Spiced Indian Cheese Twists

Section: Tasty Bites to Kick Off Any Meal

Flaky Indian-style cheese twists bring together buttery pastry, mozzarella, cheddar, onions, and classic Indian spices. Lay out your pastry, add the filling, twist them up, and brush on a yellow glaze from turmeric. Pop them in the oven for around 20-25 minutes and you'll get crisp, golden bites. Serve hot and enjoy all those bold flavors from garam masala, kalonji, and coriander.

A woman in a white shirt and apron smiles for the camera.
Rédigé par Barbara Barbara
Dernière modification le Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:55:44 GMT
A plate of breadsticks with parsley on top. Épingler l'article
A plate of breadsticks with parsley on top. | tastefullyeats.com

Flaky, buttery pastry loaded with two bold cheeses, garam masala, and coriander—these Indian-style twists always steal the show. So easy to whip up, yet people think you spent ages! Whenever a crowd's around, these are the bites everyone's fighting over. Trust me, they vanish fast.

Every time there's a get-together, folks expect these from me. The first go was during a last-minute dinner—barely had a minute, but these twists instantly had my friends thinking I was a pro in the kitchen.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Puff pastry sheets: Keep them cold so they're easy to work with and come out super flaky
  • Mature Cheddar cheese: Brings that sharp punch and stands up to all the spices
  • Low-moisture mozzarella: Gives you that awesome melty cheese stretch
  • Red onion: Tiny cubes for a little crunch and mild kick without taking over
  • Fresh coriander: Adds brightness and classic Indian taste
  • Garam masala: This spiced-up blend sets these twists apart
  • Kalonji seeds: Sprinkle these for extra color and a gentle onion flavor
  • Red chilli flakes: Adds a little heat without overwhelming the cheese
  • Milk, turmeric, agave: Mix these for a pretty golden wash—no eggs needed

Effortless Steps

Cut and twist:
Slice the chilled pastry sandwich into strips about 5-6cm wide. Grab each end and twist gently—don't worry if some filling sneaks out, just tuck it back in as you go for that spiral shape.
Chill before cutting:
Slide the filled pastry stack into the fridge for 10 minutes. This helps the butter set again and keeps those layers extra flaky. If your kitchen's warm, don't skip this part even if the pastry is still cool.
Top and seal:
Lay the second sheet right on top of the filling. Press all around the edges, sandwiching it like a giant cheesy pop tart. This keeps the good stuff in and makes the layers puff when baked—dab a little water on the edge if it won't stick.
Assemble the pastry sandwich:
Stick one sheet of cold puff pastry on parchment. Spread out all the cheesy, herby filling almost to the sides. Cool pastry is less sticky—press gently so the filling sticks in place but don't squash it down too hard.
Prepare the filling:
Grab a big bowl and toss together mozzarella, cheddar, chopped coriander, diced onion, garam masala, and chilli flakes. Mix it up really well so every bite is packed with all those flavors. The onions give just enough moisture to help it all hold together.
A plate of breadsticks with herbs on top.
A plate of breadsticks with herbs on top. | tastefullyeats.com

Hands down, my favorite thing in these twists is the garam masala! I shake together my own blend with cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Every time I smell it, I’m right back in the bustling street markets of Delhi—that trip totally changed how I use spices.

Easily Vegan-Friendly

It's a breeze to swap these for anyone skipping dairy. Just grab a vegan mozzarella block and use cheddar-style vegan shreds—works great. Pour in oat or soy milk for the wash, and sweeten with agave for that golden shine (no eggs!). They'll still have all that amazing flavor and texture.

Ways to Serve

You’ll wow people with these twists as the centerpiece, but they’re even better with some dips. Try them with cool mint yogurt chutney—it balances out the kick from the masala. For heartier eats, dish ’em up with a simple lentil soup or crisp green salad. I love standing the twists in a tall glass lined with parchment; it just looks so fancy but it's super easy.

Keep Them Fresh

Let baked twists cool, then keep them in an airtight box right on your counter for two days. Need them crispy again? Five minutes in a 350°F oven does the trick. Stash unbaked ones in the freezer on a parchment tray, then bag them once frozen. You can bake them straight from the freezer—just give them 5-7 extra minutes in the oven when you need a quick bite for surprise visitors.

A plate of croissants with a bowl of sauce.
A plate of croissants with a bowl of sauce. | tastefullyeats.com

Making these takes barely any time, but folks always think they’re fancy—tons of flavor, gorgeous on the table, and zero stress.

Foire aux questions sur la recette

→ Can I make these cheese twists ahead of time?

Totally! Just shape the twists, cover them, and chill in the fridge for up to a day before baking. You can also freeze them raw for a month. When you’re baking from frozen, tack on a few extra minutes.

→ What can I serve with Indian Cheese Twists?

Try dunking them in mint-coriander or tamarind chutney. They’re also awesome with tomato soup or as part of an Indian-style party spread with snacks like pakoras and samosas.

→ Can I use homemade puff pastry instead of store-bought?

Of course! If you've got homemade pastry, roll it out so it’s about as thin as the store kind (around 2-3mm) and keep it cold before making your twists.

→ What are kalonji (nigella) seeds and can I substitute them?

Kalonji (nigella) seeds taste kind of sharp and a bit oniony. If you can’t find them, try black sesame seeds for the look, or use cumin seeds—they add an Indian kick too, though the flavor's different.

→ How do I store leftover cheese twists?

Once cool, stash them in an airtight box on the counter for two days. Pop them in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for a few minutes to get them crunchy again. For longer storage, freeze the baked twists up to 3 months and reheat straight from the freezer.

→ Can I make these cheese twists vegan?

Yep! Just swap in vegan Cheddar and mozzarella. Check your pastry—most is vegan, but double-check. Use plant milk for brushing. You’ll still get that awesome Indian flavor.

Spiced Indian Cheese Twists

Buttery pastry strands stuffed with garam masala cheese and onion, scattered with kalonji for crunch. A snack with a dash of Indian flair.

Durée de préparation
20 min
Durée de cuisson
25 min
Temps global
45 min
Rédigé par Barbara: Barbara

Type de plat: Appetizers & Bites

Niveau de difficulté: Modéré

Origine culinaire: Modern Indian

Quantité obtenue: 6 Nombre de portions (6 cheesy twists)

Spécificités diététiques: Végétarien

Liste des ingrédients

→ Base

01 2 sheets of store-bought puff pastry (each 320 g), kept cold

→ Cheese Mixture

02 75 g sharp cheddar, shredded
03 75 g low-moisture mozzarella, finely diced or grated

→ Seasoning

04 1 tsp garam masala
05 1 tbsp freshly chopped coriander
06 1 small red onion, diced super finely
07 3/4 tsp chilli flakes

→ Glaze & Sprinkle

08 2 tbsp warm milk
09 1/8 tsp turmeric powder
10 1 tsp agave syrup
11 2 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)

Étapes de préparation

Instruction 01

Combine the shredded cheddar with mozzarella, diced onion, chopped coriander, garam masala, and chilli flakes in a mixing bowl. Stir until evenly blended.

Instruction 02

Lay your chilled puff pastry sheet flat on a surface lined with baking parchment. Spread the cheese mix all over it, leaving a small 1 cm gap along the edges. Gently press it onto the pastry without squashing it.

Instruction 03

Top the first sheet with another sheet of chilled pastry. Lightly press down, ensuring the filling is compact. Seal the edges firmly by pinching them or adding a bit of water if needed.

Instruction 04

Put the pastry back into the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up. If your pastry hasn’t warmed up, you can skip this.

Instruction 05

Slice the pastry block into 6 long pieces (each about 5-6 cm wide). Take each section, grab both ends, and twist in opposite directions to form a spiral. If any filling spills out, just push it back in.

Instruction 06

Mix turmeric, agave, and warm milk together to create a quick egg-free glaze.

Instruction 07

Coat the twists in the turmeric glaze using a pastry brush. Sprinkle nigella seeds on top for flavor and texture.

Instruction 08

Put the twists into a preheated oven set to 200°C. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden and flaky. Serve warm.

Informations complémentaires

  1. To make these twists plant-based, use vegan cheese instead of regular cheese.
  2. If you can’t find kalonji seeds, swap them with sesame seeds for a similar nutty flavor.

Ustensiles requis

  • Mixing bowl
  • Sheet of baking paper
  • Pastry brush
  • Baking tray

Informations sur les allergènes

Examinez chaque ingrédient pour repérer la présence d'allergènes. Demandez conseil à un professionnel de santé en cas d'incertitude.
  • Includes gluten (wheat-based pastry)
  • Contains dairy (replace with vegan cheese if necessary)

Informations nutritionnelles (par portion)

Ces données sont fournies à titre informatif et ne sauraient remplacer l'avis d'un professionnel de santé.
  • Apport calorique: 345
  • Matières grasses: 22.6 g
  • Glucides: 28.5 g
  • Protéines: 8.3 g