Jalapeño Popper Twists (Printable Copy)

Golden flaky pastry twisted around creamy jalapeño cheese filling. Zesty, satisfying, and ready in 30 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Filling

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup sliced jalapeños, fresh or pickled
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Pastry

05 - 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
06 - 1 large egg, for egg wash

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeños, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and well blended.
03 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 8 strips, each 2 inches wide.
04 - Spoon a line of filling onto one half of each pastry strip. Fold each strip over the filling lengthwise, pressing gently to seal edges.
05 - Carefully twist each filled strip several times to create a spiral. Place on prepared baking sheet.
06 - Beat the egg and brush tops of twists with egg wash for glossy finish.
07 - Bake for 15–20 minutes until pastry is golden brown and crisp.
08 - Let cool slightly. Serve warm for best flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The puff pastry gets impossibly golden and crisp while keeping the filling molten hot
  • You can prep everything ahead and bake them right when guests arrive
  • They look fancy but come together in under 30 minutes
02 -
  • Overfilling the pastry causes messy leaks during baking
  • Twisting too tightly can tear the delicate pastry dough
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent a lumpy filling
03 -
  • Chill the filled twists for 15 minutes before twisting to help them hold their shape
  • Use a pizza cutter for the cleanest pastry strips
  • Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before baking for extra flavor
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