Looking for an easy party appetizer that won’t keep you stuck in the kitchen all day? We’ve all been there – trying to balance getting ready for guests while making sure the food is just right. Between coordinating schedules and managing everything else on your to-do list, appetizers need to be simple yet satisfying.
That’s where these Mexican tortilla roll ups with cream cheese come in handy. They’re super quick to put together, can be made ahead of time, and always seem to disappear first at any gathering. Plus, you can easily switch up the fillings based on what you’ve got in your fridge.
Why You’ll Love These Tortilla Roll Ups
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare these roll ups hours or even a day before serving, making them perfect for parties or busy schedules.
- Simple ingredients – With just 7 basic ingredients that you can find at any grocery store, these roll ups are easy to shop for and budget-friendly.
- Low-carb option – Using low-carb tortillas makes these a great choice for anyone watching their carb intake, while still delivering all the Mexican-inspired flavors you love.
- Perfect party food – These bite-sized pieces are ideal for gatherings – they’re easy to serve, can be eaten without utensils, and always disappear quickly at potlucks.
What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?
For these roll-ups, regular block-style cream cheese is your best bet, but make sure it’s properly softened to avoid any lumps when mixing. While the recipe calls for light cream cheese, you can absolutely use full-fat cream cheese if you prefer – it’ll give you a richer, creamier filling. Just remember to take your cream cheese out of the fridge about an hour before you plan to make the roll-ups, as room temperature cream cheese mixes much more smoothly with the other ingredients. If you’re in a hurry, you can cut the block into smaller cubes to help it soften faster.
Options for Substitutions
These roll ups are pretty easy to customize with what you have in your kitchen:
- Low-carb tortillas: Regular flour tortillas work perfectly fine here, or try whole wheat if you want to keep things on the healthier side. Spinach or tomato flavored wraps can add a nice pop of color too!
- Light cream cheese: Regular cream cheese works great, or try Neufchatel cheese for a lighter option. If you’re dairy-free, there are several plant-based cream cheese alternatives available now that would work well.
- Green chilies: If you can’t find canned green chilies, you can use fresh diced jalapeños (remove seeds for less heat) or even a few tablespoons of mild salsa – just make sure to drain it well.
- Cheddar cheese: Feel free to swap this with Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or pepper jack if you want to add some extra kick. For a dairy-free version, dairy-free shredded cheese alternatives will work.
- Green onions: Red onions (finely diced) or chives make good substitutes. Just use about half the amount if using regular onions since they’re stronger.
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 – cold cream cheese will create lumps and make spreading nearly impossible, so leave it out at room temperature for at least an hour before starting.
Another common mistake is overfilling the tortillas, which can lead to messy rolling and filling that squeezes out the sides – stick to a thin, even layer about 1/4 inch thick and leave a small border around the edges.
Rolling too loosely can cause your tortilla roll ups to unravel when slicing, so make sure to roll them tightly (but not so tight that the filling squeezes out), and always wrap them individually in plastic wrap before chilling.
For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate your rolls for at least 2 hours before slicing, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between each cut – a serrated knife works especially well for this task.
What to Serve With Tortilla Roll Ups?
These creamy, cheesy tortilla roll ups are perfect for parties and make a great appetizer, but they can easily become part of a larger meal too! Since they’re already pretty rich, I like to serve them with fresh, crunchy vegetables like carrot sticks, sliced bell peppers, and cucumber rounds – the cool, crisp veggies balance out the creamy filling perfectly. For a Mexican-inspired spread, try serving them alongside some fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, or a simple black bean and corn salad. If you’re serving these as a main dish for lunch, a light mixed green salad with cilantro-lime dressing makes the perfect side dish.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These Mexican tortilla roll ups are perfect for making ahead! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cream cheese filling helps keep everything fresh and tasty.
Make Ahead: You can prep these roll ups a day before your party or gathering – in fact, they often taste even better after the flavors have had time to mingle! Just remember to keep them wrapped well to prevent the tortillas from drying out.
Serve: When you’re ready to serve, take them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before eating to take the chill off. If you’ve made them whole, slice them into pinwheels just before serving for the prettiest presentation. This helps keep the filling from squishing out when you cut them.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 125-130 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 30-40 g
- Fat: 50-60 g
- Carbohydrates: 60-70 g
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 8 low-carb tortillas
- 8 ounces softened light cream cheese
- 1 small can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup diced green onions
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas
Heat a small amount of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Briefly fry each tortilla on both sides until they are flexible and their flavor is enhanced.
This step is optional if the tortillas you are using already have a great taste.
Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, drained chopped green chilies, grated Cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and crushed garlic.
Mix the ingredients together well, ensuring a smooth and even consistency for the filling.
Step 3: Assemble and Roll the Tortillas
Take each tortilla and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface.
Roll up each tortilla tightly to encase the filling snugly within.
Place the rolled tortillas seam-side down on a serving plate to keep them from unrolling.
Step 4: Chill the Tortilla Rolls
Cover the plate of rolled tortillas with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate them for at least 2 hours, or longer if possible.
This chilling period allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste when served.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
After chilling, remove the plastic wrap from the rolled tortillas.
Slice them into narrow pieces of desirable thickness and arrange them on a serving platter.
Serve these delightful bites as an appetizer or snack, and enjoy the refreshing and savory flavors!