Crescent Roll Pesto Appetizers

Healthy Crescent Roll Pesto Appetizers are easy to make and also make a statement in looks and taste. Pre-made crescent rolls are spread with two pesto varieties to make crowd-pleasing finger food.

This Crescent Roll Appetizer starts with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. They are vegan but make sure you buy the low-fat ones because then they will not have any trans fats.

Of course, you can use any vegan crescent rolls that you prefer.  This is just one that is readily available.

So two cans of crescent rolls make sixteen and four cans of crescent rolls makes thirty-two. The amount of pesto will cover the 32 twists. So it all depends on you, your guests, and if you want leftovers.

You may want leftovers. I sure do.

One of my readers sent me a picture of Pillsbury crescent dough sheets. I have never seen these but Julie says she usually sees them around the holidays. If you happen to see them than they would absolutely work.

You wouldn’t have to do any sealing of the perforations. A step faster.

Here are some visual steps for making Crescent Roll Pesto Appetizers

The photo above shows the four rows of pesto and the thickness that you’ll be aiming for. Not less and you could do just a little more but not to much.

This photo above is about 3-4 ounces of each variety of pesto total.

I tried making this without a top layer the first time. It was just too messy. The top layer really helps hold it together and you can still see some of the pesto colors after it bakes.

Above shows the little rectangles that you’ll be twisting. See what I mean about how neat it is using the dough scraper?

You just push straight down and move the cutter against the surface back and forth about a quarter of an inch and it’s done.

Now you can see what they little appetizers look like on the baking sheet. Remember this is only half of the recipe. You’ll do another sheet like this while these are baking.

When you twist the strips just lightly twist a couple of times in the opposite direction. Try not to stretch the strips in length. Just twist.

What I mean by ‘twist a couple of times in the opposite direction’ is this. Take hold of one end with your hand and the other end with your other hand. Now twist one hand forward while twisting the other hand in the opposite direction. There! It’s twisted.

Are you or your friends’ dunkers? You really don’t need to dunk but I find myself liking condiments. Half of the appetizers were eaten as is and the rest were dunked in a variety of dips.

What Dips Can These Pesto Appetizers be Dunked Into?

You can use more of either one of the already on-hand pesto sauces. So, Vegan Basil Pesto (365 has a basil vegan one too) and/or Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto. You could also lay a little knife next to the twists in case anyone wants to spread the pesto on top.

I mostly used this delicious Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing. If you don’t have time (only 10 minutes) or ingredients to make it yourself then Follow Your Heart has a good one. Not great but good 🙂

You can use Just Mayo’s vegan Chipotle Mayo and it’s delicious but it masks the flavor of the pesto a bit too much for me.

Do you have a favorite salad dressing? There’s a really good chance that it will be perfect for these Healthy Crescent Roll Pesto Appetizers.

You can actually freeze these. Just like you would any muffin or other pastry. I can’t believe you’ll have any leftover though.

They will keep in the refrigerator about 5 days and in the freezer 4 months for best quality.