Get the kids to help make these tasty bacon and pesto pinwheels. They are perfect for brunches, lunches (for kids and adults!) and after school snacks.

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Bacon Pesto Pinwheels Recipe
Yields18 Servings
Prep Time15 minsCook Time20 minsTotal Time35 mins
For the walnut pesto*:
 ½ cup walnuts
 2 cups basil leaves
 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 ¼ cup grated parmesan
 ½ lemon, juiced
 1 clove garlic,
 Salt and pepper
For pinwheels:
 12 pieces of streaky bacon
 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
 2 tbsp milk, for brushing
1

For the walnut pesto: add walnuts to a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toast the walnuts for 3-5 minutes, until golden. Let cool. Add all pesto ingredients to a blender and blitz until chunky. Add olive oil as needed and season to taste with salt and pepper.

2

For pinwheels: spread pesto in a layer over puff pastry sheets. Lay bacon rashers on top and sprinkle with grated cheese. Roll up tightly, wrap with cling film (or pastry wrapper) and pop in the freezer for 20 minutes.

3

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

4

Using a sharp knife cut the rolls into 1.5cm widths then lay spaced on the prepared baking trays. Brush with milk. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and cooked.

5

Tip 1: you can double the pesto recipe and freeze the extra pesto in ice-cube molds for quick snacks and easy midweek pasta meals.

6

Tip 2: if you’re low on time you can use store-bought pesto.

Ingredients

For the walnut pesto*:
 ½ cup walnuts
 2 cups basil leaves
 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 ¼ cup grated parmesan
 ½ lemon, juiced
 1 clove garlic,
 Salt and pepper
For pinwheels:
 12 pieces of streaky bacon
 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
 2 tbsp milk, for brushing

Directions

1

For the walnut pesto: add walnuts to a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toast the walnuts for 3-5 minutes, until golden. Let cool. Add all pesto ingredients to a blender and blitz until chunky. Add olive oil as needed and season to taste with salt and pepper.

2

For pinwheels: spread pesto in a layer over puff pastry sheets. Lay bacon rashers on top and sprinkle with grated cheese. Roll up tightly, wrap with cling film (or pastry wrapper) and pop in the freezer for 20 minutes.

3

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

4

Using a sharp knife cut the rolls into 1.5cm widths then lay spaced on the prepared baking trays. Brush with milk. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and cooked.

5

Tip 1: you can double the pesto recipe and freeze the extra pesto in ice-cube molds for quick snacks and easy midweek pasta meals.

6

Tip 2: if you’re low on time you can use store-bought pesto.

Bacon and pesto pinwheels (school/work lunches)