These crowd-pleasing cheese straws are simple to prepare and make an impressive addition to any cocktail hour. Change the cheeses and seasonings to create a fresh flavor every time.
These cheese straws look elegant on a serving platter, yet they vanish quickly—favorites for parties and gatherings. They’re remarkably easy to make and scale well: double or triple the recipe to feed a larger crowd and bake in batches as needed. Watch them disappear as guests reach for another crisp, savory bite.
Although they may seem intricate, cheese straws come together quickly. They’re a great project to involve kids—don’t worry about imperfect shapes; the rustic look is part of their appeal. Focus on packing bold flavor into each straw. If any cheese or seasonings fall onto your work surface as you transfer strips to the baking sheet, scoop them up and sprinkle them back over the pastry before baking to ensure maximum flavor.
Helpful Tips for Making Cheese Straws
- Choose good-quality puff pastry: With so few ingredients, pastry quality matters. A 100% butter puff pastry yields the best flavor and flakiest texture.
- Experiment with cheeses: Hard, aged cheeses deliver the most flavor. Gruyère and Comté are classic choices, but Parmesan, aged Cheddar, or Swiss work beautifully—use what you enjoy or already have on hand.
- Vary the flavorings: Chopped walnuts complement the nutty notes of Gruyère or Comté. If you prefer no nuts, swap in finely chopped pitted olives, fresh or dried herbs, or seeds such as poppy or sesame. A pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne adds a pleasant kick.
- Keep it simple if needed: If time or ingredients are limited, just use cheese. Even plain cheese-topped straws are addictive and full of flavor.
Pin Recipe
Easy Cheese Straws
Ingredients
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry (preferably 100% butter), defrosted if frozen
- 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup finely grated Gruyère, Comté, or another hard, flavorful cheese (Parmesan, aged Cheddar, Swiss, etc.)
- 2 tbsp very finely chopped or ground walnuts (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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On a clean work surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet. If the pastry has its backing paper, leave it underneath to prevent sticking as you gently flatten the sheet.
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Brush the pastry evenly with the beaten egg yolk. Sprinkle on the grated cheese and walnuts, then season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Press the toppings gently so they adhere.
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Using a pizza wheel or a very sharp knife, cut the sheet into two long rectangles, then slice each rectangle into thin ½-inch (1 cm) strips. Transfer each strip to the prepared baking sheet and twist the ends in opposite directions to form tight spirals. Gather any fallen toppings and sprinkle them back over the twisted straws.
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Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until the straws are puffed, deep golden brown, and dry to the touch.
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Remove from the oven and transfer to a rack to cool for about 15 minutes.
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SERVING: Serve the cheese straws warm or at room temperature.
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STORAGE: Best the day they’re made, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Recrisp in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes if desired.
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CLEVER TIP: If you prefer not to use nuts, substitute finely chopped pitted olives, herbs, or seeds such as poppy or sesame. A sprinkle of smoked paprika or cayenne adds a pleasant flavor boost.
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