresh Bites - Add Caprese Skewers or a mix of marinated olives and marinated vegetables for a light, balanced contrast.
• With Soup - These are perfect with a warm bowl of Tomato Soup, Italian Chickpea Soup, Italian Minestrone Soup, Veggie Lentil Soup, or Rotisserie Chicken Orzo Soup.
• For Entertaining - Serve on a platter with cheeses, nuts, fresh fruit, and a few sweet elements like fig jam or grapes for a beautiful appetizer spread.

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.

Freezer (Make Ahead):

• Prepare and slice the palmiers, then freeze them on a lined tray. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Bake directly from frozen at 200°C (400°F) for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crisp.

FAQ's

More Appetizer Recipes to Try

If you loved these savory palmiers, here are a few more of our favorite appetizer recipes to try:

• Lebanese Moussaka - A rich and comforting eggplant and chickpea dish with warm Middle Eastern flavors.
• Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dip) - Creamy, tangy, and perfect served with warm flatbread or as part of a mezze spread.
• Easy Lamb Koftas - Juicy, flavorful skewers that are perfect for entertaining or casual dinners.
• Roasted Beet Hummus - A vibrant twist on classic hummus with earthy sweetness and a beautiful color. 

These savory palmiers are one of those recipes that look impressive but are surprisingly simple to make. With flaky layers, cheesy goodness, and bold pesto flavor, they're perfect for everything from casual snack boards to festive entertaining.

Give them a try and let us know how they turned out in the comments. Don't forget to Pin it for later or share it with a friend who loves easy appetizers!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator