I am so excited to be partnering with the American Dairy Association this month to share a fun Back To School Dairy Fuel recipe. These Pizza Pinwheels are made with yogurt and cheese and make great lunches or after school snacks.
Do you remember school lunches as a child? Now I'm sure school lunches have come a long way since I was in school, but I just remember them not being my favorite. I always wonder how many school lunches end up in the trash just because it isn't something the kids do not like.
We have our three kids bring a bagged lunch to school most days because we like that they can choose what they will eat for the day. They do request these Reese's Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies quite often.
My kids like that they can pick different foods every day, and they like choosing how much of something they can eat. I can tell just how much they are growing by watching how much they want to eat each week.
Our kids are old enough now to pack their own lunches in the morning. Most days I just have to help warm the Chicken Noodle Soup or fill up containers with Veggie Pasta Salad if that's what they pick. They definitely are not big sandwich eaters, so I always have to have different lunch options on hand for them to choose from.
By keeping an eye on what they pack in the morning, I can make sure they aren't sneaking extra cookies or cake in their bag. We try to encourage them to eat more fruits, veggies, yogurts, and cheese.
These healthy choices help keep them fuller throughout the day, and they also provide the energy my kids need to stay focused on their school work.
This past week I wanted to try something new for lunches and our after school snack time. Our family loves eating pizza, so I incorporated those flavors into a fun pinwheel. I love being able to add yogurt and shredded cheese to the cream cheese for an added boost of protein.
Those extra proteins help keep my kids healthy and awake while they are learning at school or playing on the playground.
Did you know that most people do not get the recommended servings of dairy each day? In fact, each person usually needs one more serving a day than what they actually consume.
Pizza Pinwheels
These pinwheels are great finger foods which kids of all ages love. There is just something about small bite sized food that is just so much fun to eat.
These easy pizza rolls are great for school lunches, after school snacks, mid night snacking, or tailgate parties.
Protein from the yogurt & cheese and lots of veggies make these a pretty healthy snack option for any time. Cheese tastes great, and it helps people eat more of the right foods.
I love how easy these Pizza Pinwheels can be made to your taste. Feel free to put your favorite toppings in with the cheese mixture, then serve these on a plate with fun toothpicks.
Honestly, they will disappear in a hurry, and you will feel great knowing you helped everyone get another serving of dairy for the day.
Pizza Pinwheels
Cheese and yogurt pinwheels take on a pizza flavor when filled with your favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- â…› teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup diced black olives
- ¼ cup diced green pepper
- ¼ cup canned diced Italian style tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup pepperoni
- 3 tortilla shells
Instructions
- Combine the cream cheese, yogurt, oregano, and garlic powder. Stir until creamy.
- Stir in the shredded cheeses. Spread the cheese mixture evenly on the 3 tortilla shells.
- Evenly sprinkle the olives, green peppers, and tomatoes over the cheese mixture. Top each tortilla with a layer of pepperoni.
- Gently roll the tortillas up tightly, making sure everything stays inside.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Take off the plastic wrap and cut each tortilla into 8 pinwheels. Serve with toothpicks if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 63Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
I love these! I don't have kids yet, but I'd totally make these. The yogurt in them is such a great idea! A healthier spin on pizza - awesome!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lindsay!! 🙂 I've been trying to add more healthy to the food my kids eat. So far, they're lovin it!
lauren
mmm, these look yummy! new take on the tried and true pinwheel!
Lauren
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lauren!! 😉
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Wow, I never got food like that for school lunch. ever. My mother insisted that we have the school hot lunch and it was gross. You're a good mother. 🙂
Your children must be eager to open their lunch bags!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You must have had school lunches like I did! Yes, my kids rarely have food left in their boxes when they get home. They're pretty good eaters, so I'm thankful for that!
Carli
I'm a teacher, so I pack my meals every day. I make something almost exactly the same, except I use cream cheese in place of the yogurt and cheese. I add the extra veggies, then dip in pizza sauce. I just keep a bottle of squeeze pizza sauce in my mini fridge in my classroom. I eat lunch with a group of my students every Friday as a cooperative group incentive (1 group wins per week) and they are always excited to see what I have brought for lunch. For the first time ever, I had groups of students telling me their favorite foods were things like carrots, broccoli, and squash! I was blown away!
There is a wonderful documentary on Netflix right now called "A Place at the Table" which is all about the food insecurity (where am I going to get my next meal) in our country. It totally opened my eyes to being a great food role model for my students. As much as I like treats (actually, I'm a salt and carb craver), I encourage my students to bring cut fruit for their birthdays, or something just as healthy. It has definitely worked, and I work at a very low-income school.
Thank you for feeding your children nutritious lunches. It's parents like you that make my job easier. I just wish all kiddos had access to nutritious food.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Mmm, pizza sauce dip! Sounds like a great way to eat these!! That's awesome that veggies were being listed as favorites. Hopefully America's eating habits will get better! This coming from the person who has 8 million sugary treats on her blog 😉 I totally feel the same as you. It's crazy to think that not all kids in our country have the food they need. I've been seeing more about helping to feed the hungry on tv lately. Maybe things are going to start getting better for our country in that regard!
Kristin
Those look delicious! Such a great snack or lunch. I love the color in them - they would be a great party food!
Kristin
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Kristen!! 🙂 These would be a hit at any party! And they're super easy to throw together!
Karly
Love these! We don't pack lunches around here, but Imma make these anyway. 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks girl! Your taste buds will thank you 😉
Kelly || Old Blue Silo
These are a great idea! I don't have kids but I am always looking for fun things to send with my husband in his work lunches. Have to make the other guys jealous 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
These would totally make the other guys jealous!! Most guys love their pizza! 😉 Thanks Kelly!!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} life
Well, this blows sandwiches out of the water. Getting yogurt into pizza - now thats sneaky and creative:) I can't wait to try this, pizza is a favorite around here, too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha! Yes, it is quite sneaky, isn't it? 😉 Gotta squeeze that extra dairy in where I can!! Thanks Mary!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
What a perfect snack or lunch for that matter! They sound delicious and look so pretty too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Holly!! 🙂
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
A Pizza pinwheel- that is something I can get behind! Delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Katrina!! 😉
Tieghan
Such a great idea! Every kid, no every body loves pizza! Cant wait to try these out on everyone!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Tieghan!! 😉 So far, everyone I've made them for have loved them!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
What a great idea for lunch or snack! Totally going in my rotation, love these Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Dorothy!! 😉
Nicole
I wish I had these in my lunchbox as a kid ... or now!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know!! All the other kids would have been jealous of this lunch back in my school days! 🙂 Thanks Nicole!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
What a fun school lunch - we've definitely devour these here!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Ashley!! 😉 They definitely hit the spot!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
They may be great for back-to-school-lunch, but I'm thinking they will be awesome for "I'm-stuck-at-work-and-so-hungry-help-me" days as well lol! 😀 They are so pretty and look so perfect!
Jocelyn Brubaker
They sound like the perfect pick me up for those moments!! Thanks Jess!! 😉
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
You know we are pizza crazy around here! My kids would want to eat this everyday for lunch. Is it bad that I still pack my 9th graders lunch? What can I say! I even get up in the mornings and cook them lunch to put in their bags.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, no that's not bad! What an awesome mom you are!! Packing lunches is just something my kids have loved doing for themselves! 🙂
ashley - baker by nature
Anything with the word 'pizza' has my vote! These pinwheels look like an awesome snack!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Ashley!! 😉 That's exactly how my family and I felt!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Oooh I love these Jocelyn! Can you make me a snack please???
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks!! 😉 Anything for you!! Lol!
marcie@flavorthemoments
How fun are these? I wish my kids would eat stuff like this...they're boring sandwich eaters. I however, would love this. I love that there's Greek yogurt in there, and everything sounds so fresh and delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Marcie!! 🙂 It was a fun little healthy party whenever I bit into these!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff
Will you pack my lunch? No pepperoni please ... I love pinwheels 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Pizza pinwheels for Brenda coming right up!!! 😉