These four-ingredient stuffed party twists are the ideal appetizer for your next holiday party or weekend get-together. They come out golden and flaky with layers of savory ham and cheese filling in between every flake. This old-fashioned recipe has been around for years because it looks very impressive but is extremely quick to put together.
I always like to keep these 4 ingredients stocked so I can throw together a nice looking appetizer for unexpected guests. There’s no kneading involved and there’s no chance of messing up the filling. And they’re easy to eat without a plate!
The serving tray might disappear before the main meal is served. They’re irresistible with warm cream cheese and sharp cheddar!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
When you need to feed a large group, this is a great option as it doesn’t require any special skills to prepare and it takes only a few minutes to clean up. Mix the filling in one bowl and bake the twisted pastry on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and you won’t be left with dirty dishes to contend with. The layers of delicate, crispy pastry give way to the soft filling. No need to spend all afternoon learning how to laminate your own dough.
My favorite thing about these tasty treats is that you can prepare them in advance so they’ll be ready to go when the doorbell rings during the holidays. Just roll and twist, then refrigerate until you need to bake them. The combination of melted cream cheese and sharp cheddar make them absolutely delicious. They’ll fit right in at a cookout or a fancy dinner party. And they’re very appealing to children because they don’t have any bold or overpowering flavors.
What You Need
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make stuffed party twists: puff pastry, cream cheese, ham, and cheddar cheese.
Puff Pastry
Frozen puff pastry is the perfect solution if you’d like to enjoy the delicate, flaky crust without the trouble of making your own. You should store the sheet in the refrigerator while it thaws, since it needs to be cold enough to cut and shape easily. If your kitchen is super hot and the dough becomes very sticky, place the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm the butter layers back up.
Cream Cheese
Softened cream cheese serves as the luscious, savory “glue” to hold the meat and cheese filling together while it bakes. It also melts into a thick, creamy sauce within the pastry, balancing the crunch of the crust. Feel free to use a garlic and herb cream cheese or mascarpone cheese in place of cream cheese for an interesting twist on the flavor profile.
Sharp Cheddar
Sharp cheddar cheese adds an extra punch of flavor that balances out the richness of the cream cheese and puff pastry. Always grate your own cheddar cheese from a block; pre-shredded cheese will make the filling texture slightly grainy and dry. Try using pepper jack or Gruyere cheese for a different flavor experience.
How to Make Savory Stuffed Party Twists
Take a rolling pin and a large baking sheet and prepare to put these savory, flaky twists in the oven.
Prep the Dough
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Allow the frozen puff pastry to thaw just until it is soft enough to gently unfold onto a lightly floured countertop.
Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, ham, and cheddar cheese thoroughly. You want the filling to be uniform so each bite contains an equal amount of the filling.
Fold the Pastry
Gently roll the unfrozen puff pastry with a rolling pin to smooth out any hard folds. Spread the ham and cheese filling evenly over half of the pastry dough. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges to seal.
Slice and Twist
Cut the filled dough into 18–24 twists strips with a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. Twist each strip several times, then lay each strip on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave an inch between each strip.
Bake and Serve
Bake the twists for 18 to 22 minutes, until puffy, flaky, and golden brown. Allow the twists to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm.
My Top Recipe Tips
The secret to working with puff pastry is keeping it as cold as possible during the twisting process. If the puff pastry becomes too warm and the butter begins to melt onto the counter, you will lose the flakiness when the pastry bakes. Don’t be afraid to stick the baking sheet in the refrigerator for a few minutes if the dough becomes too soft.
Just be sure not to pack your filling too heavily as you’re laying out your cream cheese spread, even though you want to use up all that delicious mixture. The cream cheese mixture is thick enough that it’ll spill out the sides of the twists if you’re too generous. Plus, that filling will burn on your baking sheet before the dough is done. A light layer of filling is more than enough for tons of flavor.
For an impressive finish, brush the tops of your finished twists with a light coating of egg wash right before you put them in the oven. It gives your twists a super shiny appearance and adds an extra bit of golden color.
Storage and Reheating
- Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the unbaked twists on a baking sheet. Then once they’re solid, move them to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Reheat leftover twists in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to bring back that lovely crunch.
Serving Suggestions
- Honey mustard sauce for dipping
- Veggie platter with ranch dressing
- Creamy tomato soup
- Holiday charcuterie board
4-Ingredient Savory Stuffed Party Twists
Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Pizza cutter
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry defrosted, still cold
- 4 oz cream cheese at room temp
- 1 cup ham diced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Defrost puff pastry so it’s cold but can be unfolded easily.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ham and cheddar cheese.
- Unfold pastry and gently roll to seal seams.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over half the pastry, then fold over the other half and press down.
- Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the filled pastry into 18 to 24 narrow strips instead of 12. For thinner, crispier twists, aim for 24 strips; for slightly wider twists, cut 18 strips.
- Twist each strip a few times, placing twists on a baking sheet.
- Bake twists for 18-22 minutes, until golden and puffed. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these twists completely vegetarian?
Yes! You can substitute the ham with finely minced and sautéed mushrooms or well-caramelized onions.
Why did my twists unroll while baking?
They’re most likely unrolling because the pastry is too warm and pliable when you’re twisting them, or because they’re not sealed well at the ends. Make sure you’re pressing the ends of the twists down onto the baking sheet to secure the shape.
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