There are some little party foods that never go out of style, and these oven baked 3-ingredient golden pastry twists are one of them. They remind me of the sort of recipe passed hand to hand at church suppers and holiday gatherings, the kind a mother tucked into her recipe box because it was simple, thrifty, and always the first thing gone. With only three ingredients, they bake up buttery, crisp, and savory, making them just the right thing when you want a warm appetizer that feels special without a great deal of fuss.
These pastry twists are lovely set out with a relish tray, a crock of soup, or a platter of cheeses and pickles for easy entertaining. For holiday tables, I like to serve them alongside deviled eggs, meatballs, or a simple punch, but they are just as welcome with a bowl of tomato soup for lunch or as a warm nibble with coffee when company drops by.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Golden Pastry Twists
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces savory ham salad or deviled ham spread
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour your work surface and unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese and ham spread until smooth and well combined.
3. Spread the filling evenly over the puff pastry, leaving just a small border around the edges. Fold the pastry in half over the filling and press gently.
4. Cut the pastry into 1-inch strips. Twist each strip a few times and place it on the prepared baking sheet, spacing the twists slightly apart.
5. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until puffed and deeply golden. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Cheese Lover's Twist: If you want a richer filling, stir a couple spoonfuls of shredded sharp cheddar into the cream cheese and ham spread. It makes the center a little heartier and gives the twists an old-fashioned appetizer tray flavor.
Keep Them Cold: Puff pastry behaves best when it is still cool to the touch. If the dough softens too much while you are working, slide the tray into the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking so the twists puff up nice and flaky.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can shape the twists a few hours ahead, keep them covered in the refrigerator, and bake just before guests arrive. That way the house smells wonderful and you can serve them fresh and warm.
Different Filling Idea: If deviled ham is hard to find, a finely chopped cooked ham mixed with the cream cheese works nicely too. Just be sure it is chopped very small so the twists hold together neatly when you cut and twist them.