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    You are here: Home / Appetizer / Spicy Tortilla Rollups

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups

    Published: December 8, 2014. Last Updated: October 20, 2020 by: Ginny McMeans

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    Jump to Recipe -
    Two photos one above the other with a pyramid of tortilla rollups and text in the center on red for pinning.
    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are in a close-up photo and are rolled up with layers of spicy pesto baby spinach and so much more. Rolled tight and pierced with a toothpick.

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are layers of flavor starting with a spicy pesto base and ending with fresh baby spinach. Roll up tight, slice, and pop in your mouth.

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are stacked as a pyramid surrounded with dark earthy background colors.

    We often have big holiday parties with a mix of family and friends. They all know each other from years past so it is always lots of fun!

    One of the things I have learned as a host is to prepare as much as I can in advance and make it simple.

    I'd really like to share a recipe I made using one of Tabasco's sauces. It's not the splash here and splashes there of a very hot seasoning but an actual sauce that is used in recipes as a flavoring.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Can you make-ahead rollups
    • 📋 Recipe

    Don't get me wrong. You can put it all over any taco to your heart's content but for this party, I would like to take advantage of its smoky pepper sauce flavor and treat the guests to something special.

    Overhed view of rollups showing all the layers from spinach to pesto.

    We'll all be in the party mood in no time. Also, my roll-ups are all gone so I need to go shopping again. That's okay though.

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups only take a few minutes to prepare.


    I would love to tell you a little story. Years ago, I was very lucky and I got to visit Tabasco's McIlhenny Co. on Avery Island in Louisiana.

    I will never forget it - meaning it was so cool.

    You drive onto the island passing huge oaks with Spanish moss dripping from the limbs. The 'factory' was a beautiful big old sprawling brick building.

    A tour guy took us inside and there were lots of vats and I remember two levels. We had to wear masks like those painters masks because of the pepper fumes. I loved it!

    Needless to say, he took us through this area very quickly, and then we got to the bottling area. All these little bottles lined up and being filled by ingenious machinery.

    Capped and labeled and ready to enjoy. I still have my little 2" bottle souvenir. Unopened, of course. Right in the front corner of my pantry.

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are stacked as a pyramid with a small plate with three more rollups waiting to be eaten.

    🥘 Ingredients

    • Whole wheat tortillas wrap everything up in nice little packages.
    • Sun-dried tomato pesto can be homemade and vegan and adds so much flavor.
    • Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce is milder than the red sauce. You may use any green tomatillo sauce that you like.
    • Roasted red bell peppers are mildly sweet and add a great flavor to your wrap.
    • Red onion gives a flavor contrast in a milder way than other onions.
    • Black olives have a cooling texture that adds a hint of the Mediterranean.
    • Baby spinach gives lots of bulk and nutrition.
    • Toothpicks help hold the pinwheels together.
    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are stacked as a pyramid surrounded with dark earthy background colors and different bottles of Tobasco flavors.

    🔪 Instructions

    • Add the pesto and Tabasco Jalapeno Sauce to a small bowl . Mix well and set aside.
    • This is a great organizational tip - lay all of your tortillas out on your clean counter.
    • This 'factory-style' makes everything go very quickly and you can see that you are dividing all of your ingredients evenly.
    • Spread the sun dried tomato pesto (link for homemade pesto) mixture all over each tortilla in a thin even layer. It is only about 2 teaspoons each tortilla.
    • Keep in mind - when you go to lay the layers that you just want a bite of this and that in each bite that you take.
    • Lay strips of the roasted red bell peppers all in one direction. Widely spaced all over each tortilla.
    • Sprinkle sliced black olives, about 5 olives, on each tortilla.
    • Lightly sprinkle the finely diced red onion over each tortilla.
    • Lay about 5 to 7 baby spinach leaves on each tortilla. These actually touch and sometimes overlay each other.
    • Don’t go all the way to the top edge with the spinach. Leave at least an inch so that when you roll up the tortilla the spinach stays inside the tortilla and does not stick out.
    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are stacked as a pyramid surrounded with dark earthy background colors and napkins on the side.

    Roll up the pinwheels

    • Roll up each tortilla as tight as you can going the direction where the red bell peppers are laying widthwise as you roll.
    • Lay on a cutting board.
    • Stick a toothpick in the exact center of the tortilla to keep it closed. Not too close to the edge so that the tortilla does not tear. Grab quit a bit of the tortilla with the toothpick. See my photos for a visual.
    • Now, you are looking down at the tortilla with a toothpick grasping the center. About every 1 ½" or so, to the left and right, stick another toothpick all the way through to help keep the tortilla closed. It's a good look too.
    • Next, with a very sharp knife slice through the tortilla in the center space between each toothpick. You will get 6 spicy tortilla rollups out of each tortilla. The ends are to go in a baggie and eaten as a snack – later. Or now 🙂
    Spicy Tortilla Rollups with a close-up of the rolls with veggie layers showing at the downward angle.

    💭 Can you make-ahead rollups

    Yes! Lay the cut roll-ups in a hard-sided container. Cover with its lid or with saran wrap.

    You want to keep the air out so they don't dry up. Refrigerate until the party.

    They will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

    Here's one more picture but of another delicious and very popular roll-up. Pesto Tortilla Rollups!

    Pesto Tortilla Rollups are stacked like a pyramid on a red square plate.

    📋 Recipe

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups with a close-up of the rolls with veggie layers showing at the downward angle.

    Spicy Tortilla Rollups

    Ginny McMeans
    Spicy Tortilla Rollups are layers of flavor starting with a spicy pesto base and ending with fresh baby spinach.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Save Saved
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Finger Food
    Servings 60 Rollups
    Calories 36 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 whole wheat tortillas
    • ¼ cup sun dried tomato pesto
    • 2 tablespoons Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce
    • 8 ounces roasted red bell peppers - you can buy them in a jar
    • ¼ cup onion - finely diced red onion
    • 15 ounces black olives - about 15 ounce can, large pitted black olives, sliced
    • 10 ounces baby spinach
    • toothpicks

    Instructions
     

    • To a small bowl add the pesto and Tabasco Jalapeno Sauce. Mix well and set aside.
    • Lay all of your tortillas out on the counter. This makes everything go very quickly and you can see that you are dividing all of your ingredients evenly.
    • Spread the sun dried tomato pesto mixture all over each tortilla in a thin even layer. It is only about 2 teaspoons each tortilla.
    • When you go to lay the layers keep in mind that you just want a bite of this and that in each bite that you take.
    • Lay strips of the roasted red bell peppers all in one direction. About 5 strips, widely spaced all over each tortilla.
    • Sprinkle about 5 black olives, sliced, on each tortilla.
    • Lightly sprinkle the finely diced red onion over each tortilla.
    • Lay about 5 to 7 baby spinach leaves on each tortilla. These actually touch and sometimes overlay each other. Don’t go all the way to the top edge with the spinach. Leave at least an inch so that when you roll up the tortilla the spinach stays inside the tortilla and does not stick out.
    • Roll up each tortilla as tight as you can going the direction where the red bell peppers are laying widthwise as you roll.
    • Lay on a cutting board.
    • Stick a toothpick in the exact center of the tortilla to keep it closed. Not too close to the edge so that the tortilla does not tear. Grab quit a bit of the tortilla with the toothpick. See my photos for a visual.
    • Now, you are looking down at the tortilla with a toothpick grasping the center. About every 1 ½" or so, to the left and right, stick another toothpick to help keep the tortilla closed.
    • Next, with a very sharp knife slice through the tortilla in the center space between each toothpick. You will get 6 appetizer rounds out of each tortilla. The ends are to go in a baggie and eaten as a snack – later.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 3RollupsCalories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 4gFat: 1gSodium: 234mgPotassium: 36mgVitamin A: 495IUVitamin C: 3.5mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Blue graphic snowflake as Vegan in the Freezers logo.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Becky M.

      March 19, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      I made these twice this weekend and they were delicious! the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto makes the roll ups! I added spinach leaves as a base on the tortilla before layering the ingredients, and I added a layer of thinly sliced mushrooms on top of the olives. I still topped the ingredients with spinach leaves, too, but had the mushrooms on hand and tried them with my second batch! This recipe is a keeper!

    2. Ginny McMeans

      March 19, 2018 at 1:35 pm

      That is just great Becky! I love them too (blush) but I also really like your addition of mushrooms to the second batch. It's a great way to use extra veggies. Thanks so much for letting us know!

    3. Adrienne

      October 30, 2021 at 9:50 am

      Be sure to check your pesto - I bought it without checking ingredients and there is cheese in it. Now I'm kind of scrambling with what to do for my vegan guest...

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    For years I dabbled in cooking vegan food, but since I became a mom it has become more important for me than ever. What I’m after is a great collection of healthy and not time-consuming vegan recipes that make the whole family look forward to meals together.

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