These Puff Pastry Parmesan Twists are a simple, three-ingredient take on classic cheese straws, made with store-bought puff pastry, grated Parmesan, and a few seasonings. They bake up flaky and golden in about 30 minutes and make an excellent appetizer, snack, or add-on for a cheese board.
What you’ll love about this recipe
- Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Customizable: Swap in different hard cheeses or seasoning blends to suit your taste.
- Versatile: Serve on appetizer platters, with dips, or alongside pasta in place of breadsticks.
If you’ve never made cheese straws from puff pastry, these twists are a great place to start. The method is forgiving and works with many cheese and herb combinations, so you can adapt them to whatever you have in the pantry.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Herbs de Provence (or other dried herb blend)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Puff Pastry Cheese Twist Flavor Combos
Pick any hard, grated cheese and pair it with a complementary seasoning. These combinations are easy to mix and match:
- Parmesan & Herbs de Provence
- Gruyère & minced fresh thyme
- Pecorino Romano & a pinch of cayenne
- Aged cheddar & smoked paprika
How to Make Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
- Preheat and prepare: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Roll the puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the sheet to about 1/8-inch thickness. The exact rectangle size is flexible; the goal is a thin, even sheet.
- Apply egg wash: Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the rolled puff pastry lightly with the egg wash to give the twists a glossy, golden finish and help the toppings adhere.
- Add cheese and seasonings: Evenly sprinkle the grated Parmesan and Herbs de Provence (or your chosen toppings) over the egg-washed pastry. Gently roll over the toppings with the rolling pin to press them into the dough so they won’t fall off during twisting and baking.
- Cut strips: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the pastry into long strips about 1/2 inch wide. You can vary the length: shorter twists are easier to dip and less likely to break, while long twists look great on a platter.
- Twist and bake: Hold each strip by both ends, twist it a few times into a spiral, and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each twist again with egg wash, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on a rack. These are crispiest when warm or at room temperature; they begin to lose crunch after a couple of hours.
Tips, Make-Ahead & Storage
- Press toppings in: Rolling the toppings lightly into the dough helps them adhere and prevents excessive shedding during baking.
- Freeze before baking: Arrange twisted, unbaked cheese straws on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight container. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the bake time. Unbaked twists freeze well for up to one month.
- Store leftovers: Keep baked twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours to preserve crispness. If they soften, re-crisp in a 350°F oven for a few minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These savory twists pair beautifully with cocktails, wine, and cheese boards. Serve them alongside dips, charcuterie, or as a crunchy accompaniment to pasta when you want an easy and elegant alternative to breadsticks.
Recipe Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: about 8 twists
- Calories: approximately 203 kcal per twist
Notes
Feel free to experiment with cheeses and herbs to create your own favorite flavor combination. Keep a spare sheet of puff pastry in the freezer so you can pull these together quickly whenever guests arrive.
