Easy to make puff pastry cheese sticks
Super simple and super delicious; puff pastry cheese sticks. I make them with sesame seeds, parmesan cheese and nigella seeds but you can sprinkle anything you like on them.
Puff pastry cheese sticks with sesame seeds, cheese and nigella seeds
This is one of those dishes that I had planned to make forever but that are really so simple that you just never get around to actually making it. And let’s be honest; you don’t really need a recipe for this but they are insanely delicious. We are making these today to go with the celeriac and wild mushroom soup we’re having as a starter. So much better than whatever store bought variety you can find that is either too hard or completely tasteless.
Depending on where you live you can either buy a roll of puff pastry or a block or square frozen sheets. We used to only have the square small puff pastry sheets but lately it has become easier to get a roll of puff pastry. Which is easier to make these puff pasty cheese sticks.
What do you need?
In order to make these crispy cheese sticks you need the following tools:
- rolling pin
- pizza cutter or sharp knife
- a small bowl
- pastry brush
- baking tray
- parchment paper
How to make the cheese sticks?
Making these crispy puff pastry cheese sticks is super easy to do. First you take out the puff pastry and let it come to room temperature. Make sure you cover it with something like cling film to prevent it from drying out.
Once defrosted you place your sheets of puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Using the rolling pin you gently roll out the sheets so they are a bit thinner. Once that is done you cut the puff pastry with the pizza wheel into long strips.
For each puff pastry cheese stick you need two strips or you can get a bit fancier and use three strips. You then place the ends of each strip together at the top and twist the rest of the strips together. You can make a braid if you use three or more strips, but in terms of how much you really need; two is really enough. You can twist each strip in the opposite direction to make them stand out more. But after baking they will look good no matter how you twist them.
Once you have twisted all your strips you place them on the parchment paper on top of a large baking sheet.
Brush with egg wash
Now in order to get them really crispy and golden brown you want to use a bit of egg wash to brush on the strips. That also ensures that the shredded cheese stays on top of the strings. You take a beaten egg or just use the egg yolk and using a pastry brush you brush each string. Once that is done sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and the sesame seeds and nigella seeds.
Now you place them in the preheated oven (a 375-degree oven)and bake them for about 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.
Once they are done leave to cool and eat right away or save in an airtight container until you want to eat them.
Variations on puff pastry cheese sticks
The fun thing about these puff pastry cheese twists is that you can make endless variations. You can use a cheese mixture by mixing in different types of cheeses or you can use for instance cheddar cheese or gruyere cheese. Keep in mind that some cheeses will melt quicker and brown quicker.
I tend to use a mix of parmesan cheese and cheddar. If I want it a bit spicier I like to use pecorino romano.
You can add a bit of black pepper to it or use some Italian seasoning. If you do use herbs make sure you use the dried variety as fresh herbs will burn in the oven.
You can add some garlic powder or spicy chili pepper to the sprinkling mix too.
How to use the cheese sticks
Now these cheese sticks are super versatile. They are delicious with a bowl of soup (we like to call them soup sticks here in the Netherlands) but they are also an easy snack. In fact it is a perfect snack for events like New Years. I serve them sometimes with a slice or prosciutto wrapped around the puff pastry cheese sticks and place them in a glass on the table. Looks great and tastes even better.
You can also use them on a cheese board or as part of a great appetizer. They work pretty well for dipping although they are so crunchy that they might break a bit easier so that can get a little bit messy.
The crispy texture of these delicious sticks will work wonders at all cocktail parties or dinners. So try how easy they are for yourself!
More things to do with puff pastry
Puff pastry cheese stick
Equipment
- Pizza Cutter or sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (can be found in the fridge section of the supermarket
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp cheese grated
- 1 tbsp nigella seeds
- other coverings per your choice like rosemary, thyme, bacon etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180˚ C (375˚F)
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut into very thin strips.
- Take two strips per stick and fold them around each other. It doesn’t matter all that much how you do it, as it will still look pretty once out of the oven.
- Brush with the egg and than sprinkle some of the seeds and/or cheese over the top.
- Put onto a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden
Nutrition Information
Disclaimer
The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.
These look so great! I want one right now! Pinned!
Thanks so much Tori!
I love puff pastry, it’s amazing how many things you can make with it! Love these cheese stick! Pinned.
Thanks Manali! Yes it so easy to make delicious things with puff pastry…:)
love cheese sticks and your photos are gorgeous, makes me want to eat some now 😀
Thanks so much Lisa!
I have made these before and I was almost embarrassed to serve them because they look so beautiful but are so dead easy to make. Yours are even prettier than mine. 🙂
Aren’t those the best though? So simple and yet they look so decadent and delicious! 🙂
I know what you mean, they’re almost too easy but they’re such a hit it would be a shame not to serve them 😀 Love the idea with bacon too!
Plus anything is better with bacon right? 🙂