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What could be a better appetizer than salty, crunchy cheesy Parmesan twists? Pair them with a bottle of Chardonnay and the party is off to a great start.
The weather has finally cooled off here in Fort Worth, and the holidays are almost here! I know many of you will be entertaining this holiday season, so I wanted to share one of my favorite make-ahead party appetizers/wine pairings: cheesy Parmesan twists.
The recipe for these twists was originally inspired by a trip we took to Sonoma, where many of the wineries pair bread sticks with their wines. The cheesy, salty sticks really do go perfectly with Chardonnay, so I wanted to recreate those flavors at home! 
The recipe for these bread twists is easy to make: we’re simply brushing puff pastry dough with an egg wash and sprinkling with Parmesan, then baking.
Since the twists are served at room temperature, my suggestion is to make them ahead of time so that they’re ready to go when your guests arrive. Over the years, I’ve learned it’s so much better to have your food prepped and cooked before company shows up; that way, you’re not stuck in the kitchen after the party has started!
We’re pairing our bread twists with two different Sonoma-Cutrer wines that I’d highly recommend: the Cutrer Chardonnay and the Les Pierres Chardonnay.
The Cutrer is a bright, vibrant vintage that’s creamy, rich and has a flavorful finish. The Les Pierres Chardonnay is bright and lively, with citrus aromas of lemon and flavors of grapefruit and lime. You can read more about each of these at www.sonomacutrer.com and order a bottle of your own! Wine can be ordered easily and delivered directly to you from the Sonoma-Cutrer website.
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Cheesy Parmesan Twists
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes 12 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Salty, crunchy, and cheesy, these Parmesan twists are the perfect appetizer. Pair with Chardonnay for a festive start.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet (1 sheet) frozen puff pastry
- 1 cups (237 ml) grated Parmesan
- 1 (1) egg
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water to create an egg wash.
- Cut the puff pastry into 1/2-inch wide strips.
- Brush each puff pastry strip with egg wash.
- Sprinkle liberally with Parmesan cheese.
- Twist each puff pastry strip into spirals.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry is completely thawed before cutting to prevent tearing.
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated.
- Store cooled twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 twist
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 15
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cheese should I use for the Parmesan twists?
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture; pre-grated cheese may not melt as nicely.
How do I achieve a good golden color on the twists?
Brushing the puff pastry with an egg wash before baking will help achieve a nice golden color and a shiny finish.
Can I use a different type of pastry instead of puff pastry?
While puff pastry is recommended for its flaky texture, you can experiment with other types of pastry, but the results may vary in crunchiness and taste.
