To help these hors d’oeuvres retain their twisted shapes, thoroughly chill them before baking. You can freeze the formed straws for up to three weeks (no need to thaw), but once they’re baked, it’s best to serve them as soon as possible.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 56
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out Puff Pastry dough to a 17-by-14-inch rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer dough to a large baking sheet; lightly brush with some of the beaten egg, then sprinkle evenly with poppy seeds. Gently press poppy seeds into dough with a rolling pin, taking care not to stretch the rectangle further. Refrigerate dough until firm, 10 to 15 minutes. In a small bowl, combine cheese, paprika, and a large pinch of salt; set aside.
Step 2
Invert the dough onto the work surface, then brush uncoated side with remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle evenly with the cheese mixture; use a rolling pin to gently press cheese mixture into the dough. Return dough to baking sheet, cheese side up; chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3
With a pizza wheel or pastry cutter, divide dough in half crosswise to make two rectangles, each 14 by 8 1/2 inches. Cut each half crosswise into 28 strips (each 1/2 inch wide), for a total of 56. Twist each strip, then transfer to two large unlined baking sheets, pressing the ends onto the sheet to hold their shape. Refrigerate strips until firm, at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Step 4
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until straws are light golden, 20 to 24 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Cheese straws are best eaten the day they are made, but they can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If desired, reheat in a 200°F oven for about 20 minutes.
Cheese Straw how-to
Step 5
After being rolled out and coated with poppy seeds and grated cheese, the Puff Pastry is cut into strips. The strips are then twisted and chilled before baking.
