Cheesy Beef Puff Pastry Twists are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or savory snack: golden, flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry wrapped around seasoned, savory ground beef and melted cheese. They look like something you ordered from an upscale bakery, but they come together surprisingly easily with store-bought pastry sheets.
Here is how to make a batch of these irresistible, crispy twists at home.
Ingredients
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1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions (kept cold)
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½ lb lean ground beef
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¼ cup finely diced onion (or ½ tsp onion powder)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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½ tsp smoked paprika or Italian seasoning
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½ tsp kosher salt and ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
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1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella cheese
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1 large egg (beaten, for an egg wash to create that golden shine)
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Optional garnish: sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or freshly grated Parmesan for the top
Instructions
1.Preheat and Prep:Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking from the melted cheese.
2.Cook the Beef Filling:Cook ground beef in a skillet with onion, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and spices until browned, then drain excess grease and let cool.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the meat is fully browned. Stir in the garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Drain any excess grease and let the mixture cool slightly so it doesn’t melt the pastry butter.
3.Assemble the Base:Roll out your chilled puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface, spread the seasoned beef evenly over one half, and top with shredded cheese.
Roll out your thawed puff pastry sheet. Spread the cooked beef evenly over the bottom half of the pastry, then cover it generously with your shredded cheese. Fold the top half of the pastry over the filling to create a neat rectangle, pressing down gently to seal.
4.Cut into Strips:Slice the filled rectangle crosswise into 8 to 10 equal strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the folded pastry crosswise into 8 to 10 long strips.
5.Form the Twists:Twist each strip 3 to 4 times like a corkscrew and place them onto the lined baking sheet, pressing the ends down slightly.
Take each strip, gently twist it 3 to 4 times, and lay it flat on your prepared baking sheet. Press the ends lightly onto the pan so they hold their shape during baking.
6.Bake to Golden Perfection:Brush each twist with the beaten egg wash, sprinkle with seasoning if desired, and bake at 400°F for 15 to 18 minutes until puffed, golden, and bubbly.
Brush the top of each twist with the beaten egg wash for a glossy finish. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the puff pastry layers are deeply golden, flaky, and the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving!
