Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Using just two ingredients, these simple puff pastry cheese twists are always a popular savoury snack. Add them to your next cheese board or grazing platter, or simply enjoy them as a lunchbox snack.

Buttery puff pastry cheese straws are the easiest appetiser—perfect with dips, on a cheese board, or as a crunchy lunch box snack the kids will love! Just add them to your antipasto platter and watch them disappear!

Crisp, flaky puff pastry makes the easiest finger food—and it’s so much more tempting than a box of store-bought crackers!

Check out my mini ham and cheese pinwheels, ricotta and spinach tarts and the delicious brie and cranberry puff pastry bites for easy finger food recipes to feed a crowd!

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

Simple to make and always a hit, you must try these crispy cheese straws!

• Only 2 ingredients - Just grated cheese and puff pastry sheets, that's it!
• Perfect for entertaining - No one can resist a flaky pastry twist when served as finger foods or part of a platter. Just the right snack to serve with drinks for happy hour, too!
• So much better than store-bought! - Dry and tasteless store-bought cheese straws truly cannot compete with these homemade fresh and crispy puff pastry cheese twists!
• Bake in just 15 minutes - You can even prepare puff pastry twists ahead of time, wrap them in foil and store them in the fridge, ready to bake just prior to serving!

Pastry Twists Ingredients

Here is the basic two-ingredient recipe for these tasty cheese sticks.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

• Cheese - Parmesan or hard cheddar or a mix of both, finely grated. These cheese sticks are all about the flavour, so grate your own fresh cheese, rather than using pre-shredded cheese - which contains anti-caking agents.

How To Make Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Puff pastry cheese twists are best eaten fresh on the day, either served warm from the oven or within 1 - 2 hours of baking.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

1. Step 1: Line 2 flat baking trays with baking paper. Set these aside for later.
   
   Finely grate the cheese and sprinkle about ⅙th of it onto a chopping board or bench.

2. Step 2: Lay a sheet of defrosted puff pastry on top of the grated cheese.
   
   Use a rolling pin to roll the pastry onto the sprinkled cheese (I leave the plastic film on the top of the pastry at this stage as it stops the pastry from sticking to the rolling pin).

3. Step 3: Remove the plastic backing now and discard it.
   
   Carefully lift the pastry sheet up and sprinkle another ⅙th of the grated cheese onto the board.
   
   Turn the pastry sheet over and place it on top of the grated cheese again.
   
   Once more, use the rolling pin to roll the pastry over the cheese.

4. Step 4: Fold the pastry in half and sprinkle with the next ⅙th of the grated cheese.

5. Step 5: Fold the pastry in half and sprinkle with the next ⅙th of the grated cheese.|
   
   Roll the pastry out until it's thin (about half a centimetre).
   
   Cut the pastry sheet into 10 long strips.

6. Step 6: Create the twists by gently turning the ends of each pastry strip in opposite directions. Place pastry strips onto the prepared trays.
   
   Repeat this process with the remaining cheese and pastry sheet, then place the trays in the fridge for the pastry to chill for 1 hour.
   
   Bake cheese twists for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden and crunchy.

Expert Tips

One of the essential tips for the flakiest puff pastry cheese straws is to keep the pastry cool, so once prepped, chill the twists in the fridge or freezer for an hour.

• Chilling the pastry ensures that it puffs up beautifully when baked. 
• If you want to make these ahead, cover unbaked cheese twists with foil and store in the fridge for up to 6 hours until ready to bake.
• Have your oven preheated to the right temperature before baking.
• Puff pastry cheese twists will firm upon cooling.
• Best served while warm on the day of cooking, however cheese straws can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Puff pastry cheese twists are not suitable for freezing. 

Puff Pastry Cheese Twists FAQs

More Savoury Snack Recipes

Whether you're preparing for a crowd or just making a simple snack for the family at home, here are some more quick and easy (and delicious!) recipes!