Who said kids don’t want to eat their vegetables? These bite-sized veggie pinwheels are a nutrition-packed kids snack or lunchbox hit! They’re packed with protein and lots of nutritious veggies and taste amazing!

Healthy Veggie Pinwheels

I’ll be totally honest here…it can be a struggle some days to get my kids to eat enough vegetables!

They like broccoli, but I’d love for them to eat more than just broccoli! So what’s a mom to do??

These veggie pinwheels are a total WIN! They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and easy to pack in a lunch box. Plus, the kids love them!

Filled with light and crunchy vegetables these little pinwheels pack a punch of both flavor and nutrition. I also snuck in some hemp hearts for extra protein and good fats.

While these are a great way to sneak some veggies in my kid’s day, they are also a great lunch for grown-ups too!

Getting spinach, cucumber and carrots into your toddler can sometimes be a hassle. My favorite part about these pinwheels is that they’re bite sized. Easy for little kids to grab and eat without all the mess of a full wrap. This makes it more likely for them to eat them and thus get in a few more veggie servings!

These healthy veggie pinwheels are easy to whip up and make a great, vegetable based snack for kids! They’re full of simple ingredients and bite-sized to make them easy for toddlers. They make a great after-school snack.

PS – for a completely opposite take on healthy pinwheel sandwiches, check out Jennifer’s Keto Meatwiches (bread-free pinwheel sandwiches).

Why this recipe rocks:

• Good source of protein and vegetables
• Easy to make in just a few minutes
• Portable and practically mess free

Veggie Roll-Ups Ingredients

• 1/2 large cucumber, peeled
• 1 1/4 cups spinach
• 1 large carrot, peeled
• 1/2 container regular cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
• 4 large wraps (burrito size)

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful:

• Silicone spatula
• Chef’s knife
• Grater or food processor
• Measuring spoons

Substitution Ideas

If you don’t have some of these ingredients on hand (hemp hearts may not always been easy to find), you can make some easy substitutions that will taste just as delicious.

Here are some suggestions:

• Hemp hearts are high in protein, which is why we love them. However, you can also use flax seeds or chia seeds instead. 
• Fresh spinach can have a bit of an aftertaste, so feel free to swap with fresh kale (my fav!) or shredded lettuce.
• Greek yogurt is a great substitute for cream cheese. You can also use a non-dairy substitute, such as dairy free ranch dressing. Hummus is a great option too!

Directions

First, prep your ingredients:

• Remove cream cheese from refrigerator to soften.
• Wash and dry free vegetables.
• Shred the carrots, chop the spinach and peel the cucumber into ribbons. A carrot or potato peeler is helpful for this step.

To Make the Wraps:

Using a silicone spatula or a knife, spread the cream cheese over the wraps (about two tablespoons per wrap).

Divide up the cucumber into the wraps and then top with the carrot and spinach.

Pour half a tablespoon of hemp hearts into each wrap.

Tightly roll the wrap and use a sharp knife to cut into slices, about 1-inch wide. If needed, secure each wheel with a toothpick.

Each wrap makes roughly six pinwheels for a total of 24.

Can You Make these Ahead of Time?

I like to prepare school lunches at night before I go to bed. That way we can just grab lunch and go in the morning, because we always seem to be in a rush!

You can make these pinwheels ahead of time and keep refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy. I don’t recommend keeping them in the fridge longer than overnight, however, as the wraps may start to become soggy.

Is this Recipe Vegetarian?

Because we used a cream cheese spread, which is dairy-based, this recipe as written is not vegetarian. However, it can be easily modified to be vegetarian and/or vegan!

Simply use your favorite spread. Hummus would work wonderfully in these veggie wraps!

Veggie Pinwheels Recipe (Printable Copy)

 

For more easy lunch box ideas, check out our pepperoni & cheese pizza muffins and our back-to-school chalkboard cupcakes.