Here’s my go-to recipe for puff pastry garlic twists, made with store-bought pastry (no shame in that!), fresh garlic, herbs, and a good sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
These twists have become my favorite thing to bring to parties and potlucks. I always make a double batch because they disappear so quickly – and let’s be honest, snacking on a few while they’re still warm from the oven is one of life’s simple pleasures!
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Twists
- 4-ingredient recipe – With just puff pastry, butter, garlic seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, you can create these tasty treats without a complicated shopping list.
- Perfect party food – These twists are great for entertaining – they’re easy to pick up, fun to share, and always disappear quickly at gatherings.
- No special skills needed – If you can twist dough, you can make these! The store-bought puff pastry does all the heavy lifting, making this recipe foolproof for beginners.
- Customizable flavors – While the garlic-parmesan combo is a classic, you can easily switch up the seasonings to create your own favorite variations.
What Kind of Puff Pastry Should I Use?
For these garlic twists, you can use either store-bought or homemade puff pastry – though let’s be honest, most of us reach for the convenient frozen option at the supermarket. The most common brands like Pepperidge Farm or Dufour will both work great here, just make sure to fully defrost your pastry in the fridge overnight. All-butter puff pastry will give you the best flavor and flakiest results, but the standard versions made with shortening are perfectly fine too and usually more budget-friendly. Just remember to handle the pastry gently and keep it cold while working with it – warm pastry can get sticky and won’t puff up as nicely when baked.
Options for Substitutions
Let’s talk about what you can swap in this recipe if needed:
- Puff pastry: This is the star ingredient that can’t really be substituted – you need real puff pastry for those flaky, airy twists. However, you can use homemade or store-bought, and either butter-based or shortening-based will work.
- Butter: You can replace butter with margarine or dairy-free butter alternatives. Olive oil can work too, but mix it with some herbs first to help it stick to the pastry better.
- Garlic seasoning mix: No garlic seasoning mix? Make your own by combining 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, and a pinch each of salt and onion powder. Fresh minced garlic works too – just use 4-5 cloves mixed with the butter.
- Parmesan cheese: Feel free to swap Parmesan with other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano, aged Asiago, or Grana Padano. For a different flavor, try sharp cheddar or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The success of puff pastry twists largely depends on temperature control – working with overly warm dough will make it sticky and impossible to twist, while too cold pastry will crack and break when you try to shape it. For best results, let your pastry thaw in the fridge overnight and work with it when it’s just pliable but still cool to the touch. Another common mistake is not giving the twists enough space on the baking sheet, as puff pastry lives up to its name by expanding significantly during baking – leave at least 2 inches between each twist. To ensure even golden-brown baking, avoid applying too much butter mixture, which can make the twists greasy and prevent proper puffing, and remember to chill the shaped twists for 15-20 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape better.
What to Serve With Garlic Twists?
These flaky garlic twists are perfect for serving alongside your favorite Italian dishes! They’re great for scooping up extra sauce from a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs or a plate of chicken parmesan. I love setting them out as appetizers with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping – it’s always a crowd favorite at parties. If you’re serving them with soup or stew, these twists make an excellent alternative to regular bread, and they’re especially good with tomato-based dishes since the garlic and parmesan flavors complement them so well.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These garlic twists are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but if you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’ll stay nice and crispy this way, though they might lose a bit of their initial crunch.
Make Ahead: You can prep these twists ahead of time! Shape them and place them on a baking sheet, then pop them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just remember to bring them to room temperature for about 15 minutes before putting them in the oven.
Refresh: To bring back that fresh-baked taste, warm the twists in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes. This will help restore some of their original crispiness – just keep an eye on them so they don’t brown too much!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 35-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 50-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 900-1000
- Protein: 15-20 g
- Fat: 60-70 g
- Carbohydrates: 70-80 g
Ingredients
- 40g shredded Parmesan cheese (finely shredded for even distribution)
- 2 tbsp garlic seasoning (such as garlic powder, salt, and herbs blend)
- 3 sheets puff pastry (thawed, I like Pepperidge Farm brand)
- 60g softened butter (room temperature for easy spreading)
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Tray and Puff Pastry
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) and line a large tray with a baking mat, ensuring it’s ready for the pastry twists.
Lay out the first sheet of puff pastry on a clean surface.
Brush it liberally with melted butter to give the twists a rich flavor.
Step 2: Layer and Season the Pastry Sheets
Sprinkle half of the spice mixture evenly over the buttered pastry sheet, followed by half of the Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Take the second sheet of puff pastry, brush one side with butter, and place it buttered side down on top of the first sheet.
Brush the top of the second sheet with more butter, then sprinkle the remaining spices and Parmesan over it.
Step 3: Add the Third Sheet and Roll
Butter one side of the third pastry sheet and lay it on top of the existing layers.
Lightly use a rolling pin to compress and combine the layers; be gentle to ensure you only reduce the height by 1mm or less.
This step will help integrate the flavors across all layers.
Step 4: Cut and Twist the Pastry
Cut the layered pastry in half lengthwise for easier handling, then cut into 1cm-wide strips crosswise.
Carefully twist each strip into a corkscrew shape and place it onto the prepared baking tray, making sure to leave a small gap between each twist for even baking.
Step 5: Bake and Finish the Twists
Bake the twists in the preheated oven at 200°C for 20 minutes.
After the initial baking time, rotate the tray for even cooking and return it to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the twists are evenly golden brown through all layers.
If the tops are browning too quickly, reduce the temperature to 180°C (356°F).
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the twists to cool slightly after removing them from the oven to help them set and become crisp.
Serve them on their own or paired with your favorite dip or condiment.
Enjoy the savory flavors and flaky texture of these delightful pastry twists!
