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Parmesan and mozzarella air fryer puff pastry cheese twists make a wonderful air fryer appetizer or side dish. There is nothing difficult about making cheese twists from scratch. And of course homemade puff pastry cheese straws are so much more delicious than the store-bought kind. So, what are you waiting for? You’ll definitely want to make these puff pastry sheet based cheese snacks right away!
Boasting the unmistakable satisfying flavors of parmesan and mozzarella, this crispy snack is great for everything from picnics to parties. They’re wonderfully crispy!
If you like these, also try rosemary cheddar biscuits, beer cheese muffins, coastal medley trail mix, and pull-apart jalapeno popper rolls.
Why You’ll Love Them
Simple to make: You can buy these from the store but since it’s so easy to make your own, you might as well, as they’re better that way. You are starting with a puff pastry sheet, cheese and seasoned butter, then combining them, twisting them up and air frying until done.
Crisp and crunchy: The texture of these is fantastic, especially if you serve them warm from the air fryer. They’re so crispy – one is never enough!
Customizable: Feel free to use any herbs, spices or seasonings you want. Swap the cheese for different kinds. Or pick a more unusual dipping sauce. You can really make this recipe your own and put your own stamp on it.
Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Cheese: Parmesan and mozzarella pair up perfectly.
Garlic: A lovely flavor that complements the cheese.
Puff pastry: Using readymade puff pastry sheets makes light work of these air fryer puff pastry garlic cheese twists.
Butter: For a rich flavor.
Seasonings: Basil, paprika and salt add lots of flavor.
Marinara sauce: Perfect for dipping!
How to Make Puff Pastry Cheese Twists from Scratch
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the puff pastry sheets: Cut each puff pastry sheet into strips on a floured surface.
Prepare the cheese and the butter mixture: Cut the mozzarella into strips, and mix the butter with the basil, garlic, parmesan, and salt, then brush it over the pastry strips and add the mozzarella on top.
Shape the twists: Twist each one to hold in the cheese and make a cute twist shape.
Cook and serve: Brush butter over them and air fry until golden, then serve warm with basil and serve with your preferred dipping sauce
Substitutions and Variations
Seasonings: Switch the basil for dried oregano or the paprika for cayenne pepper.
Dipping sauce: Tomato and cheese have a natural affinity for one another but any other dip would work for these. Consider tomato salsa, chive and onion dip or guacamole. Perhaps you have another favorite or, if you’re making a range of appetizers, you could offer more than one.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Pair these air fryer cheese twists with a homemade marinara for dipping. Enjoy them along with other appetizers such as Cajun shrimp deviled eggs and marinated mozzarella balls.
Snacks: Add something sweet for contrast, perhaps these tiramisu cookies.
Main dishes: How about a tasty quinoa curry or a roasted half chicken?
And to drink: A cup of coffee, tea, a mango banana strawberry smoothie, or even hot chocolate is great with this snack. Making them for a party? Serve clementine creamsicle martinis.
How to Store Cheese Straws
Store: Keep the twists in an airtight container and use within a few days.
Freeze: These freeze well (use Ziploc bags or freezer-safe bags) but take care not to break them!
Thaw: Thaw on a clean kitchen towel on the counter for about 2 hours.
Top Tips
Thaw the pastry completely: Make sure it’s thawed completely before making the cheese twists.
Handle with care: It’s easy to snap these delicate cheese twists, so be careful (you can always eat any accidentally broken ones!)
Make them ahead: These stay fresh for days so feel free to make them in advance.
Use a pizza wheel: A sharp pizza wheel cuts through the pastry and cheese if you prefer to use that over a knife.
Puff Pastry Cheese Twists FAQs
The good news is this air fryer appetizer or side dish recipe keeps for up to a week, as long as you keep them in an airtight container. If they do go a bit soft, you can pop them in a 350 degrees F oven for about 3 minutes to crisp them back up.
You can freeze them before baking or freeze the cooked ones. For unbaked ones, lay them on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet and freeze. Transfer them into a Ziploc freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. For baked cheese twists, let them cool completely and then do the same as with unbaked ones, laying them out on a baking sheet first. Unbaked ones can then go into the oven to bake, as per the recipe. Already baked ones will need 10 minutes in the oven to crisp them back up again.
Air Fryer Puff Pastry Garlic Twists Recipe
Air Fryer Puff Pastry Garlic Cheese Twists
Supplies
- 2 puff pastry sheets
- 1/2 Cup butter, melted
- 8 Ounces mozzarella cheese, block
- 2 Tablespoons parmesan , grated
- 1 Teaspoon basil, dried
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 Teaspoon sea salt , flakes
- 1/2 Teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 Cup marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Allow puff pastry to thaw completely before starting.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly flour a wooden cutting board and unroll the puff pastry.
- Cut the pastry into 1” strips
- Slice mozzarella into ¼” strips
- Combine melted butter, Parmesan, dried basil, minced garlic, and sea salt in a small mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Brush pastry with butter mix.
- Lay mozzarella down the center of the pastry strips. Twist tightly to cover the cheese.
- Brush pastry twists with butter. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving a half inch of space between each strip.
- Cook for 7 minutes.
- Sprinkle chopped basil over the strips and serve with marinara to dip.
Notes
Handle with care: It’s easy to snap these delicate cheese twists, so be careful (you can always eat any accidentally broken ones!)
Make them ahead: These stay fresh for days so feel free to make them in advance if you’re going to be busy.
Use a pizza wheel: A sharp pizza wheel cuts through the pastry and cheese if you prefer to use that over a knife.
Nutrition
Once you know how easy it is to make cheese twists from scratch, you will want to make these. Air fryer puff pastry garlic cheese twists are bursting with flavor and they’re always a popular snack served with marinara sauce for dipping.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I am never buying the store-bought variety again. These are good, if not better!
These Parmesan and mozzarella air fryer puff pastry garlic cheese twists were fantastic! Can’t wait to make them again soon!
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends too!
The cheese and garlic combo is the best! I can’t get enough.
Cheese and garlic was all I needed to hear. So amazing!
Really crispy and cheesy. Love these better than storebought.
I’m never buying this again. This homemade recipe is the bomb!!!
I love cheese twists. Must try these. 🙂