Leftover Turkey Roll Up Appetizer
Leftover turkey never tasted so good! These cheesy cranberry turkey roll up appetizers are the ultimate quick snack or party-perfect bite.
Get ready to impress your guests with these delicious turkey roll up appetizers. Packed with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and cheese, they’re the perfect alternative to the same-old-same-old!
Turkey seems to be reserved for holidays in most homes. Whether it is made for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or some other special occasion, after a big turkey dinner, there is usually quite a bit of meat left.
With the holidays approaching, many of us will find ourselves with this “problem”. So we put together plates of leftovers and make turkey soup or turkey sandwiches.
But if you’ve ever stared at a plate of leftover turkey and thought, “Ugh, not another sandwich,” these turkey roll ups are your ticket to a leftover refresh.
I’ve made these for everything from after-school snacks (because teenage boys are basically bottomless pits) to game-day appetizers that disappear before halftime. And honestly? The combination of melty shredded cheese, tender turkey, and flaky dough is pure magic.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This turkey roll up recipe is super easy to throw together with all those leftovers you already have on hand. They’re warm, cheesy, and have just enough sweet cranberry zing to make you feel like you’re still at the holiday table.
You can even swap the fillings to suit your taste. Try different cheeses and seasonings, add veggies, or just use whatever your kids are willing to eat.
These little turkey pinwheels are perfect for lunch boxes, potlucks, or holiday appetizer spreads. Plus, you can make them ahead of time, freeze them, and be ready with a quick snack whenever hunger strikes.
They also make a nice change from reheated leftovers. I especially love that little something special the cranberry sauce brings to the roll ups.
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You only need a few simple ingredients for this recipe and it is easy to create different flavors and flavor combinations, so make them your own! However you choose to enjoy these leftover turkey rolls, you will be glad you did.
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Supplies
Turkey Roll Up Appetizers
Ingredients
- Pillsbury pizza dough – Your shortcut to perfectly fluffy roll ups without breaking a sweat.
- Cranberry sauce – Sweet and tart, it pairs beautifully with savory turkey.
- Leftover turkey breast pieces – The star of the show, ready to shine beyond the holiday table.
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded – Provides that glorious, stretchy cheese pull we all love.
- Butter, melted – Brushed on top for the perfect golden finish.
- Bagel Seasoning – A fun sprinkle of flavor that makes these pinwheels pop.
Instructions
1. Begin by spreading the dough into a large 9″ x 12″ rectangle.
2. Spread the cranberry sauce over the dough.
3. Layer with turkey breast.
4. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
5. Now begin rolling the dough into a log.
6. Stretch the final edge over top of the roll and pinch the dough together.
7. Slice the roll into 1″ segments and place the sliced turkey roll ups on prepared baking sheets.
8. Brush with melted butter and top with seasoning.
9. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Alternate Ingredients
- Use homemade pizza dough, corn tortillas, or flour tortillas to make these turkey and cheese pinwheels.
- Low carb roll ups are easy to make with leaves of lettuce.
- Substitute roast beef, rotisserie chicken, deli chicken, or deli turkey slices for the leftover turkey.
- Try cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, American cheese, Boursin cheese, or low-fat cream cheese.
- Add herbs, onion powder, or black pepper to make a cream cheese mixture for extra flavor in your roll ups.
- **Alfredo sauce or Alabama white sauce could be used instead of cranberry!
- Add green onions, cucumber, avocado, or crispy bacon.
- Add green, yellow, orange, or red bell pepper.
- Use Ranch seasoning with a bit of garlic powder.
Tips and Tricks
- These turkey pinwheels can be made in advance and will last for up to 5 days. Be sure to store them in an airtight container.
- Assemble and freeze your roll ups before baking for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- When making tortilla turkey and cheese roll ups, wrap the whole roll tightly in plastic wrap and slice just before serving to keep edges fresh.
- I like to use a serrated knife to slice my roll ups and pinwheel recipes. It prevents squished pinwheels and keeps that beautiful spiral intact.
Whether you enjoy this delicious recipe as an easy appetizer, quick lunch, or awesome snack, these easy turkey cheese roll ups will not disappoint.
More Turkey Recipes
- Do you have more leftover turkey? Make these turkey and cranberry sliders – this easy recipe makes the most delicious turkey sliders that you’ve ever had!
- Looking for a low carb alternative to your standard stuffing? Try this delicious keto-friendly stove top stuffing recipe!
- My mom always makes the best side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner! Try her classic yams recipe this year.
- This is the best recipe for a whole roasted turkey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make turkey roll ups without pizza dough?
Yes! Use tortillas, puff pastry, or even lettuce leaves to wrap your fillings in.
How do I make turkey roll ups with cranberry cream cheese?
Blend cranberry sauce into the cream cheese and spread the mixture on your wrap before adding sliced turkey for tangy, creamy turkey and cream cheese roll ups.
Are turkey roll ups healthy?
They can be! Choose whole-grain wraps, use lean turkey, and add fresh veggies for healthy turkey roll ups that are high in protein.
Can I use other meats in this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken, roast beef, or even ham work great in pizza dough and tortilla roll ups.
How do I store leftover turkey pinwheels?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for long-term storage.
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Leftover Turkey Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 1 container Pillsbury pizza dough
- ¼ cranberry sauce
- 1 cup leftover turkey breast pieces
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp seasoning
Instructions
- Begin by spreading the dough into a large rectangle about 9" x 12" in size.
- Spread the cranberry sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cranberry sauce.
- Layer with turkey breast.
- Now begin rolling the dough into a log.
- Stretch the final edge over top of the roll and pinch the dough together.
- Slice the roll into 1" segments and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Brush with melted butter and top with seasoning.
- Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
Notes
- These turkey pinwheels can be made in advance and will last for up to 5 days. Be sure to store them in an airtight container.
- Assemble and freeze your roll ups before baking for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- When making tortilla turkey and cheese roll ups, wrap the whole roll tightly in plastic wrap and slice just before serving to keep edges fresh.
- I like to use a serrated knife to slice my roll ups and pinwheel recipes. It prevents squished pinwheels and keeps that beautiful spiral intact.
Nutrition
