Pesto Goat Cheese Puff Twists (Print)

Flaky pastry twists layered with basil pesto and goat cheese, baked until golden and irresistible.

# Components:

→ Pastry

01 - 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen (approximately 250 grams)

→ Filling

02 - 3 tablespoons basil pesto
03 - 100 grams (3.5 oz) soft goat cheese, crumbled
04 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

→ Finishing

05 - 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to smooth and slightly enlarge it.
03 - Spread the basil pesto evenly across the entire surface of the puff pastry.
04 - Crumble the goat cheese evenly over the pesto layer.
05 - Fold the pastry sheet in half lengthwise. Press gently to seal the edges.
06 - Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the folded pastry into 12 equal strips.
07 - Twist each pastry strip several times. Place the twisted strips onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart.
08 - Lightly brush the twists with the beaten egg. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
09 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until the twists are golden brown and puffed.
10 - Allow the twists to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • Ready in just over 30 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses store bought puff pastry for maximum convenience with gourmet results
  • Perfect make ahead appetizer that can be frozen before baking
02 -
  • Can be prepared several hours in advance and baked just before serving
  • Each twist contains approximately 155 calories making them a reasonable indulgence
  • The recipe doubles easily for larger gatherings without any adjustments to technique
03 -
  • Always keep puff pastry cold until the last possible moment for maximum flakiness. The butter layers need to be solid when they hit the hot oven to create that perfect puff.
  • When selecting goat cheese opt for a variety that crumbles rather than one that spreads to prevent the filling from becoming too runny.
  • Finally dont be tempted to overfill the twists as excess filling will simply leak out during baking and potentially prevent proper rising.

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