Crispy, Cheesy, & Easy: Homemade Everything Bagel Puff Pastry Twists

Prepare to be utterly delighted by these homemade cheese twists, crafted effortlessly with frozen puff pastry and generously infused with the iconic everything bagel seasoning. These incredibly addictive, flaky pastries are an absolute must-have for entertaining, offering a gourmet touch with minimal effort.

My excitement over these everything bagel cheese twists has been building, and I am absolutely thrilled to finally share this fantastic recipe with you. In a world where instant gratification is often sought, the immediacy of the internet means you don’t have to wait another moment to discover how simple and satisfying these twists truly are. I was on the verge of sharing another recipe, but at the last minute, I knew these cheese twists had to take priority. Why? Because this coming weekend, or any gathering for that matter, provides the perfect excuse to whip up a batch. And believe me, they are unbelievably easy to create.

Before we dive into the creation of these flaky delights, let’s talk about the star of the show: everything bagel seasoning. Lately, I’ve developed an insatiable craving to “everything-bagel-ize” literally all the things. It’s officially become a verb in my culinary vocabulary, and once you try it on these cheese twists, you’ll understand why!

I must confess, if I’m being completely honest, there was a phase in my life when I actively avoided anything flavored with everything bagel seasoning. I was a staunch traditionalist, a loyal supporter of the plain, toasted bagel. The mere thought of a stray piece of minced dried onion or garlic on my beloved plain bagel – or worse, its flavor somehow infusing into it – was, in my mind, an unforgivable offense. No, no, no. Looking back, I realize how particular, perhaps even a bit stubborn, I was. Clearly, I was missing out.

Thankfully, for reasons unknown, I eventually outgrew that phase. My palate evolved, and I slowly began to embrace everything bagels and, subsequently, everything bagel seasoning. What started as tolerance quickly blossomed into a full-blown love affair, and as they say, the rest is history. Nowadays, plain bagels are practically my nemesis, a relic of a past culinary preference. Give me all the everything bagel things, and let’s start with these ridiculously flaky, cheesy puff pastry twists! They perfectly encapsulate everything I adore about this seasoning blend.

It might seem a tad humorous to use the word ‘bagel’ when no actual bagel is involved in this recipe – or really, whenever one uses this delightful mixture of poppy seeds, minced garlic, minced onion, salt, and sesame seeds. However, given the widespread recognition and love for this flavor profile, “everything bagel cheese twists” just rolls off the tongue. It perfectly conveys the savory, aromatic experience that awaits. Now, let’s get down to creating these fantastic party snacks!

The beauty of these easy cheese twists lies in their sheer simplicity! The key to their impressive flakiness and crisp texture is using high-quality frozen puff pastry sheets. This brilliant shortcut eliminates hours of work, allowing you to achieve professional-looking and tasting results with minimal effort. Another fantastic aspect of this recipe is its versatility: it can easily be halved for a smaller gathering or doubled (or even tripled!) to feed a large crowd. Once baked, these savory cheese twists hold up remarkably well, making them ideal for make-ahead entertaining or packing for a picnic.

The first step involves creating your very own homemade everything bagel seasoning. While store-bought versions are available, crafting your own ensures maximum freshness and allows for customization. This particular homemade blend combines fragrant poppy seeds, robust minced dried garlic, pungent minced dried onion, nutty sesame seeds, and my absolute favorite, Maldon sea salt. The delicate, flaky texture of Maldon salt provides a superior crunch and distributes its salty goodness perfectly across the pastry. However, if Maldon isn’t readily available, feel free to substitute it with a more traditional pretzel salt or any other good quality flaky sea salt. Just remember that not all cooking salts are created equal, so you might need to adjust the amount to your taste.

The second crucial step involves preparing the puff pastry. Once your frozen puff pastry sheet is properly thawed (following the package directions), you’ll want to gently roll it out just slightly on a lightly floured surface. This helps to smooth out any creases and ensures an even base. Next, brush the entire surface with a light egg wash – this not only helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown color but also acts as a binder for our delicious toppings. Then, generously sprinkle a layer of finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (Grana Padano is also an excellent substitute!) over the egg wash, followed by half of your homemade everything bagel seasoning. The finer the grate of cheese, the better it adheres and melts into the pastry.

After applying the cheese and seasoning, take your rolling pin and gently press them into the puff pastry sheet using a light, rolling motion. This step is vital as it helps to embed the cheese and seasoning firmly into the dough, preventing them from falling off during twisting and baking. Don’t skip this part!

Next, the fun part: simply cut the seasoned puff pastry into thin strips using a pizza cutter or a very sharp knife. Aim for strips about ¾ to 1 inch wide for ideal twisting. Take each strip and, starting from one end, twist it along its entire length. This creates those signature, charmingly irregular spirals. Arrange these twisted strips onto a parchment-paper lined baking sheet, ensuring there’s about an inch of space between each one to allow for even baking and expansion. Pop them into a preheated oven, and let the magic happen! Really, it truly is that easy.

My biggest piece of advice when working with puff pastry, whether it’s homemade or frozen, is to work quickly and efficiently. Heat is puff pastry’s arch-enemy, as it can cause the butter layers to melt prematurely, which compromises the flakiness. If you notice the dough becoming too soft or difficult to handle at any point, don’t hesitate. Simply transfer it onto a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator or even the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to chill it down. A cold dough is a happy dough, and a happy dough yields perfectly flaky results.

One of the most charming aspects of these everything bagel cheese twists is that each one comes out a little uniquely twisted, adding to their homemade appeal. They are an absolute showstopper as a party snack, a sophisticated appetizer, or a delightful addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. Imagine: portable, flaky puff pastry sticks, generously coated in savory cheese and infused with everyone’s favorite seasoning mix! It’s an instant crowd-pleaser that guests will rave about. They pair wonderfully with mimosas at brunch, make a fantastic accompaniment to a cheese board, or can simply be enjoyed on their own as a satisfying savory snack.

These twists are not just delicious; they are incredibly versatile. Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning for a bit of heat, or experimenting with different cheeses like sharp cheddar or Gruyere for alternative flavor profiles. The possibilities are endless, but the classic combination of Parmigiano-Reggiano and everything bagel seasoning truly hits all the right notes for a savory, satisfying treat. Give them a try – you won’t regret it!