Herbed Mozzarella Crescent Pinwheels

Savor the taste of Italy with these easy Herbed Mozzarella Crescent Pinwheels—flaky, buttery bites filled with garlic, herbs, and gooey mozzarella. Inspired by Aunt Rosa from Janice Thompson’s Weddings by Bella series, they bake up golden in just 15 minutes!

Simple Cheesy Pinwheels? Yes, Please!

If you’ve ever visited Aunt Rosa’s kitchen in my Weddings by Bella series, you know she believes every good story begins with a bit of butter and a whole lot of love. These Herbed Mozzarella Crescent Pinwheels fit that philosophy perfectly—simple, aromatic, and absolutely irresistible.

Each flaky crescent roll is brushed with melted butter, sprinkled with Italian herbs and garlic, then rolled up with mozzarella cheese before being sliced into bite-sized pinwheels. They bake to golden perfection in just 15 minutes, filling your kitchen with that heavenly aroma that would make even Aunt Rosa say, “Mangia, mangia!”

Aunt Rosa Approved!

Whether served as an appetizer, alongside a pasta dish, or as a cozy afternoon snack, these pinwheels are proof that sometimes the most comforting recipes come from the simplest ingredients—and a touch of Italian inspiration.

At a Glance

Skill Level: Easy — perfect for beginner bakers or quick snack makers.
Flavor Profile: Buttery, cheesy, and infused with savory garlic and herbs.
Options Included: Try adding shredded Parmesan or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick!
Best For: Appetizers, Italian-themed dinners, parties, or cozy nights when you’re craving something warm and comforting.

Crescent Roll Pinwheel Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a look at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand in your kitchen pantry or fridge.

• 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or your favorite blend of herbs)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or parmesan, your choice)

How to Make Herbed Mozzarella Crescent Pinwheels

These come together so easily. (Hey, even serious cooks need a break every now and again!)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Unroll crescent dough and gently press seams together to form a rectangle.

Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and herbs. (I mixed my herbs into my butter because I was using refrigerated herbs and garlic.)

Add a layer of parmesan or mozzarella.

Roll the dough tightly from the long side.

Slice into ¾-inch pinwheels and place them cut side down on the baking sheet.

Bake for 15-16 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Brush pinwheels with a little extra butter right after baking for that perfect glossy finish. Place on wire rack to cool.

Serve warm, with marinara or ranch for dipping—though they’re delicious all on their own!

Store leftovers (what leftovers?!) in an airtight container. Because of the cheese, you should refrigerate these. They will be good in the fridge for 3-4 days. Warm them up in the toaster oven when you’re ready to eat them.

What to Expect from these Pinwheels

Friends, I love an easy recipe. If you’ve visited my Out of the Box Baking site, you know that I’m all about the shortcuts. And this one? Well, it’s a new favorite. I am so over-the-moon for these pinwheels that I plan to make them again. . .and again! They’re simply that good.

It’s fun to look at the bottoms of these. They’re so crispy and light. But that top part? Wow! It’s soft, it’s flaky, and absolutely loaded with rich Italian flavors.

I know you’re going to love these too. If you make them, please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Other Italian Favorites from Aunt Rosa

If you love Italian meals, you’re really going to enjoy these great recipes:

Easy Homemade Minestrone – Italian Vegetable Soup: This classic Italian minestrone soup is hearty, healthy, and brimming with vegetables, beans, and pasta. Easy to customize with what you have on hand — a comforting one-pot meal the whole family will love.

Traditional Sunday Gravy (Italian-American Meat Sauce): This traditional Italian-American Sunday Gravy is a rich, slow-simmered tomato sauce made with ground beef and sausage links. Perfect over pasta, it’s hearty, flavorful, and tastes like it cooked all day.

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad: This easy pasta salad recipe is loaded with tri-color rotini, mozzarella, crisp veggies, olives, and pepperoni, all tossed in a creamy Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or make-ahead lunches!

Chicken & Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe): Cozy up with this creamy chicken and gnocchi soup, packed with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and herbs in a rich, flavorful broth. An easy Olive Garden–inspired comfort food you can make at home in under an hour.

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Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest pages?

About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and storyteller who believes every recipe tells a tale. On her blog, Storybook Kitchen, she shares dishes inspired by her novels—including her beloved Weddings by Bella series, where Aunt Rosa’s Italian recipes and big-hearted wisdom remind us that faith, family, and food are the true ingredients of joy. When Janice isn’t writing or baking, she’s likely dreaming up her next story (or another pan of pinwheels!).