Description
Crisp puff pastry cheese straws offer a delightful blend of buttery, flaky layers and sharp cheddar excitement. Guests will devour these elegant French-inspired appetizers, savoring each golden, cheesy bite that promises sophisticated snacking pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) grated mixed hard cheese (Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, or aged cheddar)
- 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry, thawed
Baking Essentials:
- No additional baking essentials needed
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- No additional seasonings needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and arrange the rack in the center position. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Scatter grated cheese onto a clean work surface and gently unfurl the puff pastry directly over the cheese, ensuring even coverage.
- Press additional cheese onto the pastry surface, using a rolling pin to embed the cheese and thin the dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness.
- Fold the pastry in half, creating layers of cheese and dough, then roll out again to maintain the consistent thickness.
- With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the pastry into uniform strips measuring 1-inch wide, choosing either 10-inch or 6-8-inch lengths based on desired straw size.
- Carefully transfer each pastry strip to the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them for expansion.
- Gently twist each strip by rotating the ends in opposite directions, applying light pressure to secure the shape.
- Chill the formed straws in the refrigerator for 10-60 minutes to help maintain their twisted structure during baking.
- Bake until the straws transform into puffy, crisp golden delicacies, monitoring shorter strips around 15 minutes and longer strips near 20 minutes.
- Allow the cheese straws to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack, then repeat the baking process with the remaining batch.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Pick robust, flavorful cheeses like Parmesan, Gruyère, or sharp cheddar to ensure maximum taste intensity in your straws.
- Precision in Rolling: Roll pastry consistently thin to guarantee crispy, light texture and even baking throughout each delicate straw.
- Chilling is Crucial: Refrigerating the unbaked straws helps maintain their elegant twisted shape and prevents butter from melting too quickly during baking.
- Twist Technique: Gently twist strips with steady hands to create beautiful, professional-looking spirals that’ll impress your guests.
- Watch Carefully While Baking: Monitor straws closely to prevent burning, aiming for a perfect golden-brown color that signals ultimate crispiness.
- Storage Tip: Store completely cooled cheese straws in an airtight container to maintain their delightful crunch for several days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg