Crispy Cheesy Twists Recipe

Irresistibly Flaky Homemade Cheesy Twists Recipe

Warm, golden-brown cheesy twists dance with irresistible flavors that make snack time extraordinary.

These delectable cheese twists bring comfort straight from your kitchen.

Every crispy, buttery strand promises a delightful crunch that melts in your mouth.

Crafted with simple ingredients and a touch of love, this homemade recipe turns ordinary pastry into something spectacular.

The aroma of melted cheese and flaky dough will draw everyone to the kitchen.

Baking these twists is easier than you might expect, with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Get ready to savor a snack that beats any store-bought treat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 9

What You’ll Use for Homemade Cheesy Twists

For Dough Base:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation that helps create tender texture and enhances overall flavor.
  • Salt: Balances and amplifies the savory notes in the cheese twists.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, aromatic depth to the dough's flavor profile.
  • Flour: Creates structure and helps bind ingredients together smoothly.
  • Cornmeal: Introduces delightful crunch and rustic texture to the cheese twists.
  • Shredded Cheese: Infuses intense cheesy flavor throughout the entire pastry.
For Coating Mixture:
  • Cheese Powders: Delivers concentrated, bold cheese essence that coats each twist.
  • Buttermilk Powder: Contributes tangy undertone and helps create a clinging coating.
  • Cornstarch: Ensures even distribution of coating and prevents clumping.
  • Salt: Heightens the seasoning and balances the powdery coating.
For Optional Finishing:
  • Parchment Paper/Silpat Liners: Provides non-stick surface for even baking and easy cleanup.

Get These Tools for Homemade Cheesy Twists

  • Stand mixer: Essential for mixing dough with paddle attachment smoothly.
  • Paddle attachment: Crucial for blending butter, salt, and garlic powder effectively.
  • Plastic wrap: Needed to wrap and refrigerate dough.
  • Baking sheets: Required for baking cheese twists.
  • Parchment paper or Silpat liners: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Wire rack: Perfect for cooling baked cheese twists.
  • Spice grinder or mini food processor: Used to blend coating ingredients finely.
  • Large zip-top bag: Great for evenly coating cheese curls with powder mixture.
  • Rolling surface: Helps shape dough logs between palms.

Homemade Cheesy Twists Instructions You’ll Follow

  • Cheese Blend Basics

Gather your kitchen tools and prepare to create a savory snack that will make taste buds dance. You’ll mix butter with zesty seasonings to form a delightful dough that promises crispy, cheesy goodness.

  • Dough Preparation

Combine ingredients in a mixer, blending until a smooth, cohesive mixture forms. The key is creating a consistency that’s firm yet pliable, promising a perfect texture for your twisty treats.

  • Chill and Rest

Wrap the dough in plastic and let it relax in the refrigerator. This cooling period helps develop rich flavors and ensures your twists will have the perfect structure.

  • Twist Creation

Roll small portions of chilled dough into rustic, imperfect logs. Embrace the handmade look – each twist tells a delicious story of homemade craftsmanship.

  • Baking Magic

Place twists on baking sheets and transform them in a warm oven. Watch as they turn golden and develop a delicate crunch that hints at the cheesy delights to come.

  • Flavor Explosion

Once cooled, coat your twists in a magical powder blend that amplifies the cheesy flavor. Gently tumble the twists to ensure every inch is covered in deliciousness.

  • Enjoy and Share

Serve these irresistible cheese twists at gatherings or savor them as a personal snack. Each bite promises a burst of flavor that celebrates homemade creativity.

Tips That Elevate Homemade Cheesy Twists

  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, or dried herbs to the dough for an extra kick of flavor that transforms these simple snacks into gourmet treats.
  • Keep the cheese curls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum crunchiness by adding a small piece of bread to absorb moisture.
  • Swap wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and almond flour to make these cheese twists suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Use a fine-mesh sieve to dust the cheese powder over the curls for a more even and lighter coating that sticks perfectly to every delicious twist.

Stylish Serving for Homemade Cheesy Twists

  • Serve as Party Snack: These cheesy twists are perfect for game nights, movie marathons, or casual gatherings with friends. Their crunchy texture and bold flavor make them an irresistible crowd-pleaser.
  • Create Appetizer Platter: Arrange the twists alongside fresh vegetable sticks, dips like ranch or spinach artichoke, and soft cheeses for a delightful appetizer spread that will impress guests.
  • Pack for Lunch Companion: Tuck these twists into lunchboxes or picnic baskets for a satisfying midday treat. They're sturdy enough to travel and provide a delicious cheesy crunch between meals.
  • Gift in Cute Packaging: Package the cooled twists in mason jars or decorative bags tied with ribbon for a homemade food gift that shows thoughtfulness and culinary creativity.

Homemade Cheesy Twists Storage Suggestions

  • Refrigerate Dough Wisely: Store unbaked dough in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it tightly wrapped to prevent drying out.
  • Freeze for Future Snacking: Prepare dough logs and freeze them in a sealed freezer bag for 2-3 months, ready to bake directly from frozen state without thawing.
  • Keep Crispy and Fresh: Store completely cooled cheese twists in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, maintaining their crunchy texture and delicious flavor.
  • Revive Staleness Quickly: Refresh slightly stale twists by warming them in the oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes, restoring their original crispness and warmth.
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Crispy Cheesy Twists Recipe

Crispy Cheesy Twists Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Cheesy twists emerge as a delightful snack with golden, crispy edges and a rich parmesan core. Mediterranean herbs and sharp cheddar blend perfectly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 oz (113 g) Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded
  • 1 cup (4 ¼ oz / 120 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 4 tbsps (2 oz / 57 g) chilled unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 ½ tbsps Cheddar Cheese powder (preferably King Arthur Vermont White Cheddar Powder)
  • ½ tbsp Penzeys Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle
  • ½ tsp buttermilk powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tsps yellow cornmeal

Instructions

  1. Butter Fusion: Cream unsalted butter with salt and garlic powder using a stand mixer’s paddle attachment until smooth and thoroughly blended.
  2. Dough Formation: Fold in flour, cornmeal, and shredded cheese on low speed, transforming the mixture into a cohesive, firm dough. Shape into a compact disc, encase in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for one hour to enhance flavor melding and structural integrity.
  3. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Extract chilled dough and craft rustic, uneven logs by pinching and rolling small portions between palms.
  4. Baking Process: Arrange dough logs on prepared sheets with ample spacing. Roast for 12-15 minutes until edges achieve a golden-brown hue and surface loses its glossy sheen.
  5. Cooling and Coating: Transfer twists to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling at room temperature. Pulverize cheese powders, buttermilk powder, salt, and cornstarch in a spice grinder until uniformly blended.
  6. Final Transformation: Enclose cooled cheese twists in a large zip-top bag, introduce the prepared coating mixture, seal, and gently agitate to ensure comprehensive and even coverage.

Notes

  • Chill for Success: Refrigerating the dough for 60 minutes allows ingredients to meld, enhancing flavor and creating a firmer texture for easier shaping.
  • Rustic Shaping Technique: Roll dough logs by hand for uneven, artisanal-style twists that give a homemade, authentic appearance and texture.
  • Golden Brown Indicator: Watch for edges turning golden and surface losing its glossy sheen – this signals perfect baking and optimal crispness.
  • Coating Pro Tip: Use a sealed zip-top bag for even powder distribution, ensuring each twist gets maximum flavor coverage without mess.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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