These savory and fun Gluten-Free Parmesan Cheese Straws are quick and easy to make with just four ingredients in under 20 minutes.
Flavorful twists of sharp parmesan with rich olive oil and a sprinkle of warm, Italian oregano, twirled with crispy gluten-free puff pastry are perfect for everything from an elegant dinner party to a casual appetizer spread.
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4 Ingredients
Gluten-Free Puff Pastry
To create these Puff Pastry Parmesan Twists, I used Sweet Loren's Gluten Free Puff Pastry, which is easy to find in stores. The dough is very flexible and easy to twist, making it a great choice for this recipe.
If you are using Schar Gluten-Free Puff Pastry, I recommend following these instructions for a rough puff pastry roll-out of the dough before starting the recipe. It will make the dough less vulnerable to breaking while maintaining wonderful layers of puff pastry in your finished cheese straws.
Basic Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Dried Oregano
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Shred your own parmesan or buy pre-shredded.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes with the oregano, if you want to add a slight kick.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425℉. If your puff pastry package indicates a different oven temperature, follow the instructions on the package. Sweet Loren's is 425℉ and Schar's is 400℉, for example.
I highly recommend you do all of the prep work on top of a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (usually included with the puff pastry sheet) or a silicone baking mat. This will avoid having to transfer delicate parmesan twists after they are assembled and help with easy cleanup.
Gently roll open the dough and place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the dough with olive oil.
Sprinkle the dough with oregano and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Press the parmesan gently into the dough with your fingertips.
Using a sharp knife, cut the puff pastry crosswise into 12 strips, each about 1 inch wide.
Sometimes, I prefer to make 12 shorter twists instead of 6 longer ones. The smaller gluten-free cheese straws allow guests to eat just a little or several, as they wish. This is ideal for game day events, New Year's Eve parties, or gatherings where you are serving a variety of appetizers. To create 12 shorter twists, you'll need 24 strips, so cut the dough in half lengthwise before proceeding.
Stack one strip on top of another, with the parmesan sides facing each other like a sandwich. Because the dough tends to stick to the work surface, I find it helpful to slowly lift the long edge of the strip and roll it on top of the adjacent strip. Then, before twisting, I carefully lift them just slightly off of the work surface, to make sure the bottom strip isn't sticking.
Twist the strips together. Because the dough is delicate, I find it easier to start by using both hands to twist one end about halfway first, and then twist the opposite end until fully twisted.
Repeat until you have 6 twists (or 12, if you made short strips).
Sprinkle with remaining shredded parmesan. You can optionally brush the outside with water to avoid some of the parmesan falling off. It does not have to be perfect, though, just a little on the outside for a fabulous browned-cheese finish.
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, so the dough chills back up and is ready to do its puff pastry magic in the oven.
Bake for about 14 minutes, or until the dough is golden and puffy.
Enjoy! You can serve Gluten-Free Parmesan Cheese Straws warm or after they have cooled and crisped a bit.
Serve as a side of bread with dinner, as a snack with marinara for dipping, or as part of a beautiful gluten-free charcuterie board.
Prep Ahead
Puff Pastry is best enjoyed the same day you bake it. This recipe is so quick and easy, but if you are busy prepping for a big party, you can still simplify your day and prep ahead.
Assemble the twists the day before. Store in your refrigerator overnight and bake the next day.
More Gluten-Free Puff Pastry Recipes
- Gluten-Free Puff Pastry Bundles: Prosciutto, Goat Cheese, Honey
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pull-Apart Puff Pastry
- Gluten-Free Apple Roses in Puff Pastry
Get helpful tips in my Guide to Gluten-Free Puff Pastry Dough.
Gluten-Free Parmesan Cheese Straws
Ingredients
- 1 sheet gluten-free puff pastry I used Sweet Loren's Gluten Free Puff Pastry
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (+ 1 tablespoon for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉ (or the oven temperature indicated on your puff pastry package).
- Place the included parchment paper and dough on a baking sheet. Carefully roll open the dough.
- Brush dough with a thin layer of olive oil. Sprinkle with oregano and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Gently use your fingers to push the parmesan cheese into the dough.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the puff pastry dough crosswise into 12 strips, approximately 1-inch wide each. (Then, if you wish to create 12 shorter twists, rather than 6 long twists, cut the dough in half lengthwise.)
- Place one strip on top of another strip, with the parmesan cheese from both strips in the center, like a sandwich. Twist together. Repeat until you have 6 twists. Sprinkle with remaining shredded parmesan. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Bake for approximately 14 minutes until the dough is golden and puffy.
