Fancy twisted cheese straws/breadsticks have a go at these crunchy, buttery, cheesy straws. These cheese straws are super-easy as it uses ready roll puff pastry. They make a lovely snack you can munch anytime of the day and they are great little nibble with a drink. You can vary the flavour; together with the cheese you can add other flavours with many possibilities for variation. I leave it to your imagination to experiment.

Ingredients Makes 12 straws

• 1 sheet ready roll puff pastry
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
• Dried thyme (optional)
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Olive oil
• Milk to paint before baking

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sh3et.
2. On a lightly floured surface unfold the puff pastry sheet. Brush top of puff pastry dough with olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
3. Sprinkle the sheet with the grated Cheddar, Parmesan cheeses (reserve 1Tbs), herbs, seasonings onto the oiled surface dough enough to cover the surface.
4. Using your hand or a rolling pin press cheese and seasonings firmly into the dough.
5. Use a sharp knife cut the dough cut lengthwise approximately 3” wide into strips (you may get about 12 strips).
6. Now to twist place it seasoned side down on the work surface, and twist from both ends (see picture below)
7. Place the twisted strips onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Using a paint brush, brush with some milk on the strips. Sprinkle with the reserved Parmesan cheese over the sticks.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes; turn each straw halfway and continue baking until breadsticks are browned and crisp.
10. Once golden remove from the oven, cool on a wire rack before serving.
11. Store in an air tight jar.  

Brinda’s Note: These will keep well in an airtight jar. Get your kids involved in making these delicious snacks.