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You are here: Home / Recipes / Recipes by Course / Starters & Light Bites / Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Published on October 16, 2012 by Helen Best-Shaw 20 Comments
Last Updated on December 29, 2020

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My prosciutto puff pastry cheese twists are the perfect nibbles for parties and holiday gatherings. Easy to make, temping to look at and wonderfully fragrant when they come out of the oven, these gorgeous puff pastry ham and cheese twists put ready made cheese straws in the shade. 

A close up of Prosciutto puff pastry cheese twists on a marble board, garnished with green basil.

Everything You Need To Know

  • Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
  • How to Make Cheese Straws
  • Why You Will Love These Ham and Cheese Twists
  • Parma Ham Cheese Straws Ingredients 
  • How to Make Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
  • Sour Cream and Chive Dip for Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
  • Hints, Tips and Variations
  • How long can I keep Parma ham cheese straws for? 
  • Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Gleaming golden cheese straws always make a great impression at a party. Combined with delicious prosciutto, they resemble something from the window of a fancy French bakery, a mouthwatering treat for your guests. However, they are very quick and easy to make – the ultimate four ingredient party food.

What’s more, these prosciutto and cheese straws are a great way to use up leftovers. If you bought ready made pastry for desserts, then this is the perfect way to make use of any spare sheets or even offcuts. If you are unsure of how to make cheese straws, now is the time to learn! 

How to Make Cheese Straws

To make these cheese and ham puff pastry twists, you simply sprinkle grated cheese over a sheet of ready made puff pastry. Cut it into strips (about 2.5 cm wide) and lay a strip of ham on each.

Then just twist, brush with a little beaten egg and pop onto a baking tray. Bake your ham and cheese twists at 220°C / 425°F / GM 7 for about 15–20 minutes until puffed and golden.

Why You Will Love These Ham and Cheese Twists

  • Everyone’s favourite party food 
  • Effortlessly impressive 
  • So easy to make
  • Just four ingredients 
  • Make ahead and reheat

Parma Ham Cheese Straws Ingredients 

Ingredients for prosciutto cheese twists - pastry, grated cheese, ham and an egg.

You need just four simple ingredients. 

  • Prosciutto or Parma Ham – Pick a good quality, thinly sliced cured ham.  
  • Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated using a Microplane style grater.  You can use any Grana style Italian hard cheese, or even a crumbly extra mature cheddar. Please don’t use a tub of ready grated parmesan for your cheese twists, because it really doesn’t taste as good. 
  • Egg 
  • Puff Pastry – It is worth paying the extra for all-butter puff pastry, as it is so much nicer. I also prefer the ready rolled, which saves time, is neater than my rolling, and five pieces of ham fit neatly on it, so there is no waste. 

View from above of a hand picking up a cheese twist from a marble board.

How to Make Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Straws

Ingredients for prosciutto cheese twists - pastry, grated cheese, ham and an egg.

Step one – Assemble the ingredients. There are only four, so it doesn’t take long! Grate the cheese and beat the egg. Heat the oven to 220°C (Fan) / 425°F / GM 7.

Spreading cheese evenly on unrolled puff pastry.

Step two – Unroll the puff pastry onto baking parchment, and cover it with the grated cheese and a sprinkle of pepper (you don’t need any salt as both the cheese and ham is quite salty). Pat the cheese down into the pastry.  You can do this with a rolling pin, or gently press it down with your hand.   

Laying prosciutto over cheese on puff pastry.

Step three – Cover the cheese with slices of Prosciutto or other air-dried ham. 

Cutting the puff pastry, prosciutto and cheese into strips.

Step four – Transfer the pastry and baking paper to a baking tray or sheet. Cut the pastry into 2.5 cm/1″ strips.  You should get 10 -12 straws from each sheet of pastry. 

Fuss Free Tip!

Unless you use a really sharp knife, the ham can drag, and with a sharp knife you will either cut your baking mat, or scratch the tray. I find the best and easiest way to do this is with kitchen scissors.   

Egg washing the cheese straws before cooking.

Step five – Twist each strip with two full twists. If the pastry gets a bit sticky and hard to handle, pop the tray in the fridge to let everything firm up. Brush each cheese twist with the beaten egg, using a pastry brush.  

Pro Tip 

For a really professional polished presentation, twist each straw in the same direction. It doesn’t really matter, but it does make the final cheese straws look more professional. 

The finished prosciutto cheese twists, just out of the oven & ready to serve.

Step six – Bake for about 15 minutes, until golden brown and puffed. Serve warm. 

Sour Cream and Chive Dip for Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

We like to serve these ham and cheese twists with a sour cream and chive dip.  Just mix together:

  • 1 heaped tablespoon of sour cream
  • 1 heaped tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons of finely chopped chives

Hints, Tips and Variations

  • You can prepare your cheese straws a few hours in advance. Leave them in the fridge on the baking tray and then bake when you need them. 
  • Once cooked, you can store your cheese straws in an airtight container for a few days. Reheat them gently in the oven when ready to serve. 
  • Add some spice – I like a pinch of chilli flake or some oregano
  • Brush the pastry with pesto before adding the parmesan
  • Tomato Cheese Straws – cut up some sun dried tomatoes and press onto the pastry under the ham. 

A prosciutto cheese twist being dunked into a small bowl of dip.

How long can I keep Parma ham cheese straws for? 

These are so easy to make that I make them when needed.   However you can make them in advance and keep in an airtight container for a few days and reheat in a medium oven for 10 minutes before serving. 

Alternatively once cooked pack into airtight containers and freeze for up to 6 weeks, before defrosting and reheating as above.  

 

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Close up of cheese twists
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5 from 12 votes

Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists

Easy to make with ready made puff pastry, these sumptuous ham and cheese twists are perfect as snacks or canapes.
Servings: 10 cheese straws
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time25 mins
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Ingredients

  • 320 g puff pastry (all butter, ready rolled)
  • 20 g Grana Padano (or other hard cheese, finely grated)
  • 5 slices prosciutto (or other air-dried ham)
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Grate the cheese. Heat oven to 220°C (Fan) / 425°F / GM 7.
  • Unroll the puff pastry onto baking paper. Cover with the cheese, and pat it into the pastry.
  • Cover the cheese with slices of ham.
  • Transfer the pastry and baking paper onto a baking tray or sheet.
  • Using a pair of scissors, cut the pastry into 2.5 cm / 1" strips.
  • Twist each strip twice fully.
  • Brush each strip with beaten egg.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes until golden and puffed. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • You can prepare your cheese straws a few hours in advance. Leave them in the fridge on the baking tray and then bake when you need them. 
  • Once cooked, you can store your cheese straws in an airtight container for a few days. Reheat them gently in the oven when ready to serve. 
  • Add some spice - I like a pinch of chilli flake or some oregano
  • Brush the pastry with pesto before adding the parmesan
  • Tomato Cheese Straws - cut up some sun dried tomatoes and press onto the pastry under the ham.
  • These are so easy to make that I make them when needed.   However you can make them in advance and keep in an airtight container for a few days and reheat in a medium oven for 10 minutes before serving. 
  • Alternatively once cooked pack into airtight containers and freeze for up to 6 weeks, before defrosting and reheating as above.  
Nutritional Information 
  • This recipe is 10 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion 
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Prosciutto Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
Amount Per Serving
Calories 207 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 144mg6%
Potassium 34mg1%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 39IU1%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Canapé
Cuisine: Fusion
Keyword: cheese twists
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Update Notes: Parma ham cheese straws originally published October 2012.  Updated with new photos, step by step instructions and hints and tips December 2020   

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Baking, Italian, Pork, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Starters & Light Bites Ingredients: Cheese, Ham, Pastry

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    Recipe Rating




  1. [email protected]

    Oh I love Mermaid ware, such good quality. Also would enjoy these twists with a few glasses of Sherry!

    Reply
  2. rita cooks italian

    I like this party snack idea! Quick and delicious. ‘Solid bakeware, easy to clean’ this sounds good.

    Reply
  3. Camilla

    5 stars
    Good to have another idea for left over pastry. So far I’ve only made pinwheels with sugar and cinnamon!

    Reply
  4. Nic

    I make something similar, so quick and easy – delish!

    Reply
  5. Rachael Lines

    WoW! These look divine, yummy

    Reply
  6. Alice

    5 stars
    These are always so popular when I make them. The plate gets emptied in no time. So tasty and really easy to prep.

    Reply
    • Helen

      They really are very tasty.

      Reply
  7. Natalie M

    5 stars
    I love tasty savoury party food. Much prefer it to the sweet section. These are utterly delicious, so much so that I have been known to make them just for a movie snack.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Love the idea of making them just to have as a movie snack.

      Reply
  8. Hollie Jackson

    5 stars
    These are so effective and really tasty. Such a simple idea and yet perfect results.

    Reply
  9. Bryan B

    5 stars
    Yummy! What a delicious idea. I like to add a thin layer of yeast extract to these, but not too much as it is really salty!

    Reply
  10. Amber

    5 stars
    So much tastier than anything I’ve bought at the supermarket. Fresh and delicious.

    Reply
  11. jill parker

    5 stars
    I can highly recommend making these with pesto brushed on before baking. So so good. Such an easy and successful make.

    Reply
  12. Paul W

    5 stars
    Tasty and so quick to make. The results are crispy, full of flavour and far too easy to eat!

    Reply
  13. Rita

    5 stars
    This is a great use of leftover pastry, and ideal for a quick tasty appetizer. Delicious with a chilli salsa.

    Reply
  14. Vivien Ellis

    5 stars
    For such an easy no fuss recipe, these twists really are delicious. Really nice to have with a jazzed up mayo.

    Reply
  15. Dan

    5 stars
    These will be a great addition to any buffet or gathering of friends. Just the right size to pick up and enjoy and simple to make yourself.

    Reply
  16. Amelia Jenkin

    5 stars
    Deliciously crispy when they come out of the oven and they smell amazing. Great idea for party food, but equally good for just enjoying because you can.

    Reply
  17. Babs

    5 stars
    There is something so good about cheese and ham together and these are no exception. A lovely snack to make, particularly good for parties.

    Reply
  18. mags

    5 stars
    Delightful appetizers, perfect for dipping in homemade dips.

    Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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