Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
If you have cooked turkey in the refrigerator and want something easier than another turkey sandwich, these Turkey Crescent Roll Ups are a delicious solution.
Flaky refrigerated crescent dough is filled with tender turkey, creamy cheese, shredded cheddar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs, then rolled and baked until golden.
The outside becomes buttery and crisp around the edges while the center stays warm, creamy, and cheesy.
They work especially well for:
- Thanksgiving leftovers
- Easy lunches
- Quick dinners
- Holiday appetizers
- Game-day snacks
- Kids’ lunches
- After-school snacks
- Christmas party food
You can also make them with deli turkey any time of year.
Why You’ll Love These Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
Quick and easy. Refrigerated crescent dough keeps preparation simple.
Perfect for leftover turkey. A great way to use cooked Thanksgiving turkey.
Cheesy and creamy. Cream cheese and cheddar keep the filling moist.
Kid-friendly. Mild flavors and handheld portions make these easy to serve.
Customizable. Add cranberry sauce, bacon, ranch, spinach, stuffing, or different cheeses.
Great for parties. Make smaller roll ups for appetizers.
Easy to reheat. The oven or air fryer brings back the flaky texture.
Ingredients
Turkey Filling
- 2 cups cooked turkey, finely chopped or shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Crescent Rolls
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
Garlic Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
Best Turkey to Use
Leftover Roast Turkey
This is especially good after Thanksgiving.
Both white and dark meat work.
A mixture gives the filling great flavor and texture.
Turkey Breast
Cooked turkey breast keeps the roll ups lean and mild.
Deli Turkey
Thinly sliced deli turkey works when you don’t have leftover roast turkey.
Fold or chop it before filling the crescent dough.
Smoked Turkey
Smoked turkey gives the roll ups a deeper flavor and works particularly well with cheddar.
Best Cheese for Turkey Crescent Rolls
Cheddar
Cheddar gives the filling plenty of flavor.
Sharp cheddar works especially well with turkey.
Swiss
Turkey and Swiss is a classic combination.
It’s especially good with Dijon mustard.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack melts smoothly and keeps the flavor mild.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella gives you more cheese pull.
Pepper Jack
Use Pepper Jack if you want a little heat.
How to Make Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to:
375°F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine:
- Turkey
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar
- Mayonnaise or sour cream
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Parsley
- Black pepper
Mix until evenly combined.
The filling should be creamy but not runny.
Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Dough
Open the crescent dough.
Separate it into individual triangles.
Lay them flat on a clean work surface.
Step 4: Add the Turkey Filling
Place approximately:
2 tablespoons filling
near the wide end of each crescent triangle.
Avoid spreading filling all the way to the edges.
Step 5: Roll
Starting at the wide end, gently roll toward the pointed end.
Tuck in any loose filling as you go.
Place each crescent:
seam-side down
on the baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for approximately:
10–14 minutes
or until:
- Crescent dough is puffed
- Tops are golden
- Filling is hot
Step 7: Make Garlic Butter
While the rolls bake, combine:
- Melted butter
- Garlic powder
- Parmesan
- Parsley
Step 8: Brush the Roll Ups
As soon as they come out of the oven, brush the tops with garlic butter.
Step 9: Rest
Let them cool for:
3–5 minutes
before serving.
The filling will be very hot.
The Secret to the Best Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
Chop the Turkey Small
Large chunks make the dough difficult to roll.
Keep the Filling Thick
Watery filling can leak out and soften the crescent dough.
Don’t Overfill
Too much filling makes the rolls split.
Bake Seam-Side Down
This helps keep the crescent rolls closed.
Add Garlic Butter After Baking
This gives the strongest buttery garlic flavor.
Thanksgiving Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
These are especially useful after Thanksgiving.
Use leftover:
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Cranberry sauce
Place a little turkey and stuffing inside each crescent.
Add only a small amount of cranberry sauce so the filling doesn’t become too wet.
Serve with warm gravy for dipping.
Turkey Cranberry Crescent Roll Ups
Add:
1–2 teaspoons cranberry sauce
to each crescent before rolling.
Use:
- Turkey
- Cream cheese
- Swiss or cheddar
- Cranberry sauce
This gives you a sweet-savory holiday flavor.
Turkey and Stuffing Crescent Rolls
Combine:
- Chopped turkey
- Leftover stuffing
- A spoonful of gravy
Keep the mixture thick.
Add cheddar or Swiss if desired.
Serve with extra gravy.
Turkey and Cheese Crescent Roll Ups
For a simpler version, use:
- Turkey
- Cheddar
- Crescent dough
Skip the cream cheese.
Add Dijon mustard if desired.
This variation is especially good for quick lunches.
Turkey Swiss Crescent Rolls
Use:
- Turkey
- Swiss cheese
- Dijon mustard
This creates a classic deli-style flavor.
You can also add a little honey mustard.
Turkey Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls
Add:
- Cooked crumbled bacon
- Ranch seasoning
- Cheddar
to the turkey filling.
Serve with ranch for dipping.
Turkey Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
Increase cream cheese to:
8 ounces
for an extra-creamy filling.
Add:
- Turkey
- Green onions
- Garlic powder
- Cheddar
This variation is especially good as an appetizer.
Turkey Spinach Crescent Roll Ups
Add:
1 cup chopped cooked spinach
to the filling.
Squeeze the spinach very dry before adding it.
Use:
- Turkey
- Spinach
- Cream cheese
- Mozzarella
Turkey Broccoli Crescent Rolls
Add:
1 cup finely chopped cooked broccoli
to the filling.
Pair with:
- Turkey
- Cheddar
- Cream cheese
This gives the roll ups a casserole-style flavor.
Turkey Jalapeño Popper Crescents
Mix:
- Turkey
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar
- Finely chopped jalapeño
Serve with ranch.
Turkey Pepper Jack Crescent Rolls
Use:
- Turkey
- Pepper Jack
- Dijon
- Green onions
for a slightly spicy version.
Turkey Ranch Crescent Rolls
Add:
1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
to the cream cheese mixture.
Use less additional salt because ranch seasoning is already savory.
Turkey Garlic Parmesan Crescents
Increase garlic powder.
Add:
¼ cup Parmesan
to the turkey filling.
After baking, brush generously with garlic-Parmesan butter.
Turkey Pizza Crescent Rolls
Combine:
- Turkey
- Mozzarella
- A small spoonful of pizza sauce
- Italian seasoning
Serve with marinara.
Keep the sauce amount small so the dough stays crisp.
Turkey Pesto Crescent Rolls
Spread a thin layer of pesto over each crescent.
Add:
- Turkey
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
Roll and bake.
This variation has a fresh herb flavor and works well for lunch.
Turkey Ham and Cheese Crescent Rolls
Add thin pieces of ham with the turkey.
Use:
- Swiss
- Cheddar
for a warm deli-style roll up.
Mini Turkey Crescent Bites
Cut each crescent triangle into smaller pieces.
Use a smaller amount of filling.
These mini versions work very well for:
- Holiday parties
- Game day
- Kids
- Appetizer boards
Start checking them earlier because smaller rolls bake more quickly.
Turkey Crescent Roll Pinwheels
Instead of individual crescent triangles:
- Press crescent dough seams together.
- Spread turkey filling over the dough.
- Roll into a log.
- Chill briefly.
- Slice into rounds.
- Bake until golden.
This creates spiral-shaped appetizers.
Turkey Crescent Roll Ring
Arrange crescent triangles in a circle with wide ends overlapping.
Spread turkey filling around the center.
Fold the pointed ends over the filling.
Bake until golden.
Serve with:
- Cranberry sauce
- Gravy
- Honey mustard
in the center.
This is especially attractive for holiday parties.
Turkey Crescent Braid
Press crescent dough into a rectangle.
Place turkey filling down the center.
Cut strips along both sides.
Fold the strips over the filling in alternating directions.
Bake until golden.
This creates a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
Air Fryer Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
These can also be cooked in an air fryer.
Arrange them in a single layer.
Air fry at approximately:
330–350°F
until golden and cooked through.
Check early because air fryers vary.
Cook in batches so the crescents have room to expand.
What to Serve With Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
They pair well with:
Turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce
Honey mustard
Ranch
Green salad
Tomato soup
Broccoli cheddar soup
Roasted vegetables
For a Thanksgiving-leftover meal, serve them with gravy and cranberry sauce.
Best Dipping Sauces
Turkey Gravy
Perfect for the Thanksgiving version.
Cranberry Sauce
Excellent with turkey and Swiss.
Honey Mustard
Works beautifully with turkey and cheddar.
Ranch
Great with bacon or spicy variations.
Garlic Butter
Ideal for cheese-heavy crescent rolls.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the filling up to:
1 day ahead.
Store it covered in the refrigerator.
For the best dough texture, assemble the crescents shortly before baking.
You can also assemble them a few hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
How to Store Turkey Crescent Roll Ups
Cool leftovers promptly.
Transfer to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for approximately:
3–4 days.
Because the filling contains cooked turkey and dairy, keep the rolls refrigerated rather than leaving them at room temperature for long periods.
How to Reheat
Oven
Reheat at:
350°F
until hot.
This gives the best flaky texture.
Air Fryer
Heat for a few minutes at moderate temperature.
This works especially well for restoring crisp edges.
Microwave
Microwave briefly until hot.
The dough will be softer but still tasty.
Can You Freeze Turkey Crescent Roll Ups?
Yes.
For best results:
- Bake the rolls.
- Cool completely.
- Freeze in a single layer.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container.
Reheat from frozen or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
An oven or air fryer gives the best texture after freezing.
How to Prevent Filling From Leaking
Don’t Overfill
Use about 2 tablespoons per roll.
Keep Filling Away From Edges
Leave a small border around the dough.
Keep the Filling Thick
Avoid too much gravy or cranberry sauce.
Bake Seam-Side Down
This helps keep everything closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Yes. It’s one of the best uses for this recipe.
Can I use deli turkey?
Absolutely.
What cheese goes best with turkey?
Cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Pepper Jack all work well.
Can I add cranberry sauce?
Yes. Use a small amount.
Can I add stuffing?
Absolutely.
Can I use cream cheese?
Yes. It keeps the filling creamy and moist.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes.
Can I air fry them?
Yes.
Can I freeze them?
Yes.
Why is the filling leaking?
The rolls may be overfilled or the filling may contain too much liquid.
Easy Turkey Crescent Roll Ups Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 10–14 minutes
Servings: 8 roll ups
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked turkey, chopped or shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent dough
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Combine turkey, cream cheese, cheddar, mayonnaise, Dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and pepper.
- Separate crescent dough into triangles.
- Place about 2 tablespoons filling near the wide end of each triangle.
- Roll toward the pointed end.
- Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–14 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Mix melted butter, garlic powder, Parmesan, and parsley.
- Brush over the hot roll ups.
- Rest for 3–5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Delicious Variations
Turkey Cranberry Crescents: Add cranberry sauce and Swiss.
Turkey Stuffing Crescent Rolls: Add leftover stuffing.
Turkey Bacon Ranch Crescents: Add bacon, cheddar, and ranch.
Turkey Spinach Crescents: Add spinach and mozzarella.
Turkey Jalapeño Popper Rolls: Add jalapeño, cream cheese, and cheddar.
Turkey Garlic Parmesan Crescents: Add extra garlic and Parmesan.
Turkey Pesto Crescent Rolls: Add pesto and mozzarella.
Final Thoughts
Turkey Crescent Roll Ups turn simple crescent dough and cooked turkey into a warm, cheesy handheld meal that works just as well for Thanksgiving leftovers as it does for an everyday lunch or appetizer.
The combination of turkey, cream cheese, cheddar, Dijon, and garlic stays flavorful and moist while the crescent dough bakes up soft, flaky, and golden.
For the best result, chop the turkey fairly small, keep the filling thick, don’t overfill the crescents, bake seam-side down, and serve them warm with gravy, cranberry sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
