This easy cheeseburger pinwheels recipe turns seasoned ground beef, flour tortillas and classic burger toppings into crispy smash burger tortilla skewers. Sometimes called hamburger pinwheels, burger pinwheel kabobs or cheeseburger tortilla pinwheels, they’re cooked until the beef is browned, the tortillas are crisp and the cheese is perfectly melted. Serve them with burger sauce for a fun family dinner, party appetizer or game-day snack.
If you love creative burger recipes, try my Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos, Big Mac Sloppy Joes or Jalapeño Popper Smash Burger Skewers next.
More Burger Recipes You’ll Love
What Are Cheeseburger Pinwheels?
Cheeseburger pinwheels are made by pressing seasoned ground beef over flour tortillas, rolling them tightly and cutting the rolls into individual pieces. The pinwheels are threaded onto skewers and cooked until the outside is crispy and the hamburger is completely cooked. They combine the flavor of a cheeseburger with the crunchy rolled shape of tortilla pinwheels.
Why You’ll Love These Hamburger Pinwheels
- Crispy smash burger edges with melty cheese
- Easy viral-inspired recipe everyone loves
- Perfect appetizer or easy dinner idea
- Made with simple ingredients
- Great for parties, cookouts, and game day
- Fun handheld cheeseburger bites
- Can be cooked on a griddle, skillet, or flat top
Ingredients for Cheeseburger Tortilla Pinwheels
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Burger sauce, ketchup, or mustard
- Wooden skewers
Optional Toppings
- Pickles
- Diced onions
- Bacon crumbles
- Jalapeños
- American cheese slices
- Sesame seeds
- Shredded lettuce for serving
How to Make Smash Burger Tortilla Skewers
Step 1: Season the Beef
In a bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Mix just until combined.
Step 2: Smash the Beef onto the Tortillas
Lay the tortillas flat on a clean surface.
Spread a very thin layer of the seasoned ground beef evenly across each tortilla, pressing it almost to the edges like a smash burger.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Toppings
Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the beef layer.
Drizzle lightly with burger sauce if desired, and add diced onions or pickles.
Step 4: Roll and Slice
Tightly roll each tortilla into a log shape.
Using a sharp knife, slice into pinwheels about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.
Step 5: Add to Skewers
Carefully thread several raw burger pinwheels onto wooden skewers, keeping them snug together so they hold their shape while cooking.
Step 6: Cook Until Crispy and Cooked Through
Place the skewers onto a baking sheet, grill, griddle, or large skillet over medium heat.
Cook, turning occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked, the tortillas are crispy and golden brown, and the cheese is melted.
Oven Instructions
Bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until the beef is cooked through and the tortillas are crispy around the edges.
Grill Instructions
Cook over medium heat, rotating the skewers occasionally so all sides become golden and crispy.
Skillet or Griddle Instructions
Cook over medium heat, turning every few minutes until evenly browned and cooked through on all sides.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Pinwheels Recipe
Flip carefully to keep the pinwheels intact while cooking
Spread the beef layer very thin so it cooks evenly
Chill the rolled tortillas for 10 minutes before slicing if needed
Use sturdy skewers to help keep the pinwheels together
Don’t overcrowd the pan or baking sheet
Variations
Bacon Cheeseburger Pinwheels
Add crispy bacon before rolling.
Big Mac Style
Add shredded lettuce, pickles, and special sauce after slicing.
Spicy Jalapeño Burger Roll-Ups
Use pepper jack cheese and jalapeños.
Garlic Butter Cheeseburger Pinwheels
Brush the outside with garlic butter before serving.
Serving Ideas for Burger Pinwheel Kabobs
These pair perfectly with:
- French fries
- Onion rings
- Pasta salad
- Macaroni salad
- Coleslaw
- Potato wedges
- Dill pickle dip
- Loaded baked beans
Easy Cheeseburger Pinwheels
Crispy cheeseburger tortilla pinwheels made with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese and flour tortillas, then threaded onto skewers for an easy dinner or party appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: bbq, Dinner
- Method: Baking, Frying, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup burger sauce
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- Pickles, optional
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F if baking.
- In a bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Lay tortillas flat and spread a very thin layer of seasoned ground beef evenly across each tortilla.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the beef layer. Add diced onions, pickles, and a drizzle of burger sauce if desired.
- Tightly roll each tortilla into a log shape.
- Slice each roll into pinwheels about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.
- Carefully thread several raw pinwheels onto wooden skewers.
- Place skewers onto a baking sheet, grill, griddle, or skillet.
- Cook until the beef is fully cooked, the tortillas are crispy and golden brown, and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with extra burger sauce.
Notes
- Spread the beef very thin so it cooks evenly.
- Chill rolled tortillas for 10 minutes before slicing if needed.
- Flip carefully during cooking to keep the pinwheels intact.
- Great with cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese.
Cheeseburger Pinwheel Recipe FAQs
Can cheeseburger pinwheels be made ahead?
You can assemble the tortilla rolls several hours ahead and refrigerate them tightly covered. Slice, skewer and cook them shortly before serving for the crispiest results.
How do I keep hamburger pinwheels from falling apart?
Roll the tortillas tightly, place them seam-side down and refrigerate them briefly before slicing. Threading the pieces securely onto skewers also helps keep the pinwheels together as they cook.
How do I know when the ground beef is cooked?
Cook the pinwheels until the ground beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Check the thickest pinwheel with an instant-read thermometer.
What should I serve with burger pinwheel kabobs?
Serve them with burger sauce, ranch, ketchup, pickles, French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw or a simple salad.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet or oven until warmed through and crispy again.
Final Thoughts
This cheeseburger pinwheels recipe is an easy way to turn classic burger ingredients into a fun family dinner or party appetizer. They are crispy, cheesy, juicy, and packed with all the flavors of a classic smash burger in a fun handheld bite. Whether you serve them for game day, cookouts, appetizers, or a quick family dinner, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast.
