Perfect for game day.

These Reuben Pinwheels turn everything you love about a classic Reuben sandwich into an easy, crispy appetizer. Puff pastry is layered with Swiss cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut, and caraway seeds, then rolled, sliced, and baked until golden.

Reuben pinwheels on an oblong wood cutting board with thousand island dressing in a white bowl.

Ingredients

Puff pastry makes the crisp, flaky base for these pinwheels. Swiss cheese, thinly sliced corned beef, and sauerkraut create the classic Reuben filling, while caraway seeds add that familiar rye bread flavor. An egg wash helps the pastry turn golden, and Thousand Island dressing is served alongside for dipping, a must have!

puff pastry – sold in the frozen section usually by frozen desserts and doughs
caraway seeds – gives that classic rye flavor since we don’t incorporate rye bread itself! if you’re not a fan of rye bread, leave it out
Swiss cheese – sliced
corned beef – from the deli, very thinly sliced
sauerkraut – I use the jar or fresh, just ensure to squeeze out all the excess moisture so the pastry doesn’t get soft
egg – mixed with a little water for the egg wash
thousand island dressing – for dipping, use your favorite!

How to Make Reuben Pinwheels

Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry and gently roll it into an even rectangle.

Layer the Filling: Press the caraway seeds into the pastry, then layer on the Swiss cheese, well drained sauerkraut, and corned beef.

Roll and Chill: Roll the pastry tightly into a log. If it has softened while assembling, chill until firm enough to slice cleanly.

Slice the Pinwheels: Cut the log into pinwheels and arrange them cut-side up on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the exposed pastry with egg wash.

Bake and Serve: Bake until deeply golden, puffed, and crisp. Cool slightly and serve warm with Thousand Island dressing.

How to make reuben pinwheels photo steps.

When to Serve Reuben Pinwheels

These work especially well for football season, holiday parties, New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, or any appetizer style gathering.

I’ve even made these as a light dinner.

You’ll also love these jalapeño poppers, they make a great appetizer or side dish!

How to Make Reuben Pinwheels Ahead of Time

You can assemble and roll the pinwheels a few hours ahead of time. Keep the unsliced log tightly wrapped in the refrigerator, then slice, brush with egg wash, and bake when you’re ready to serve.

Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a 350°F oven or air fryer until warmed through and crisp again.

A mound of pinwheels on a cutting board.

Watch Me Make Reuben Pinwheels

Equipment I Use to Make Reuben Pinwheels

Rolling Pin – love the marble for working with any type of dough
White Ramekins – love these for dips

Today’s elevation: Pressing caraway seeds directly into the puff pastry gives you the rye bread flavor of a classic Reuben.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to drain the sauerkraut?

Yes. Drain it very well and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. This helps keep the puff pastry crisp.

Can I skip the caraway seeds?

Absolutely, if you’re not a fan of rye bread, leave them out.

Why should I chill the puff pastry before slicing?

If the pastry becomes too warm, the log can be difficult to slice and the layers may get messy. It also can affect how much the pastry puffs. A short chill firms everything back up.