Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

These light and crispy Puff Pastry Cheese Twists are easy to make for entertaining or whenever you’re in the mood for a snack! With just a few ingredients you’ll be ready to enjoy tasty twists.

Close-up of twisted puff pastry breadsticks sprinkled with herbs and cheese, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs on a white surface.

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About this Puff Pastry Cheese Twist recipe

Puff pastry may be one of my favorite things to keep on-hand in the kitchen. This versatile ingredient can be transformed almost instantly into an appetizer, dessert — with a little creativity, even dinner (pizza pinwheels, anyone?)!

Perhaps my best secret is frozen puff pastry. Pull it out of the freezer ahead of when you need to use it so it can thaw completely, that way you can manipulate it into whatever you’re making.

In fact, these Puff Pastry Cheese Twists were possible because of my freezer stash. I needed something to accompany my charcuterie cups for a girls’ night and they were just the thing!

They’re so light they practically melt in your mouth, and their subtle seasoning and cheese won’t overwhelm other flavors. I think I may have found my new go-to recipe when I need a quick appetizer to share!

More appetizer recipes: Pizza Dough BreadsticksPuff Pastry PinwheelsMozzarella Sticks

Why you’ll love this recipe

  1. It’s easy! The puff pastry dough does most of the work, so anyone can make this tasty recipe.
  2. Guests will love them. This is a recipe that’s perfect to serve to a crowd.
  3. You don’t need much time to make this recipe. With limited prep and cook time required, these Puff Pastry Cheese Straws come together in a snap!
A silver tray with twisted breadsticks garnished with fresh rosemary on a white background.

Tools & equipment

No fancy tools required for these Puff Pastry Cheese Twists! In fact, I’m guessing you already have what you need in your kitchen.

You’ll want a baking sheet *, parchment paper * and a pastry brush *. In addition, grab a heat-safe bowl, whisk and rolling pan. Plus a pizza cutter or knife! That’s it!

A tray of golden, twisted cheese straws garnished with fresh rosemary on a white background.

Ingredients

Much like the tools & equipment, the list of ingredients for these crispy delights is pretty short. You’ll need:

  • Puff pastry
  • Egg
  • Water
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning

👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!

Substitutions & variations

I used store-bought puff pastry, but if you’re feeling ambitious you could certainly make your own! You can also buy or make gluten-free puff pastry.

When it comes to seasoning, feel free to be creative. You could use rosemary or thyme to transform these to fit a holiday meal, or even sweeten them with cinnamon and sugar for a dessert spin. Oregano would make these more like a pizza stick — yum!

Cheese? Yes please! Parmesan works well because it doesn’t melt as much as other cheeses, but if you want more of a gooey bite you can feel free to swap in your favorite cheese.

A tray of twisted puff pastry cheese straws garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary.

Instructions

Here’s how you make these Puff Pastry Cheese Twists!

First, preheat your oven and prep your baking sheet *. I line mine with parchment paper * but you could also use a non-stick spray.

Next, roll out your dough on a flour-covered work surface. When you have it to an even thickness, whisk together your egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush it onto your rolled pastry dough and sprinkle on your seasonings and cheese.

Now you’re ready to slice your puff pastry dough — a pizza cutter may work better than a knife. Take each slice and twist a couple of times, placing each twist onto the baking sheet, leaving 1-2 inches in between each. Bake them until they’re golden brown, then let them cool and enjoy!

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Tips & tricks

  • Keep an eye on these as they cook. If you let them go too long, they’ll be more fragile and crunch.
  • If you use a different type of cheese, be prepared for some additional melting.
  • Use your favorite seasonings to make these your own!
A tray of twisted puff pastry cheese straws garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs on a white surface.

Food pairings

While these Puff Pastry Cheese Twists are delicious on their own, they’d be great for dipping. Pepperoni pizza dip or even simple pizza sauce (marinara would work) would compliment the cheesy goodness of these twists.

Whipped feta dip or white bean hummus would be a lighter option that would be tasty for a crowd. Placing your twists on a charcuterie board gives a crunchy element that is sure to impress.

Several twisted puff pastry cheese sticks are arranged on a metal tray, with sprigs of fresh rosemary nearby.

FAQ

What cheese is best for puff pastry cheese twists?

I used parmesan in my cheese twists because it doesn’t melt as much as other cheeses.

Do you roll out puff pastry before using?

It depends on the recipe, but for this one yes! I used a rolling pin to get my puff pastry into a thin sheet to get the right texture for my twists.

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Four twisted puff pastry sticks seasoned with herbs and cheese, arranged on a white surface next to a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Yield: 48 cheese straws
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
These crispy twists make a delicious appetizer to share or an easy snack.
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ingredients

instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out one sheet of puff pastry to ¼-inch thickness.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water to create an egg wash.
  • Brush the egg wash over the puff pastry dough. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
  • Slice the pastry into about 18 ½-inch strips. Twist one piece a few times, then place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining strips, spacing them 1 to 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Repeat with the other sheet of puff pastry.

notes

Keep an eye on these as they bake! If they stay in the oven too long they’ll end up crispier.

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nutrition information

Yield: 48 cheese straws

amount per serving:

Calories: 2965kcal Carbohydrates: 225g Protein: 59g Fat: 204g Saturated Fat: 57g Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g Monounsaturated Fat: 111g Trans Fat: 0.02g Cholesterol: 198mg Sodium: 2085mg Potassium: 437mg Fiber: 8g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 676IU Vitamin C: 0.1mg Calcium: 706mg Iron: 15mg
did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #feastandwestrecipes!

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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