Marianne Martinez
Flank steak pinwheels are a fun, delicious, and impressive dish to serve for any occasion. They are surprisingly easy to make and can be cooked in an air fryer. The process involves pounding the flank steak, spreading a mixture of ingredients, rolling it up, and cooking it in the air fryer. The ingredients for the mixture can vary, but typically include cheese, herbs, and vegetables. The air fryer method is a convenient alternative to grilling, especially during winter or when access to a grill is limited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Flank steak |
| Filling | Feta, spinach, bacon, parmesan, prosciutto, pesto, cream cheese, herbs, vegetables, salt, pepper, olive oil |
| Temperature | 400 degrees F |
| Timing | 15 minutes, flipping halfway |
| Resting | 5 minutes |
| Cooking method | Air fryer |
| Accompaniments | Salad, sweet potato fries, baked potato |
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What You'll Learn
Flank steak preparation
Flank steak pinwheels are a fun, delicious, and impressive dish to serve for any occasion. They are surprisingly easy to make and can be served as an elegant appetiser or main course. The first step in preparing your flank steak pinwheels is to gather your ingredients and decide on a filling. The traditional filling is a mixture of spinach, feta, and bacon, but you can also add other ingredients such as cheese, herbs, and vegetables. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to discover your own delicious flavour combinations.
Once you have your ingredients, you can begin preparing the flank steak. If your flank steak is relatively thin, you may not need to pound it. However, if it is thicker, use a meat mallet to pound it to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. This will help ensure even cooking and a tender texture. After pounding, season the steak with salt and pepper, or other desired seasonings.
Next, you will create the pinwheel shape. Spread your chosen filling evenly over the steak, leaving a small edge untouched on all sides. This edge will help seal the steak as you roll it up tightly. You can use kitchen string or skewers to hold the roll together. If using kitchen string, tie the steak roll tightly in several sections to help keep the filling inside while cooking.
Finally, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the steak pinwheels in the air fryer and cook for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking process. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your desired doneness and the specifics of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Once they are cooked to your liking, remove the steak pinwheels from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier piece of meat. Slice the pinwheels into rounds using a sharp knife and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious and impressive flank steak pinwheels!
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Filling options
Flank steak pinwheels can be filled with a variety of ingredients, allowing you to get creative and experiment with different flavours. The traditional filling is a mixture of spinach and feta cheese, but you can also add bacon to this combination for a hearty, meaty flavour.
Other options for fillings include:
- Garlic, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, lemon zest, and spinach leaves.
- Sauteed bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Breadcrumbs, onion, spinach, and feta.
- Seasoned breadcrumbs or flavourful spreads like pesto, chimichurri, or olive tapenade.
- Thinly sliced meats like prosciutto or crumbled bacon.
- Other cheeses like Swiss or blue cheese.
- Vegetables like thinly sliced peppers, onions, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes.
When choosing your fillings, consider ingredients that work well together and complement each other. You can also mix and match different fillings and bake them simultaneously to offer a variety of options to your guests.
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Rolling and securing the steak
To make flank steak pinwheels, you'll need to first prepare your flank steak by pounding it to a 1/4-inch thickness. Then, lay the steak on a cutting board, and if your flank steak is relatively thick, you can place a sheet of plastic wrap on top. Next, spread your chosen filling—this could be a mixture of spinach, cheese, salt, and pepper, or pesto, parmesan, and prosciutto—over the steak, leaving a 1/2-inch edge untouched.
Now it's time to roll! Roll up the steak in the direction of the grain of the meat, going fairly tightly so that the filling stays inside. You can then use kitchen string or skewers to secure the roll and hold it together. For extra security, tie the steak roll in 4-6 sections.
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Air fryer settings
To cook flank steak pinwheels in an air fryer, you should first preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You should then place the steak in the air fryer for 15 minutes, flipping the steak halfway through the cooking process.
Before placing the steak in the air fryer, it is important to prepare the meat. Take the steak out of the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. This helps the steak to cook faster and more evenly. It also allows the steak to better absorb seasonings. After letting the steak rest, cut it horizontally, about 1 inch thick. Then, add your desired fillings. For example, you could spread a layer of cream cheese and spinach, or a mixture of spinach, feta, salt, and pepper. You can also add bacon, garlic, or herbs to the mixture.
After adding your fillings, wrap the steak so that the filling is inside the meat. You can use kitchen string or skewers to hold the steak together. Once the steak is secured, place it in the preheated air fryer for 15 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
After cooking, let the steak rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the juices flow to the center of the steak, so that when you cut into it, the juices will not flow out. This will result in a juicier piece of meat.
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Serving suggestions
Flank steak pinwheels are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course. They are often served with a simple garden salad, but there are many other side dish options to choose from as well. Some other options for side dishes include:
- Air-fried sweet potato French fries
- Air-fried baked potato
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Crispy cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Sauteed greens
If you're looking for something more substantial, flank steak pinwheels can also be served with a starch and a vegetable. You can also get creative with the fillings for your pinwheels, using ingredients like cheese, herbs, and vegetables. Some specific filling ideas include:
- Bacon, spinach, and parmesan cheese
- Garlic, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs
- Sauteed bell peppers, onions, and garlic
- Pesto, parmesan, prosciutto, and spinach
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the steak in the air fryer for 15 minutes, flipping halfway during the cooking process.
If your flank steak is thicker, use a meat mallet to pound it thin. Then, season the steak with salt and pepper and let it rest for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
The filling options are endless! Traditional fillings include spinach and feta, but you can also add bacon, garlic, herbs, or parmesan cheese. For a different take on the classic, try fillings such as pesto, prosciutto, or bell peppers.
