Description
Spicy Jalapeño Popper Twists are flaky puff‑pastry spirals filled with creamy cheese and jalapeño heat — a crunchy, warm, and slightly spicy snack or appetizer that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet (≈ 225 g) store‑bought puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (≈ 55 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese)
- 2–3 jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled, according to desired heat)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 small clove garlic, minced)
- 1 egg, beaten — for egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeños, and garlic powder until smooth.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to about ¼ inch (≈ 0.6 cm) thickness. Cut into strips roughly 2 inches (≈ 5 cm) wide.
- Spoon a portion of the cheese‑jalapeño filling onto one half of each strip. Fold over the pastry to encase the filling, seal the edges, then gently twist each filled strip a few times to form a spiral.
- Place the twists on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden, and the filling bubbles at the ends.
Notes
- Use pickled jalapeños for a milder flavor, or fresh with seeds for extra heat.
- Cheese & jalapeño quantities can be adjusted — more cheese for creamier bites, more jalapeños for spicier twists.
- Make‑ahead option: assemble twists, refrigerate until baking; bake just before serving for best flakiness.
- For a vegetarian‑friendly or lighter version: omit cheese or use a plant‑based cheese alternative, and substitute puff pastry with whole‑wheat or lighter dough if available.
- Serve warm with a dipping sauce — ranch, spicy mayo, or sour cream work great.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Category: Snack / Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 twist
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
