Blue Cheese Walnut Thyme Puff Pastry Twirl Recipe
This Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Thyme Puff Pastry Twirl is a savory, comforting appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry filled with rich blue cheese, sharp Parmesan, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant fresh thyme. The recipe combines sweet honey and savory cheeses, twisted into an elegant coil and baked to a golden perfection, making it perfect for sharing at gatherings or as a cozy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (2 puff pastry twirls, cut into portions) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry Base
- 2 sheets of puff pastry (square shaped sheets)
- 1 tablespoon of milk (for brushing)
- Sea salt and cracked pepper, to taste
Filling and Toppings
- 2 tablespoons of honey (1 tablespoon per puff pastry sheet)
- 100 grams of blue cheese, crumbled
- 100 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
- 50 grams of walnuts, chopped
- 6–8 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves
Optional Substitutions
- Vegan blue cheese alternative (for blue cheese)
- Nutritional yeast (for Parmesan cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). If using an electric non-fan forced oven, increase the temperature to 200°C (390°F) to ensure even baking and browning.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Lay out each sheet of puff pastry flat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey evenly over each pastry sheet to add a subtle sweetness that complements the savory filling.
- Add the Toppings: Evenly distribute the chopped walnuts, crumbled blue cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese onto each sheet. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top, and season with sea salt and cracked pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Roll and Cut: Carefully roll up each sheet of puff pastry tightly into a log shape. Once rolled, cut each log lengthwise down the middle to reveal the layers of filling. If needed, gently tuck the pastry edges to keep the filling secure.
- Twist and Shape: Place the two halves on a sheet of baking paper. Twist each half carefully and coil them into a round shape, creating an attractive twirled pattern that will bake evenly.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the shaped pastry coils with milk to help achieve a golden-brown, glossy finish. Place them on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up, crisp, and golden.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the twirls from the oven, scatter a few extra fresh thyme leaves on top for garnish, and serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese with a vegan blue cheese alternative and Parmesan with nutritional yeast to accommodate vegan diets.
- If using frozen puff pastry, ensure it is fully thawed before assembly to prevent cracking during rolling.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the amount of salt, as blue cheese can be quite salty.
- Serve immediately for optimal puffiness and crisp texture; leftovers can be reheated but may lose some crispness.
- For extra crunch, toast walnuts lightly before adding them to the pastry.
Keywords: blue cheese puff pastry, walnut thyme twirl, savory pastry appetizer, pull-apart puff pastry, easy party snacks, cheese and herb pastry
