Best Southwestern Cheese Appetizer Recipes

CHEESY SOUTHWEST APPETIZERS

Cheesy Southwest Appetizers image

Provided by Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

6 slices cheddar cheese
3 slices monterey jack cheese
32 Keebler® Town House® Original Crackers
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup chopped black olives

Steps:

Cut cheddar and monterey jack cheeses into small triangles. Top each cracker with some cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper and olives. Place on baking sheet.
Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat for 1 to 3 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.

FIESTA PINWHEELS

Fiesta Pinwheels image

Whenever I serve this make-ahead, easy pinwheel recipe, they disappear fast. When a friend at the office shared them with me, I knew in one bite I'd be taking her Mexican pinwheels home for the holidays. -Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Appetizers

Time 15m

Yield about 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup picante sauce
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Dash garlic powder
1 can (4-1/2 ounces) chopped ripe olives, drained
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
8 flour tortillas (10 inches)
Salsa

Steps:

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, picante sauce, taco seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in olives, chiles, cheese and onions. Spread about 1/2 cup on each tortilla. , Roll up jelly-roll style; wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. Slice into 1-in. pieces. Serve with salsa.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 59 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 154mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

SOUTHWESTERN PINWHEELS

Southwestern Pinwheels image

These appetizers really look and taste great! And they're really simple to make as well. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled depending on how big a crowd your are making it for. Try using both green and red tortillas for a nice colorful platter. Cook time is for the filling's chill time.

Provided by Kozmic Blues

Categories Cheese

Time 1h10m

Yield 20 pinwheels

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
2 tablespoons finely sliced scallions
2 tablespoons chunky salsa (home made or your favorite in a jar)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 flavored 10-inch flour tortillas (tomato/basil, jalapeno/cilantro, or spinach are some kinds I can find in stores here)
lavash bread, works well also
1 (10 ounce) package baby spinach leaves

Steps:

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, scallion, salsa, cilantro and cumin and mix well.
Spread mixture evenly over the two flour tortillas- be sure to reach to the ends.
Place a single layer of the baby spinach leaves evenly over the crem cheese mixture.
Roll the tortillas tightly.
This step is important and will give the"pinwheel" look to your appetizers.
Wrap each roll in plastic wrap, and chill for at least an hour, or up to 8 hours.
After rolls are chilled, unwrap and cut each one in half.
Begin from the smooth half, and cut roll into 1 inch circles.
You should get 4 to 5 circles from each tortilla half depending on how well you tortilla"ends" hold together.
Arrange your pinwheels cut side up on your serving platter.
Cover and chill for up to one hour before serving.