These savory puff pastry cheese straws are the perfect quick appetizer that's always a crowd pleaser! The savory cheese twists are layered with briny olive tapenade and grated Parmesan cheese and baked until crisp and perfectly golden brown.
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About This Recipe
If you're searching for a quick and easy appetizer that everyone will adore, you'll love this savory puff pastry treat! For another quick impressive appetizer try my Pan Con Tomate with Jamón or my Caramelized Onion Dip.
These puff pastry cheese straws are filled with the rich flavors of olive tapenade and generously coated with grated Parmesan cheese. The combination of flaky pastry, briny olive, and savory Parmesan creates a mouthwatering treat that's perfect to serve alongside an Italian cheese board or to dip into cool tzatziki.
📋 Ingredients
- Puff Pastry: Frozen puff pastry is a freezer staple. Thaw the pastry overnight in the refrigerator or leave on the counter for a half hour.
- Tapenade: Look for a good quality imported olive tapenade for the best flavor or try something a bit different and make your own artichoke tapenade.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese pairs well with the olive tapenade. You can also use pecorino cheese or Gruyere.
- Fresh Thyme: Remove the leaves from the stems and crush the leaves with your fingers or give the leaves a rough chop with a knife before garnishing the pastry straws.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🍋 Substitutions and Variations
- Different Cheeses: Instead of Parmesan cheese, substitute or combine Pecorino cheese or grated Gruyere.
- Use Different Herbs: Instead of fresh thyme, use fresh oregano or finely chopped fresh rosemary. If fresh herbs aren't available, use up to 1 teaspoon of dried thyme or dried oregano.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to either the tapenade layer or garnish for an added kick
⏲️ Instructions
Step 1. Roll out the puff pastry slightly and spread a layer of tapenade onto half of the pastry.
Step 2. Add grated Parmesan cheese right on top of the tapenade layer.
Step 3. Fold the pastry over and seal the edges. Gently press down so everything sticks.
Step 4. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut long strips into the pastry. It doesn't have to be perfect.
Step 5. Twist each pastry strip into a long spiral straw.
Step 6. Place the twists onto a lined baking sheet and brush egg wash onto each puff pastry twist.
Step 7. Garnish the puff pastry twists with another grating of Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme leaves.
Step 8. Bake the cheese straws at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-22 minutes until golden brown.
📍 Recipe Tips
- Look for puff pastry made with butter for the bst flavor.
- Keep the puff pastry chilled until ready to use. Once thawed, don't leave it at room temperature to warm up too much.
- To make ahead, follow instructions up until right before baking and freeze the pastry twists until ready to bake. Or once baked, let cool completely and keep in an air tight container or resealable bag. Then reheat the pastry straws in the oven until warmed through before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Arrange the raw cheese straws on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready. bake directly from frozen until golden brown.
Store the puff pastry straws in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to two days. To re-crisp, warm the straws in the oven until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Add a batch of savory puff pastry boards to a simple cheese platter or Italian charcuterie board.
Instead of bread, dip the savory twists into a bowl of vegetarian pasta fagioli or creamy potato leek soup.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Savory Puff Pastry Cheese Straws with Tapenade
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- Flour for dusting
- ½ cup olive tapenade
- ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese + more for garnish
- Egg for egg wash
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme leaves removed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry slightly.
- Spread a layer of the olive tapenade onto half of the puff y and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Fold the other half of the pastry over the tapenade and gently press down to flatten. Use your fingers to seal the edges around the pastry.
- Next, use a knife or pizza cutter and cut 1 inch long strips into the pastry. Then take each strip and twist, making a long straw, then transfer to a lined baking sheet.
- Whisk the egg with a splash of water, making an egg wash. Brush each puff pastry twist with egg wash and garnish with fresh thyme and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the puff pastry straws for 20-22 min until the straws are golden brown and crisp.
- Once done, let the pastry straws cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Look for puff pastry made with butter for the bst flavor.
- Keep the puff pastry chilled until ready to use. Once thawed, don't leave it at room temperature to warm up too much.
- To make ahead, follow instructions up until right before baking and freeze the pastry twists until ready to bake. Or once baked, let cool completely and keep in an air tight container or resealable bag. Then reheat the pastry straws in the oven until warmed through before serving.
Blake says
Super easy and kinda empressive
Luv2cook says
Such an easy recipe. This is so savory and delish. We might try this and make a sweet version.