Description
These Super Bowl Jalapeño Popper Puff Pastry Twists are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer combining spicy jalapeños, creamy cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and flaky puff pastry. Crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor, they are ideal for game day celebrations and easy to prepare with store-bought puff pastry.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 sheet thawed store-bought puff pastry (about 12x9 inches)
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, finely chopped (seeds removed to reduce heat if desired)
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Finely chop the fresh jalapeños, removing seeds if you want less heat. In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped jalapeños, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Roll Out the Puff Pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the thawed puff pastry sheet into a 12×9-inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over half of the rectangle. Fold the other half over the filling and gently press the edges to seal.
- Cut and Twist: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the filled pastry into 1-inch wide strips. Take each strip and twist several times to form spirals. This twisting helps the pastry layers become crispy and cheese-packed.
- Brush and Bake: Place the twists on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each twist with the egg wash to create a glossy, golden finish. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the twists cool for a few minutes so the cheese sets and the pastry firms up. Serve warm for best flavor and handleability.
Notes
- Use high-quality puff pastry for best flavor and flakiness.
- Refrigerate formed twists for 10 minutes before baking to prevent shrinking.
- Adjust the jalapeño amount and remove seeds to control the spice level.
- Keep pastry strips uniform in width for even baking.
- Watch the oven carefully to avoid overbaking or underbaking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Unbaked twists freeze well for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen with added cooking time.
- Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese and cheddar with plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg or water for egg wash.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 twists
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: jalapeño poppers, puff pastry twists, Super Bowl appetizer, spicy snack, cream cheese twists, game day recipe, cheesy appetizer
