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Keto Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels

Creamy spinach artichoke dip rolled tight in savory fathead dough and baked until golden — these keto pinwheels land at 4.7g net carbs and 20.7g protein. I bring them to every party, and they're always the first plate cleared.
  • 4.7gnet carbs
  • 20.7gprotein
  • 55minutes
  • 9servings

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I love spinach artichoke dip so much that I wrapped it in fathead dough and called it a recipe. These are dip-heavy by design: 8 ounces of cream cheese, a full jar of marinated artichoke hearts, sharp white cheddar, and parmesan, all packed inside a chewy, golden crust. The filling-to-dough ratio is intentionally lopsided because the dip is the whole point.

Close up of a cheesy, spinach pinwheel roll on a wooden board.

The whole process takes about 45 minutes. Mix the fathead dough in a food processor, roll it out between parchment paper, spread the filling edge to edge, roll it up, and slice. Thirty-five minutes at 375 degrees and you have warm, pull-apart bites that look way more impressive than the effort involved. I usually get about 9 from one batch.

One thing I changed after testing this multiple times: I now use 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes instead of 1/4. A quarter teaspoon vanishes into all that cream cheese and you taste nothing. Bump it up, or add a pinch of cayenne on top before rolling. I also chose marinated artichoke hearts over water-packed on purpose. The brine carries into the filling and adds a layer of flavor you won't get from plain artichokes in water.

These work as a keto appetizer for game day, brunch, or just a Friday night. I've served them alongside buffalo chicken dip, nachos, and mozzarella sticks for a full spread, and they're always the first thing gone. If you like making pastry dough from scratch, these sit right next to my puff pastry trees as a go-to.

The dough here is savory (onion powder, no sweetener) so it works with the rich filling instead of fighting it. I've tried this with low-carb tortillas and protein dough too, and both are fine, but the fathead version has the best chew and holds up under heavy filling. About 4g net carbs per pinwheel, so two or three won't throw off your day.

Keto dough alternatives

Not a fathead dough fan? Two alternatives I’ve tried:

  • Low-carb tortillas: A large tortilla works in place of homemade dough. You’ll need two or three to use all the filling. I keep a stack in my fridge for exactly this.
  • Protein dough: A protein powder-based dough gives a lighter, puffier result. It uses protein powder for structure instead of cheese, so the texture is completely different.

If you like working with savory dough, my focaccia uses a similar fathead base with herbs.

Easy add-ins and variations

I like these plain, but here are add-ins that work well with the creamy filling:

  • Cooked, crumbled bacon
  • Breakfast sausage
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Pimentos
  • Fresh garlic (minced, not powdered)
  • Diced jalapenos

If you go the bacon-jalapeno route, you’re basically making a jalapeno popper dip inside a pastry shell. I’ve done it. It works.

Cheese swaps that work

I’ve tested most of these in place of the white cheddar:

  • Monterey jack (melts well, milder flavor)
  • Pepper jack (adds heat without extra spice)
  • Romano
  • Mozzarella
  • Mild cheddar
  • Goat cheese (tangier, I like it with the artichokes)
  • Feta (crumble it into the filling instead of shredding)
Rows of spinach and cheesy pinwheel buns baked to golden brown and melted cheese on top on a baking pan.

Storage and make-ahead tips

Make ahead

I’ve made both the dough and the filling up to 3 days ahead, stored separately in the fridge. You can also assemble the pinwheels and refrigerate unbaked overnight. I wouldn’t go longer than one night though, because moisture from the filling starts to soften the dough.

Refrigerator

These are best warm, straight from the oven. I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days and reheat in the air fryer at 350 for a few minutes. Microwave works too but you lose some of the crisp.

Freezer

I freeze the dough and filling separately all the time. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and bag it. The filling goes in a freezer-safe container. Both keep for up to 3 months.

You can freeze assembled, unbaked pinwheels for up to 1 month. Wrap tightly in plastic, then foil. Fair warning: if your spinach or artichokes weren’t squeezed dry enough, you might end up with soggy rolls after thawing.

How to make spinach artichoke pinwheels

  1. Make fathead dough: Pulse almond flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, onion powder, and salt in a food processor. Add melted mozzarella and egg, then run until a dough ball forms.
  2. Roll out the dough: Place between two sheets of parchment paper and roll into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. A damp paper towel under the bottom sheet keeps it from sliding.
  3. Mix the filling: Beat softened cream cheese with mayo, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Fold in squeezed spinach, chopped artichoke hearts, white cheddar, and parmesan. The key is pressing every drop of moisture out of the spinach and artichokes before they go in.
  4. Spread, roll, and slice: Spread the filling edge to edge, roll from the short side into a tight log, then pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes before cutting. I started doing this after my first batch squished on every cut. Cold log, clean slices.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes until golden brown all over.
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The recipe

Keto Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels

Print Pin
Prep 20 min Cook 35 min Total 55 min Serves 9

Ingredients

Servings 9

Spinach Artichoke Spread Ingredients

Keto Pastry Dough Ingredients

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a square baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

    A read 375 number on a black background.
  2. Prepare spinach and artichokes

    Place thawed spinach in a strainer or colander. Using a paper towel, press the excess liquid through the strainer until the majority of the liquid is removed from the spinach. Drain marinated artichoke hearts. Cut into small pieces, then press excess moisture out of the chopped artichokes using a paper towel.

    For this step

    • 1 (10 oz) carton frozen spinach
    • 1 (12 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts
    A hand presses a paper towel into cooked spinach in a colander to remove moisture.
  3. Spinach artichoke dip

    In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper using an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in spinach, artichokes, shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese until combined. Set aside.

    For this step

    • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
    • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 6 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
    • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    A clear bowl with creamy spinach artichoke mixture inside.
  4. Melt mozzarella cheese

    To a small, microwave safe bowl, add shredded cheese. Microwave at 60 second intervals, stirring in between, until cheese is completely melted.

    For this step

    • 10 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
    A hold pulling melted mozzarella cheese out of a bowl using a spatula.
  5. Savory keto pastry dough

    To a food processor, add almond flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, onion powder and salt. Pulse until combined. Add melted mozzarella cheese and egg. Start the food processor and run until a dough ball forms and the cheese and ingredients are fully combined.

    For this step

    • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    A food processor with fathead dough inside.
  6. Roll out dough

    Place keto dough in between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll into a rectangle shape about 8-9 inches x 11-12 inches and to 1/4 inch thickness. Remove the top layer of parchment paper.

    Rolled out keto pastry dough in a rectangle shape on a sheet of parchment paper.
  7. Spread it

    Spread artichoke spinach mixture over top of dough covering the entire surface.

    Spinach artichoke spread on top of pastry dough sitting on a sheet of parchment paper.
  8. Roll and slice

    Starting with one short side, roll into a large 11-12 inch long log. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into about 9 slices about 3/4-1 inch slices.

    A hand slicing through a log of rolled spinach and pastry dough, cutting them into slices.
  9. Bake

    Arrange side by side in prepared baking dish. Generously brush the tops of the buns with melted butter. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown all over and the center rolls appear to be cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

    For this step

    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    A hand brushing melted butter on top of spinach artichoke buns unbaked on a baking sheet.

Nutrition

Per serving: 1 bun

Calories
543
Fat
47.5g
Protein
20.7g
Total carbs
8.8g
Net carbs
4.7g

Nutrition is an estimate calculated from the ingredients listed. Brands vary, so check labels if you track closely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my keto pinwheels soggy?

Every time I've had soggy pinwheels, it came down to the spinach. Frozen spinach holds a surprising amount of water. I thaw it, put it in a strainer, then press it with paper towels until nothing comes out. Same with the artichoke hearts after draining. If you skip this, all that liquid seeps into the dough during baking and you end up with a soft bottom. I press mine twice to be safe.

How do I slice pinwheels without the filling squishing out?

I freeze the rolled log for 20 minutes before cutting. This was a discovery for me. My first batch, I sliced right away and the filling pushed out both ends. After 20 minutes in the freezer, the log firms up enough that a sharp knife cuts clean rounds. Wipe the blade between each cut and you'll get neat slices every time.

Can I use sour cream or Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise?

I've tried sour cream and it works. The filling is slightly tangier but still rich. Greek yogurt makes it a bit thinner, so if you go that route, I'd use full-fat and maybe add a tablespoon less than the mayo amount. My preference is still mayo because it gives the thickest, most spreadable texture.

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

I prefer frozen because it's already cooked down and easy to squeeze dry. If you use fresh, blanch it in boiling water for about 2 minutes until wilted, then drain and squeeze out all the liquid. You'll need roughly a pound of fresh spinach to equal one 10-ounce carton of frozen.

Can I use water-packed artichoke hearts instead of marinated?

You can, but I use marinated on purpose. The brine from marinated artichokes carries flavor into the filling that water-packed just doesn't have. If water-packed is all you can find, I'd add a splash of olive oil and a pinch of Italian seasoning to compensate.

How many net carbs are in each pinwheel?

I get about 9 low-carb pinwheels per batch, and each one comes out to roughly 4g net carbs. That's using almond flour fathead dough and full-fat everything in the filling. If you swap to tortillas instead of the fathead dough, check your brand's label since net carbs vary a lot between products.

Can I freeze these after baking?

I freeze baked pinwheels in a single layer on a sheet pan first, then transfer to a freezer bag once they're solid. They keep for about a month. Reheat straight from frozen in a 350-degree oven for 10-12 minutes. The texture holds up better than you'd expect, though the dough won't be quite as crispy as fresh.

Can I use the leftover filling as a dip?

Transfer whatever's left to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes until bubbly. It's the same creamy base, just without the dough. I've served it with tortilla chips and it disappears fast.

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Reviews

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4.8 from 19 ratings, 8 written

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Replying to Priya

Your rating

Chris R.

Do these hold up if you bake them a day ahead? I made a pan for lunches and reheated a couple in the toaster oven, and the dough crisped back up better than I expected. Squeezing the spinach dry really matters here.

Reply

Taylor

Can I use plain canned artichoke hearts or do they need to be the marinated kind?

Reply

Mark L.

On batch five. Food processor dough takes two minutes flat.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Batch five says it all. I do the food processor for fathead dough now too. Two minutes and it’s still warm enough to roll without fighting it.

Reply

Tanya

Thought my nephew would bail when I mentioned almond flour. Solid.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Nephew test is hard to pass. Almond flour kind of disappears in the fathead dough once it bakes, which probably helps.

Reply

Mia D.

Making these for a graduation party next weekend and want to roll them the night before. I’ve had fathead dough go soggy with wet fillings before, even squeezed spinach has some moisture left. Is ahead-of-time actually fine here or should I just do morning-of?

Reply

Annie Lampella

Okay this actually works great. Night before works if the spinach is genuinely bone dry. I thaw, strain, then press with paper towels until nothing comes out, I mean you have to really press hard. The cream cheese and mayo base doesn’t weep, so that part isn’t the worry. Roll it, wrap tight in plastic, fridge overnight. 20 minutes in the freezer before you slice.

Reply

Camila

My daughter kept stealing the ones from the edge of the pan where the cheddar got a little crispy, which told me more about how to roll them tighter next time than anything.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Those edge pieces always go first here too. Tight roll, cut-side down on the pan, they all get that crunch.

Reply

Dina

Does the chop size matter, or will chunky pieces still roll up okay?

Reply

Annie Lampella

Chop size matters. Big chunks make it hard to roll tight and can tear the dough. I go fairly fine on the artichokes so they blend into the filling evenly.

Reply

Amanda

Went into this skeptical (fathead dough for pinwheels felt like it was asking to crack), but it rolled out clean and held the filling without splitting. The sharp white cheddar in the dip gives it this bite I wasn’t expecting. Four stars for now, trying with extra red pepper flakes before I commit to five.

Reply

Annie Lampella

1/2 teaspoon is where I land. The cream cheese base is rich enough that it takes the heat without it getting sharp.

Reply

Melissa

Bringing these to a dinner party Friday and trying to figure out the best stopping point. Bake fully Thursday night and reheat, or assemble the log, wrap it, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning? I’ve made fathead dough before — it can get dense or gummy if it sits unbaked too long, and I wasn’t sure if that applies here. Also wondering if the spinach will release too much liquid into the dough overnight. Which would you do?

Reply

Annie Lampella

Bake Thursday, reheat Friday. Fathead dough gets gummy when it sits unbaked in the fridge, I’ve had that happen, and even with perfectly squeezed spinach there’s always some moisture that works its way out overnight into the dough. 350 for about 10 minutes from room temp and they come back really close to fresh.

Reply

Dani

Used fresh spinach instead of frozen (wilted it in a dry pan, squeezed it out twice because I was paranoid about moisture getting into the dough) and the green is so much deeper, it actually looks like something. Then swapped the sharp white cheddar for Gruyere because I had a block open, and that nutty edge against the artichoke did something I did not see coming. Third batch in two weeks, already mapping out a version with sun-dried tomatoes and provolone.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Gruyere with artichoke, I didn’t see that coming either and now I’m annoyed I haven’t tried it. Sun-dried tomato and provolone in that filling is going to be a completely different direction, I want to know how it lands.

Reply

Jordan

The filling-to-dough ratio is exactly right, but I’d double the red pepper flakes next time (they disappear into all that cream cheese).

Reply

Annie Lampella

Yeah, 1/4 teaspoon basically vanishes in that much cream cheese. I’d go 1/2 next time, or add a pinch of cayenne on top before rolling.

Reply

Priya

I missed spinach artichoke pinwheels so much when I went keto. This fathead dough version fixed that.

Reply

Annie Lampella

Spinach artichoke was the one I refused to give up too. These disappear faster than anything else I bring to parties.

Reply

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