Delicate, flaky straws topped with Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds and poppy seeds.
Have you ever had puff pastry straws or cheese straws? They are so super easy and very elegant too! Your guests will think you spent hours making them.
I used my Easy Puff Pastry for these cheese straws, but you can also use store bought puff pastry. Either one will produce an impressive result.
The technique is simply roll out the dough. Brush with an egg wash and top with your favorite topping. Cut dough into strips, twist and bake. I used Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. The Parmesan cheese was my favorite. I love the baked cheesy taste. You could get very creative with your toppings and use just about anything.

Delicate puff pastry topped with cheese, sesame seeds or poppy seeds
- 1 puff pastry
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 cup Parmesan
- coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds optional
- 1 tblespoon sesame seeds optional
If using homemade puff pastry, divide dough in half and work with half at a time. If using store bought puff pastry, use one portion at a time. Roll out dough to approximately 1/8" thick.
Lightly beat egg and water together. Brush surface of puff pastry with egg mixture.
Sprinkle one of the toppings on surface. Sprinkle with salt.
Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into long, even 1/2" strips.
Working with one strip at a time, pick up strip and twist both ends in an opposite direction until strip is completely spiraled.
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press end onto parchment paper to prevent any untwisting.
Repeat with remaining strips spacing 1" on baking sheet.
Cover baking sheet with another piece of parchment paper and refrigerate pan for 30 minutes.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Cool on a baking rack.
Dough needs to chill for at least 30 minutes before baking.
Recipe adapted from Williams Sonoma Essentials of Baking.
Recipe adapted from Williams Sonoma Essentials of Baking
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20 Comments
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
January 14, 2018 at 7:45 amNow these look so appetizing and easy to make, too! I have never tried making these, always preferring instead to make ‘fancy’ things with puff pastry. Wasn’t it Thoreau who said “Simplify, simplify”?
Kathy
January 18, 2018 at 5:55 amSimplifying a good thing! 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
January 14, 2018 at 9:39 amI LOVE puff pastry cheese straws Kathy! I make them every now and then and add them to my cheese board. Always a winner with guests! These look delish!
Kathy
January 18, 2018 at 5:58 amAdding them to a cheese board is a perfect addition!
stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage
January 15, 2018 at 10:57 amIm so in love with these!! I love puff pastry and I can just imagine how perfect these are, I love the sesame version. Take care.
Kathy
January 18, 2018 at 6:48 pmYou can do so many different things with puff pastry and I think they are all amazing!
Adina
January 16, 2018 at 3:02 amI saw these straws on Foodgawker or another similar site yesterday and I thought I have to make them. I hadn’t even noticed that they were yours until now. Beautiful recipe! I love anything with puff pastry and these straws are perfect, I know exactly how they will taste! 🙂
Kathy
January 18, 2018 at 6:52 pmThanks, Adina! I hope you do make these straws. You’re sure to love hem.
David @ Spiced
January 16, 2018 at 6:31 amWhat a fun idea! I love using puff pastry as a quick “cheat” for all sorts of desserts, but I don’t think I’ve ever used it to make cheese straws. I do love cheese straws, though! I am totally going to keep this idea in mind for the next time we have friends over for drinks. I’m thinking an everything bagel topping on these would be a fun twist! 🙂
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
January 16, 2018 at 12:48 pmThis is such a great idea Kathy, puff pastry cheese straws sound like a great snack…I cannot wait to try this recipe too 🙂
Michelle
January 16, 2018 at 6:17 pmWow these look so scrumptious! I think my kids would love these 🙂 Can’t wait to try them out!
Kathy
January 24, 2018 at 10:46 amMy kids loved ’em! We all loved ’em!
Agness of Run Agness Run
January 17, 2018 at 3:59 amWho doesn’t love pastry, Kathy?! This is an excellent recipe and really mouth-watering pastry straws. Can I use milk instead of water for this recipe?
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
January 18, 2018 at 8:27 amI’m am seriously obsessed with puff pastry and totally impressed that you make your own. I could eat a serious amount of these! Yum!
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January 22, 2018 at 6:08 amI love these puff pastry straws! They’d go perfectly with the pasta I’m serving up today!
Kathy
January 24, 2018 at 10:37 amThey are a perfect compliment to pasta!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
January 22, 2018 at 6:41 amI haven’t dropped by in a while Kathy but I’m so glad I did. These cheese straws are gorgeous. Nice work. Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Kathy
January 24, 2018 at 10:37 amHi Allie! It’s so good to hear from you. Thanks for the wonderful compliment!
Elizabeth
April 3, 2018 at 8:33 pmCan you make these ahead of time or do these need to serviced immediately out of the oven
Kathy
April 3, 2018 at 8:35 pmHi!
You can make ahead of time, but they are best served the same day as they are baked.
Hope you enjoy them!
Kathy 🙂