Let’s make this super simple Easy Cheese Twist Recipe with Hot Honey.
Does anything compare to the smell of warm, bubbly cheese baking in your kitchen?
Possibly, yes. But I’m committed to the love story between cheese and pastry. If you’re familiar with my Instagram page, you’ll know why!
If you’re looking for the best cheese twists recipe to elevate your snacking game (and hosting), you’re in the perfect place.
These twists pack an incredible punch with a sharp, three-cheese blend, a kick of red chilli, earthy nigella seeds, and a gorgeous, sticky drizzle of hot honey right at the end.
Whether you call them cheese straws, cheese fingers, or pastry twists, this classic cheese twists recipe UK favourite is about to become your new go-to for parties, game nights, or just a cosy weekend treat.
They remind me so much of childhood parties and Christmas with the family. Not only are they easy to make for a crowd, they’re also usually the first thing to disappear at the buffet table.
My Cheese Twist Recipe with Hot Honey is quick and elegant enough to serve to guests with drinks, but speedy enough to whip up on a rainy afternoon.
Why this Cheese Twists recipe works
While you can find plenty of great standard options online — like a classic cheese twists recipe BBC Good Food style, this version adds a fun sweet-and-spicy upgrade.
What cheese to use for Cheese Twists (Cheese Straws)?
I use a blend of mature Cheddar (for flavour), colourful Red Leicester (for that beautiful golden look), and smooth Gouda (for the perfect melt).
Sometimes I simply use up the remnants of the cheese drawer in the fridge. It’s a really forgiving cheese twists recipe and you can use practically any cheese scraps to make them!
Mozzarella is a fun addition for mega social media-worthy cheese pulls, but pair it with something sharp and tangy like pecorino or vintage Cheddar to give your twists some oomph.
How long does it take to make Cheese Twists
This simple cheese twists recipe that takes less than 15 minutes of hands-on preparation. After this, bake them in a hot oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, light, flaky and crispy.
Your total time is 40 minutes tops and you can do the minimal amount of washing up and make a cuppa tea in the time they take to bake.
By using a few clever store-cupboard shortcuts, you get bakery-quality results without spending hours in the kitchen.
For my Cheese Twists recipe, you don’t even need an eggwash. Milk will do!
Tips and tricks for perfect Cheese Twists
To make sure your pastry comes out of the oven looking absolutely picture-perfect, keep these professional baking tips in mind:
- Keep the pastry cold: Puff pastry relies on cold layers of butter to rise. Work quickly once it comes out of the fridge. If the pastry gets too warm or soft while you are shaping it, it becomes sticky and difficult to handle. If this happens, just pop the whole tray into the fridge for 10 minutes before baking. I didn’t help that I made mine on the hottest day of the year! Oops.
- Finely chop your ingredients: Make sure the red chili and coriander are chopped as finely as possible. Large chunks will create pockets of steam that can burst open, making the pastry tear when you try to twist it.
- Use a pizza cutter: A rolling pizza cutter is the absolute best tool for slicing pastry strips clean through without dragging or tearing the dough. If not, a large, sharp knife does the job, too.
- Press down firmly: When placing the top sheet of pastry over the cheese, give it a firm press all over. This locks the cheese filling into place so it stays inside the twist rather than spilling all over the baking tray.
Frequently asked questions and customisations
Can I use different types of pastry?
I designed this as a quick cheese twists recipe with ready made pastry to keep things as effortless as possible. A traditional cheese twists recipe puff pastry approach gives you those signature flaky, light, and airy layers that contrast beautifully with the melted cheese.
However, if you prefer a denser, more biscuit-like crunch that holds its shape incredibly well, you can easily swap this out for a cheese twists recipe shortcrust pastry version instead. If you use shortcrust, keep an eye on the oven, as it may bake a few minutes faster.
Can I make this without puff pastry?
If you happen to run out of pre-made dough or want a completely different style from scratch, you can look for a cheese twist recipe without puff pastry. These alternative versions usually involve making a quick, savoury dough by rubbing flour, butter, and baking powder together with milk, or even using a leftover ball of pizza dough rolled out thinly.
Fun alternative add-ins for Cheese Twists
The beauty of this recipe is how customisable it is. If you want to change up the flavours, try one of these delicious combinations:
- Italian twist: Swap the chilli and coriander for a spoonful of green pesto and a handful of grated pecorino.
- Smoky BBQ: Use smoked cheddar instead of Gouda, and add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to the cheese mixture before folding.
- Indian masala: Check out my recipe for Indian cheese twists here!
- French herb: Use Gruyère or Comté cheese paired with fresh thyme leaves.
Storing, prepping, and freezing your Cheese Twists with Hot Honey
- Prep ahead: You can assemble and shape the twists up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them tightly covered with cling film in the fridge on your lined baking tray, then bake directly from cold (just add an extra minute or two to the timer). Hold off on the milk wash and honey until right before they go into the oven.
- Freezing (unbaked): Shape the twists completely, freeze them flat on a baking tray until completely solid, and then transfer them into a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen at 200°C fan for 25 to 30 minutes, brushing with milk just before they go into the oven.
- Leftovers and reheating: Store any baked leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days. Because of the honey drizzle, they may soften slightly as they sit. To make them perfectly crispy again, pop them in a preheated oven or an air fryer at 180°C for 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave, or the pastry will go soggy!
Recipe card for my Easy Cheese Twist Recipe with Hot Honey | How to make Cheese Twists (Cheese Straws)
Easy Cheese Twist Recipe with Hot Honey
Learn how to make this easy cheese twist recipe with a sweet and spicy twist. Flaky puff pastry packed with chilli cheese and finished with a honey drizzle!
Ingredients
- 120g mixed cheeses of your choice (I used equal parts Cheddar, Red Leicester and Gouda)
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander
- 1 red chilli, finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp nigella seeds
- 320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry, cold from the fridge
- 2 tbsp whole milk, for brushing on top
- 1 tbsp hot honey, for drizzling (or swap for regular honey)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C fan and line a large baking tray with baking paper. In a small bowl, mix the grated cheeses, chopped red chilli, coriander, and nigella seeds together.
- Unroll the cold puff pastry sheet and cut it completely in half vertically. Evenly sprinkle the cheese and chilli mixture over the top of one half.
- Place the second pastry half directly over the cheese-covered half. Gently press down along the edges to seal the two sheets together.
- Slice the pastry evenly into 9 strips from the short side.
- Take each strip and gently twist from both ends for 2 to 3 turns to create the twist shape. Arrange them on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space around each one.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the twists lightly with the whole milk. If you have any extra cheese on hand, you can grate a little more over the top now for an extra crispy finish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the twists are puffed up, crisp, and beautifully golden.
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle the warm twists with the honey. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 401mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g
If you like these, you’ll love my recipe for Indian Cheese Twists
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