Donair Pinwheels Recipe

Mix and rest

In a large bowl combine ground beef, finely grated onion, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, salt and black pepper. Add the cold water and mix gently with your hands until just combined—avoid overworking. Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to let flavors meld and mixture firm up.

Cook

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break the chilled meat mixture into small pieces and cook, stirring and pressing occasionally, until nicely browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary and transfer to a plate to cool slightly.

Use/Make sauce

If using store-bought donair sauce, have 1 cup ready chilled. To make a quick classic donair sauce: whisk together 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, 3 tbsp white vinegar (or lemon juice), and 1 tsp garlic powder until smooth and thick. Chill briefly before using.

Preheat and prepare dough

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly dust a work surface with the all-purpose flour. Roll or stretch the pizza dough into a roughly 12x10 inch rectangle (about 1/4-inch thickness). If using dough straight from the fridge, let it sit 10 minutes to relax before rolling.

Spread sauce and layer filling

Spread about 3/4 cup of donair sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border on the long edge nearest you. Sprinkle the cooled donair meat evenly over the sauce in a single layer. Scatter the shredded mozzarella over the meat, then distribute the chopped tomatoes and diced onions evenly. Sprinkle chopped parsley if using. Reserve about 1/4 cup donair sauce for serving.

Roll and slice

Starting from the long edge closest to you, tightly roll the dough into a log, sealing the seam and the far edge by pinching. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, slice the log into 12 even pinwheels (about 1-inch thick). Arrange the pinwheels cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 1/2 inch apart.

Egg wash and bake

Whisk the egg with 1 tsp water and brush the tops of the pinwheels lightly. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through, about 18–22 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even browning.

Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm with the reserved donair sauce for dipping or drizzling.