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Southwest Roll Ups – an easy appetizer perfect for parties. Full of black beans, spinach, peppers, onion, cilantro and a dairy free southwest flavored ranch dressing. They make a great lunch too!
These Southwest Roll Ups (sometimes called pinwheels) are kind of like my Smoky Mexican Bean Dip meets Black Bean Pasta Salad meets Veggie Tortilla Rollups.
They make the perfect little party appetizers. Especially for Cinco de Mayo coming up, but really they are perfect anytime of year. You could even make them into wraps for lunch or dinner instead of cutting them into bite size pieces.
You could easily swap out the veggies for whatever you have in the fridge (corn would be a great addition!), or even use a different kind of bean (pinto beans would be great!). Versatile and delicious – you’ve gotta make these!
Southwest Roll Ups Make Great Party Food!
We’ve been eating a version of these Southwest Roll Ups for many years. In fact, the very first day my son went to Kindergarten, he requested black bean rollups in his lunchbox. I didn’t even use my dairy free Ranch Dressing back then, just added a few tablespoons of salsa for flavor. But, the dressing adds a creamy factor that helps hold the tortilla rollups together. And it’s a delicious flavor complement as well.
The bite size pieces, while being toddler, little kid, and tiny hands friendly, make the perfect party finger food, too! Easy to grab while still holding a drink in the other hand. Easy to pop in your mouth and eat in one bite. And because they are dairy free, they can sit out without going rancid.
Don’t miss these other vegan party favorites:
- Spiced Rosemary Roasted Nuts
- Spicy Peanut Rice Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Homemade Vegan Queso
- Tortilla Rollups with Veggie Cream Cheese
- Smoky Mexican Bean Dip
- Pesto Pizza Bites
How Do you Roll Tortilla Wraps?
Tortilla rollups are super easy to make.
Lay out a tortilla on a flat surface. Spread the vegan ranch dressing all over the tortilla leaving a bit of space around the edge. Add the rest of the ingredients piled up along one side of the tortilla. Fold over the tortilla from the ingredients side so it covers the ingredients and then continue rolling tightly until your reach the end.
You can eat it big like that as a wrap, or slice it into bite size pieces as I did here.
Can You Make Pinwheels in Advance?
You can certainly make these in advance to save yourself time on party day. I like to rollup the tortillas with ingredients and then tightly wrap each one in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. This really helps the ingredients bind together and you shouldn’t have any problems with them falling apart when you slice them. On the day of the party, I take them out and slice them.
There is so much flavor packed into these little bites. They are sure to be a hit with vegetarians and omnivores alike. Full of fiber and plant protein, vitamins and minerals, you can have several (many, even!) without feeling guilty. So grab that margarita and enjoy!
Southwest Roll Ups
I hope you loved these Southwest Roll Ups as much as we do. If you try them, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and star rating.
You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it.
Enjoy!
Southwest Roll Ups - an easy appetizer perfect for parties. Full of black beans, spinach, peppers, onion, cilantro and a dairy free southwest flavored ranch dressing. They make a great lunch too!
- 15 oz can black beans
- 1/4 of a red onion (diced)
- 1 sweet bell pepper, any color
- 1/2 of a zucchini (diced)
- 1 jalapeño pepper (ribs & seeds removed) (diced)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- juice of 1/2 lime
- fresh spinach leaves
- cilantro leaves
- 6 large tortillas (use gluten free, if desired)
- 1 recipe Creamy Cumin Ranch Dressing
Make the Creamy Cumin Ranch Dressing and set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the black beans, red onion, sweet bell pepper, zucchini, jalapeño, salt, smoked paprika, cumin, and lime juice. Mix well.
Lay a tortilla flat on your work surface. Spread 1-2 tbsp of Creamy Cumin Ranch Dressing all over the tortilla. Add a few fresh spinach leaves, then 1/2 cup of the bean mixture, followed by a few cilantro leaves. Roll up the tortilla tightly. Cut into bite size pieces. Serve right away or place in the fridge until ready to serve.
~You can make the Creamy Cumin Ranch Dressing ahead of time and keep in the fridge for several days until needed.
~This will server about 12-15 people as an appetizer. You can also make these as a wrap for lunch or dinner. Simply cut the rolled tortilla in half instead of bite size pieces. Will serve 4-6.
Christine Gloeckner says
I just made a test batch before bringing these to a party next week. They are delicious, but everything keeps falling out!! Do you have any tips on how to keep it all together?
Jenn S. says
So glad you liked them Christine! A little bit of the filling sometimes falls out, but I’ve never really had a problem with everything falling out. Try rolling them as tight as you can without breaking the tortilla. Wrap each rolled tortilla in plastic wrap tightly and stick them all in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Then unroll and slice. That should keep everything nicely in place. You could also try mashing the black beans slightly – between smashed beans and the dressing the little bits of veggies should stick just fine. Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy!
Christine Gloeckner says
Those are both great ideas! I think it should work perfectly. I’ll be serving these at my running club meeting with both vegan and non-vegan friends but I’m sure they will be a big hit.
Karly says
I LOVE doing roll-ups for parties or an easy lunch for the kids, and I’m so glad to finally have something other than ham and cheese! These look stinking amazing!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Karly! They are definitely a nice change from the usual sandwich fillings. Let me know if you try them. Enjoy!
Alisa Fleming says
These look so flavorful Jenn. I really need to make easy make-ahead recipes like this for lunch. They would be a lifesaver!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Alisa! I agree. Pre-made or at least pre-prepped is key to eating well all day. I don’t do it as often as I should.
Ginny McMeans says
I could eat these every day!
Jenn S. says
I think that’s a good plan! 🙂 Thanks, Ginny!
Nicole Dawson says
My kids would be asking for these too! We just love all the Tex Mex flavors and this sounds perfect for those cravings
Jenn S. says
Our favorite flavors for sure! Thanks, Nicole!
Kristina - Love & Zest says
Ultimate Cinco de Mayo recipe destination! Those roll ups look a great addition to any Cinco de Mayo menu! And creamy cumin ranch dressing looks amazing! I can think of a few things I’d want to put this on!
Jenn S. says
Oh, yes, I really do put the dressing on everything! Thanks, Kristina!
Mary Ellen - VNutrition says
Ooh yum! What a great appetizer for Cinco de Mayo. 🙂 These would be a perfect lunch too!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mary Ellen!
Taylor Kiser says
These Southwest Roll Ups will be a big hit for Cinco de Mayo! Love all the flavors going on! Perfect party food all year long!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Taylor! I agree!
Sarah says
These look great, can’t remember the last time I had a roll up but use to have them at parties all the time. These would be perfect for one of our many soccer dinners or summer get togethers!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sarah! Time to bring back the rollup! 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I totally want to make these for the next potluck I go it! Follow Your Heart came out with the best gluten-free tortillas.
Jenn S. says
Oh really? I haven’t seen those – I’ll have to look for them. Thanks, Amy!
amanda -runtothefinish says
Funny story, when I went dairy free and was visiting my in-laws they were so excited to serve me dairy free food…like pinwheels filled with cream cheese, doh!! I can now show them one’s I can actually eat
Jenn S. says
Haha! This happens to me ALL THE TIME! Friends trying to be nice like “I made this especially for you. It’s healthy. I used Greek Yogurt.” Ummmmmmmm. 🙂
Kerri Olkjer says
Perfect appetizer for summer get-togethers! YUM.
Jenn S. says
For sure! Summer picnics here we come!
Dianne says
I have potlucks a lot, and these look like they’d they be a super fun dish to make for one!
Jenn S. says
Perfect for potlucks! Thanks, Dianne!
Becky Striepe says
These are so cute! They’d be great in lunch boxes.
Jenn S. says
Yes, perfect in lunch boxes! And so easy to customize for each child too. Thanks, Becky!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
What a great variety of veggies in these! They sound so flavorful! And the creamy cumin ranch dressing sounds awesome!
Jenn S. says
Oh, the dressing is what really makes them sing! It’s a fave for sure! Thanks, Sonali!
Donna says
Absolutely love these. Jenn brought these to a party at my house and these were the hit appetizer with everyone – vegetarians and omnivores alike.
Jenn S. says
Thank you! Always a big hit at parties. Maybe I’ll make them for Mother’s Day too! 🙂
Jessica - Nutritioulicious says
These sound so delicious! I bet my girls would gobble them up for lunch! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Jessica! Perfect for those little hands!