Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists

Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists: Flaky, Cheesy, and Full of Flavour

There’s nothing quite like a snack that’s crisp, golden, and bursting with flavour, and these Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists deliver just that. Flaky puff pastry is layered with roasted peppers, mozzarella, cream cheese, and briny olives, then twisted into irresistible spirals that are perfect for sharing or snacking on your own. They’re ideal for lunchboxes, casual dinners, parties, or as a make-ahead snack, and each bite combines crisp pastry with a savoury filling for maximum satisfaction.

If you enjoy baking with puff pastry, you might also like my cookbook Everything is Better with Puff Pastry, which is filled with 60 easy and delicious savoury and sweet recipes. A huge thank you to everyone who has already ordered it and taken the time to leave a review on Amazon. Your support genuinely means a lot. And if you have not had a look yet, you can check it out here! If you want a feel for the style of recipes inside, have a look at Nectarine Frangipane Tartlets, Avocado Mousse and Salmon Tartare Vol-au-Vent and Pesto Twists.

While you’re here, why not try other fan favourites like Broccolini Tomato Puff Bites, Salmon Puff Pastry Cups, or
Avocado Mousse and Salmon Tartare Vol-au-Vent for more quick, fun, and delicious bites that are just as easy to make.

Scroll down or tap ‘Jump to Recipe’ to dive straight into this simple yet impressive puff pastry treat.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavours

What makes these twists so special is the combination of simple, fresh ingredients treated with care:

Puff pastry : Ready-rolled puff pastry makes this recipe quick and accessible, baking into golden, flaky layers every time. For a different twist, try my Pesto Twists or Twisted Garlic Puffs for more puff pastry ideas.

Cream cheese and mozzarella : Cream cheese adds richness and moisture, while mozzarella gives that irresistible gooey texture. If you love layered cheese, check out my Cheesy Pesto Puff Buns for another cheesy favourite.

Roasted peppers : Sweet and slightly smoky, they balance the cheese beautifully. You can experiment with sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms for a flavour twist, and if you love roasted peppers, make sure to try my Delicious Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip Recipe.

Olives : Sliced olives add a salty, tangy kick that elevates the pastry to snack perfection.

Every ingredient plays a role in creating layers of flavour and texture, making this dish more than just a snack, it’s an experience.

How to Make Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists

Roll and Layer the Pastry

Preheat your oven to 200 °C / 400 °F (convection) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle about 24 x 36 cm (9½ x 14¼ in) and cut it into four equal parts.

Puff pastry sheet divided into four equal rectangles on a work surface — Puff pastry neatly divided into four rectangles, ready for layering

Place the first piece on a clean surface and spread 1 tbsp of cream cheese evenly on top. Arrange the roasted pepper slices over it,

Cream cheese and roasted pepper spread on the first puff pastry rectangle — Cream cheese spread evenly and topped with roasted pepper on the first pastry layer

then cover with the second piece of pastry. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly on this layer,

Grated mozzarella added over puff pastry layer — Grated mozzarella sprinkled evenly over the puff pastry

then cover with the third piece of pastry. Spread the remaining cream cheese and top with the sliced olives. Finally, cover with the last piece of pastry.

Cream cheese and sliced olives added to puff pastry layer — Cream cheese spread and olives scattered over the pastry layer

Cut and Shape the Twists

Cut the layered pastry into 8–9 strips, each about 2 cm (¾ in) wide.

Layered puff pastry cut into nine strips — The layered puff pastry is sliced into nine even strips

Gently stretch each strip slightly, then twist it 3–4 times. Place the twists onto the prepared baking tray.

Twisting a puff pastry strip by hand — A puff pastry strip is gently twisted by hand

In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk and milk together, then brush the mixture over each twist. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or crispy sesame salt for a golden, crunchy topping.

Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists brushed with egg wash and sprinkled with crispy sesame salt — Twisted puff pastry brushed with egg wash and topped with crispy sesame salt

Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the twists for about 15 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and crisp. Let them cool slightly before serving.

Freshly baked Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists straight from the oven — Golden puff pastry twists just out of the oven

These twists are perfect served with dips such as garlic yogurt (just mix a bit of yogurt with garlic granules, salt, and chopped coriander).

Scroll down to the full printable recipe with exact measurements.

Helpful Tips

Here are some useful tips to get the best results with your Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists:
Always use cold puff pastry, this keeps the layers flaky and prevents sticking. If it warms up too much, pop it back in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.
Twist gently, stretching the strips too much can tear the pastry. A gentle twist of 3–4 turns works perfectly.
For a crunchy topping, sesame seeds or crispy sesame salt are ideal, but poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning also work beautifully.
Experiment with fillings like sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms to create different flavour combinations.

Why We Love Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists

These twists are the perfect example of how simple ingredients can create something truly irresistible. The combination of creamy cheese, sweet roasted peppers, and briny olives wrapped in golden puff pastry is satisfying and versatile. They’re quick to prepare, fun to assemble, and guaranteed to impress anyone who tries them.

If you enjoy this recipe, don’t miss other puff pastry favourites on my website, like Easy Puff Pastry Quiches, Tomato & Boursin Puff Tartlets, and Date Cinnamon Buns.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists are ideal for parties, casual lunches, or cozy nights in. They’re easy to make ahead, travel well, and cater to vegetarian diets. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering or as an indulgent snack, these twists hit the perfect balance of crisp, cheesy, and flavour-packed.

Scroll down for the full printable recipe card with precise measurements

Instagram Tutorial & More

Want to see these twists come to life? Watch our quick video on Instagram, and don’t miss other puff pastry favourites like:

Happy baking,
Izabella

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: American, European

Courses: Appetizer, Brunch, Snack

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 9

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

These Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists are golden, crispy, and packed with flavour. Layers of flaky puff pastry are filled with creamy cheese, sweet roasted peppers, gooey mozzarella, and briny olives, then twisted into irresistible little bites. Perfect as a snack, party appetizer, or a fun addition to any lunch spread. They bake up beautifully in just 15 minutes and pair wonderfully with a simple dip like garlic yogurt or your favourite sauce.

Ingredients

340 g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet (12 oz)
2 tbsp cream cheese
½ roasted red pepper (sliced, jarred is fine)
50 g mozzarella (grated, about ½ cup)
6 olives (pitted, sliced)
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp milk
Crispy sesame salt or sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F on convection mode and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle roughly 24 x 36 cm (9½ x 14¼ inches) and cut it into 4 equal rectangles. Place one rectangle on a clean surface and spread 1 tbsp cream cheese evenly, then top with roasted pepper slices. Cover with the second rectangle and sprinkle mozzarella evenly on top. Place the third rectangle, spread the remaining cream cheese, and top with sliced olives. Finally, cover with the last rectangle.
2
Slice the layered pastry into 8–9 strips, each about 2 cm (¾ inch) wide. Gently stretch each strip slightly, twist it 3–4 times, and arrange the twists on the prepared baking tray. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk and milk and brush this mixture over the twists. Sprinkle generously with crispy sesame salt or sesame seeds.
3
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the twists are golden and puffed. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with your favourite dip, such as a simple garlic yogurt dip made by mixing plain yogurt with garlic granules, a pinch of salt, and chopped coriander.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 9 ServingCalories:245.48kcalTotal Fat:17.42gCholesterol:23.97mgSodium:148.38mgPotassium:42.25mgTotal Carbohydrate:17.88gDietary Fiber: 0.64gSugars: 0.67gProtein:4.53gVitamin A: 32.66IUVitamin C: 6.95mgCalcium: 41.01mgIron: 1.18mgVitamin D: 0.12IUVitamin E: 0.38IUVitamin K: 6.52mcgVitamin B6: 0.02mgVitamin B12: 0.17mcgPhosphorus: 53.81mgMagnesium: 8.17mgZinc: 0.42mg

Note

Use cold puff pastry straight from the fridge for best results. Warming it too much can make it sticky and harder to twist.
Jarred roasted peppers work perfectly, but if using fresh, roast them until soft and slightly caramelised for maximum flavour.
For an extra cheesy twist, add a sprinkle of Parmesan or your favourite hard cheese between the layers.
When twisting the strips, don’t over-stretch; a gentle pull is enough to create the signature spiral without tearing the pastry.
Egg wash helps the twists achieve a glossy, golden finish, but you can brush with milk only if you prefer a lighter colour.
These twists are best served warm, but they also keep well at room temperature for a few hours, making them ideal for parties.
Experiment with fillings: try sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms for a savoury variation.
For a crunchy topping, crispy sesame salt or sesame seeds are ideal, but poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning also work beautifully.

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