Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the flavors of a cheeseburger in a fun, bite-sized form
- Great for snacks, lunches, or dinner
- Easy to make with store-bought dough or homemade
- Perfect for meal prepping or freezer meals
- Crowd-pleasing and kid-friendly
- Customizable with your favorite burger toppings
- Less messy than traditional burgers
- Ideal for parties, potlucks, or picnics
- Can be made ahead of time
- Baked—not fried—for a lighter option
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion, finely chopped
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Ketchup and mustard (for classic burger flavor)
- Shredded cheddar or American cheese
- Refrigerated pizza dough, crescent roll dough, or puff pastry
- Optional toppings: pickles, cooked bacon bits, chopped jalapeños, or sautéed mushrooms
- Egg (for egg wash)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onions until browned. Drain excess fat and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in ketchup and mustard. Cook for another minute until heated through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle.
- Spread the cooled meat mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Roll the dough up tightly from the longer edge into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
- Slice into 1-inch rounds and place cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve warm with dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, or burger sauce.
Servings and timing
Makes about 12 pinwheels.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: 30–35 minutes
Variations
- Cheeseburger Deluxe: Add chopped pickles, tomatoes, or lettuce after baking.
- Spicy version: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- BBQ burger: Use BBQ sauce instead of ketchup and mustard.
- Bacon cheeseburger: Add cooked bacon bits to the filling.
- Breakfast style: Mix scrambled eggs into the meat for a breakfast twist.
- Philly-style: Add sautéed bell peppers and mushrooms for a cheesesteak flavor.
- Mini pinwheels: Slice thinner for bite-sized appetizers.
- Low-carb version: Use low-carb dough or wrap in lettuce post-baking.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked pinwheels for up to 2 months. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes or in an air fryer until warmed and crispy. Avoid microwaving to keep texture crisp.
FAQs
Can I use crescent roll dough for this recipe?
Yes, crescent roll dough works great and adds a buttery, flaky texture.
Can I make hamburger pinwheels ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble them and refrigerate for a few hours before baking, or freeze for later.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar, American, or any good melting cheese like Colby Jack or mozzarella.
How do I keep the pinwheels from unrolling?
Roll the dough tightly, pinch the edge to seal, and place seam side down when baking.
Can I use puff pastry instead of pizza dough?
Yes, puff pastry gives a flakier, crispier texture—just reduce the baking time slightly.
Can I serve these cold?
They’re best warm, but they can be served at room temperature, especially for parties or lunchboxes.
What sauces go well with hamburger pinwheels?
Ketchup, mustard, ranch, burger sauce, or even spicy mayo.
Can I make them vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the beef with plant-based meat or sautéed mushrooms and veggies.
Can I reheat them in the microwave?
Yes, but they may lose their crispness. For best results, use an oven or air fryer.
Are these good for kids?
Definitely! They’re fun to eat, easy to handle, and full of familiar cheeseburger flavor.
Conclusion
Easy Hamburger Pinwheels are a fun, flavorful way to enjoy classic burger taste in a bite-sized, oven-baked form. Whether you’re hosting a party, planning meals for the week, or looking for something new to add to your dinner rotation, these pinwheels deliver big taste with minimal effort. Get creative with the fillings and watch them disappear from the plate!
PrintEasy Hamburger Pinwheels
Easy Hamburger Pinwheels combine the flavor of a cheeseburger with the fun of a savory roll-up. Made with seasoned ground beef, cheese, and dough, these oven-baked pinwheels are perfect for snacks, parties, or weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
- Yield: 12 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
- 1 sheet refrigerated pizza dough, crescent roll dough, or puff pastry
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional toppings: 1/4 cup cooked bacon bits, 1/4 cup chopped pickles, 1 tbsp chopped jalapeños, sautéed mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in ketchup and mustard. Cook for 1 more minute, then remove from heat to cool slightly.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
- Spread beef mixture evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with shredded cheese and any optional toppings.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
- Slice the log into 1-inch rounds and place cut-side up on the baking sheet.
- Brush tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Serve warm with dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, or burger sauce.
Notes
- Cool the beef mixture before adding to dough to avoid soggy pinwheels.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Chilling the rolled log for 10–15 minutes makes slicing easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg