If there’s one appetizer that always disappears first at parties, it’s these jalapeño cream cheese tortilla roll ups. I started making them years ago when I needed a quick snack for game day, and now my friends won’t let me show up without them. The best part? They’re so easy to make ahead – I usually prep them the night before while I’m already in the kitchen making dinner.
These roll ups have become my go-to for potlucks and family gatherings because they take just minutes to put together, and the ingredients are always in my grocery store. Plus, you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less jalapeños. My kids prefer them mild, but my husband always asks for extra spice.
I’ve tried different variations over the years, but this simple recipe remains everyone’s favorite. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and just a little bit spicy – exactly what you want in a party snack.
Why You’ll Love These Tortilla Roll Ups
- Make-ahead friendly – These roll ups can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance, making them perfect for party planning or when you want to get ahead on appetizers.
- No cooking required – Besides cooking the bacon, there’s zero actual cooking involved – just mix, spread, roll, and chill. It’s that simple!
- Customizable heat level – You can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or less jalapeños and cayenne pepper, making them perfect for both heat lovers and those who prefer milder flavors.
- Party-perfect portions – Each tortilla can be sliced into multiple bite-sized pieces, perfect for serving at gatherings, game days, or as an easy appetizer.
- Simple ingredients – Most of these ingredients are everyday items you might already have in your kitchen, and they’re easy to find at any grocery store.
What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?
Regular block-style cream cheese is your best bet for these roll ups – just make sure it’s fully softened to room temperature so it mixes smoothly. While you might be tempted to use low-fat cream cheese to cut calories, I’d recommend sticking with full-fat for this recipe since it creates a better texture and helps the filling hold together. Store brands work just as well as name brands here, so feel free to use whichever you prefer. Just avoid using whipped cream cheese from a tub, as it’s too soft and can make your filling runny, making it harder to roll up the tortillas neatly.
Options for Substitutions
This roll-up recipe is pretty adaptable and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:
- Cream cheese: Regular cream cheese works best here, but you could use Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter version. Just avoid whipped cream cheese as it’s too soft for rolling.
- Jalapeños: Not a fan of jalapeños or can’t find any? Try using 4-ounce can of diced green chiles (drained), or swap in poblano peppers for a milder kick. For extra heat, try serrano peppers instead.
- Pepper jack cheese: Any firm, shreddable cheese works here – try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a Mexican cheese blend. Just make sure to shred it yourself for the best melting.
- Bacon: You can use turkey bacon, or for a vegetarian option, try crushed nuts or sunflower seeds for that needed crunch. Even crispy fried onions would work well.
- Flour tortillas: While flour tortillas are best for rolling, you can try spinach or sun-dried tomato flavored wraps for a different taste. Just avoid corn tortillas as they’ll crack when rolled.
- Chili spice mix: Out of chili spice? Mix equal parts of paprika, cumin, and garlic powder as a quick substitute.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making tortilla roll ups is working with cream cheese that’s not properly softened, which can lead to lumpy filling and tears in your tortillas – leave it out for at least an hour at room temperature or microwave in 10-second bursts until perfectly smooth.
Another common mistake is overfilling the tortillas; spread a thin, even layer leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges, as too much filling will squeeze out when rolling and make your rolls messy.
The success of these roll ups also depends on tight rolling and proper chilling – wrap them firmly (but not so tight that the filling squishes out), then let them chill for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the cream cheese to firm up and hold its shape when sliced.
For clean, picture-perfect slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut, and if you notice the rolls getting too soft while working, pop them back in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up again.
What to Serve With Jalapeño Cream Cheese Roll Ups?
These spicy, creamy roll ups are perfect party food and pair really well with fresh, cooling sides that balance out their richness. A bowl of crisp veggie sticks like carrots, celery, and cucumber offers a nice crunch and helps cool down the heat from the jalapeños. Since these roll ups are on the heavier side, I like to serve them with a light corn and black bean salad dressed with lime juice – it adds a nice Mexican-inspired touch to the spread. For drinks, keep some cold Mexican beer or fruity sangria nearby, or set out a pitcher of lemonade if you’re going alcohol-free.
Storage Instructions
Prep Ahead: These roll ups are perfect for making ahead! You can prepare them up to 24 hours in advance – just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge. This actually helps the flavors blend together even better, making them extra tasty when you’re ready to serve.
Keep Fresh: After slicing your roll ups, place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place a paper towel in the container to absorb any excess moisture and keep them from getting soggy. Just remember that the bacon might lose some of its crunch over time.
Serve: For the best texture and flavor, take your roll ups out of the fridge about 10-15 minutes before serving. This lets the cream cheese soften slightly, making them easier to bite into and more enjoyable to eat. They’re perfect for parties since they can sit out for up to 2 hours!
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 180-2880 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1400
- Protein: 50-60 g
- Fat: 80-90 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
- 2 flour tortillas, 10 inch
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese (Tillamook brand for best flavor)
- 12 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature for easy mixing)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 jalapenos (seeded and finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp chili spice mix
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred heat level)
Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, jalapenos, cheese, bacon, chili seasoning, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Mix everything together until well blended and the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese.
Step 2: Assemble the Tortilla Roll-Ups
Lay the tortillas out on a clean work surface.
Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture onto each tortilla and spread it evenly to the edges.
Ensure you have a smooth, uniform layer for the best flavor and presentation.
Step 3: Roll and Chill
Tightly roll each tortilla up jellyroll style, starting from one side and rolling to the other end.
Once rolled, wrap each roll in plastic wrap.
Place them in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours; they can chill for up to 48 hours.
This allows the flavors to meld and makes slicing easier.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, unwrap the rolls and cut off the uneven ends to ensure a neat presentation.
Then, slice each roll into ½-inch to ¾-inch slices for perfect, bite-sized pinwheels.
Step 5: Enjoy with Dipping Sauce
Arrange the slices on a serving platter and accompany them with your choice of dipping sauce.
Options include Ranch dip, Tomato salsa, Queso dip, or enjoy them on their own for a flavorful snack.
