I Enjoy How Simple These Twists Are To Prepare While Still Delivering Big Flavor. The Combination Of Cream Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, And Jalapenos Creates That Classic Popper Taste Wrapped In Golden, Crispy Pastry.
I Also Like That I Can Easily Adjust The Spice Level. Whether I Use Fresh Jalapenos For Extra Heat Or Pickled Ones For A Tangy Twist, The Result Is Always Delicious And Fun To Serve.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 Package Puff Pastry (Or Pizza Dough) 8 Oz Cream Cheese, Softened 1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese 2 Medium Jalapenos, Sliced 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 Large Egg
Directions
I Start By Preheating The Oven To 400°F (200°C) And Lining A Baking Sheet With Parchment Paper.
In A Bowl, I Mix The Softened Cream Cheese, Shredded Cheddar, Sliced Jalapenos, And Garlic Powder Until Smooth And Well Combined.
On A Lightly Floured Surface, I Roll Out The Puff Pastry To About 1/4 Inch Thick And Cut It Into Strips About 2 Inches Wide.
I Spoon A Generous Amount Of The Cheesy Filling Onto One Half Of Each Strip, Fold The Dough Over, And Seal The Edges Tightly.
I Gently Twist Each Sealed Strip Into A Spiral Shape And Place Them On The Prepared Baking Sheet.
I Brush The Tops With Beaten Egg To Create A Golden Finish.
I Bake For 15–20 Minutes Until The Twists Are Puffing And Turned Golden Brown.
Servings And Timing
This Recipe Makes 8 Servings.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 15–20 Minutes Total Time: About 40 Minutes
Variations
I Sometimes Add Crumbled Cooked Bacon To The Filling For Extra Smoky Flavor. If I Want A Milder Version, I Remove The Seeds From The Jalapenos Or Replace Them With Diced Bell Peppers.
For A Heartier Option, I Use Pizza Dough Instead Of Puff Pastry, Which Creates A Softer, Bread-Like Texture. I Also Like Mixing In A Little Mozzarella For Extra Stretchy Cheese Pull.
Storage/Reheating
I Store Leftover Twists In An Airtight Container In The Refrigerator For Up To 3 Days. To Reheat, I Place Them In The Oven At 350°F (175°C) For About 8–10 Minutes To Restore Their Crispiness.
If I’m In A Hurry, I Reheat Them Briefly In The Microwave, Though The Pastry Becomes Softer. I Can Also Freeze The Unbaked Twists And Bake Them Straight From Frozen, Adding A Few Extra Minutes To The Baking Time.
FAQs
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
I Often Assemble The Twists Ahead Of Time And Refrigerate Them Until I’m Ready To Bake.
How Do I Make Them Less Spicy?
I Remove The Seeds And Membranes From The Jalapenos Or Use Fewer Peppers To Reduce The Heat.
Can I Use Store-Bought Pizza Dough?
I Can Easily Substitute Pizza Dough For Puff Pastry If I Prefer A More Bread-Like Texture.
What Dips Pair Well With These?
I Like Serving Them With Ranch Dressing, Sour Cream, Or A Simple Marinara Sauce.
Can I Make A Vegetarian Version?
This Recipe Is Already Vegetarian, And I Simply Ensure All Ingredients Fit My Dietary Preferences.
Conclusion
I Find These Spicy Jalapeno Popper Twists To Be The Ultimate Savory Snack For Gatherings. They’re Crispy, Cheesy, And Packed With Flavor In Every Bite. Whenever I Make Them, They’re One Of The First Things To Disappear From The Table.
Irresistibly spicy jalapeno popper twists made with flaky puff pastry, creamy cheese filling, and bold jalapeno flavor. The perfect easy game night appetizer that is cheesy, crispy, and crowd pleasing.
Author:Sarah
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15–20 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 package puff pastry (or pizza dough for a heartier option)
8 oz cream cheese, softened (goat cheese can be substituted)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
2 medium jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic)
1 large egg (for egg wash, or use milk for egg-free option)
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Filling
In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeños, and garlic powder until smooth and evenly combined.
Roll and Cut Pastry
On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into strips approximately 2 inches wide.
Fill and Seal
Spoon a generous amount of cheese mixture onto one half of each strip. Fold the other half over and press edges firmly to seal.
Twist
Gently twist each sealed strip into a spiral shape and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Egg Wash
Brush the tops with beaten egg for a shiny, golden finish.
Bake
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
Notes
Remove jalapeño seeds for less heat; keep them for extra spice.
Add crispy bacon bits for a classic jalapeño popper twist.
Sprinkle extra cheddar on top before baking for a cheesy crust.
Best served warm with ranch dressing or spicy aioli.