I’ve always considered pesto, cheese and pastry to be a heavenly combination and these puff pastry twists have only confirmed my view. These are a great snack, appetiser or lunch box filler that kids are sure to devour.
Puff pastry is so versatile. I find it such a useful ingredient to have in the fridge for making a quick tea for the kids, after school snacks and lunch box fillers. It's a great vehicle for getting veggies into reluctant kids as well - check out my recipes below to see how.
You can use puff pastry to make savoury appetisers and sweet treats - there are so many possibilities. However, I tend to use it for savoury recipes as to be honest, my kids have no problem eating sweet stuff.
Puff pastry cheese straws and pizza swirls with hidden vegetable sauce both appear fairly regularly in my kids lunchboxes and are always popular.
More vegetarian puff pastry recipes
- Easy puff pastry pizza
- Vegetarian sausage rolls
- Really easy pizza pinwheels
- Apple and mincemeat swirls
- Puff pastry cheese straws with butternut squash
- Easy spinach puff pastry palmiers
- Red lentil and sweet potato pizza swirls
- Beetroot and goats cheese palmiers
- Vegan puff pastry tart
Some of these recipes appear on my vegan food blog, Cook Veggielicious.
Can these pesto and cheese twists be made vegan?
Yes, in fact the ones in the photos are totally suitable for vegans. I made my own kale pesto for these, using nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
Most brands of ready made puff pastry are suitable for vegans - but always check the label - and I used grated Violife vegan cheese.
Pin pesto and cheese puff pastry twists for later
If you like this you might like this broccoli pesto pasta with green beans and new potatoes or this sun-dried tomato pesto pasta.
How to make pesto and cheese puff pastry twists
These puff pastry twists are very simple to make - all you need to do is spread over the pesto, sprinkle some grated cheese, cut into strips and twist before baking in a hot oven.
I used homemade kale pesto to make my puff pastry twists.
Pesto and cheese puff pastry twists
Ingredients
- 320 g sheet of ready rolled puff pastry
- 4 tbsp pesto - I used homemade kale pesto but ready made works well too.
- 50 g grated cheddar cheese or vegan alternative
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper (or use the paper that the pastry is wrapped in).
- Unroll the pastry. Spread the pesto over the pastry.
- Sprinkle over the grated cheddar.
- Cut into 10-12 strips and twist each one several times. If the cheese falls out push it back in.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
- These are delicious warm or allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Check out my healthy lunch box ideas
Did you know I have a vegan food blog as well, Cook Veggielicious?
KAye Joyce
Can they be frozen?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Kaye, yes you can freeze them but they do go a bit soft when defrosted so I recommend that you heat them in the oven for five minutes after defrosting.
Daydreams of a Mum
Oooo my pesto loving son was looking for new lunch ideas I may be a very lovely mum and make him some. Congratulations! Someone loved this post so much they added it to our #blogcrush linky
Mandy Mazliah
Ah thanks so much - that's amazing!
Debbie
These are a great snack idea. I find it so hard to think of quick and easy snacks for the kids to eat. #BlogCrush
Mandy Mazliah
Hope they enjoy them Debbie
Tracy Albiero
How fancy but simple! I will give these a try! #blogcrush
Mandy Mazliah
Hope you enjoy them Tracy!
Rebecca Smith
This is my kind of delicious snack, I miss out on so many savoury snacks and with a couple of tweaks these are easy to make both gluten and dairy free. I will certainly be making these
Mandy Mazliah
Hope you enjoy them Rebecca x
Jennifer
Please can you share your gluten free modifications...?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Jennifer, I think Rebecca would make these with gluten free puff pastry
Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog
These look yummy and so quick and easy. I think they'd be a great addition to a picnic.
Mandy Mazliah
You're absolutely right Anna - they really would be!