Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists: Flaky, Elegant and So Easy to Share
These Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists are the kind of savoury bake that looks polished and impressive, but still feels beautifully simple to make. Buttery puff pastry is layered with cream cheese, thinly sliced smoked salmon and fresh chives, then cut, twisted and baked until golden, crisp and flaky. They are perfect for brunch, festive platters, party appetisers, afternoon grazing boards or any moment when you want something that feels a little bit special without turning your kitchen upside down.
If you love easy puff pastry recipes as much as I do, don’t forget to check out my cookbook, Everything Is Better With Puff Pastry, packed with 60 sweet and savoury puff pastry recipes designed to make homemade baking feel effortless and exciting. Inside, you’ll find recipes such as Strawberry Cream Cheese Shells, Nectarine Frangipane Tartlets, and Avocado Mousse and Salmon Tartare Vol-au-Vent alongside so many other flaky, buttery creations. And if you’ve already ordered a copy, thank you so much for the support, it truly means the world.
For more savoury pastry inspiration, you may also love my Salmon Puff Pastry Cups and Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry Rolls.
Scroll down or tap ‘Jump to Recipe’ to get the full printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavours
What makes these smoked salmon pastry twists so lovely is how a few familiar ingredients come together to create something that feels elegant, savoury and full of texture. The puff pastry brings buttery layers and a crisp golden finish, while the smoked salmon adds richness and a delicate salty flavour. Cream cheese helps everything sit together beautifully, and chives bring a fresh onion-like brightness that cuts through the richness. If you enjoy simple puff pastry recipes that still feel party-worthy, try my Chicken and Feta Puff Quiches or Mini Cheeseburger Puff Pastry Bites next.
Puff pastry
Ready-rolled puff pastry keeps this recipe quick and reliable. Rolling it into a neat rectangle helps create even layers and makes the twists easier to shape. If you love recipes built around ready-rolled pastry, you may also enjoy my Cheesy Beef Puffs and Cheesy Pesto Braided Puffs
Cream cheese
This adds a soft, creamy layer that pairs perfectly with the smoked salmon. It is best used at room temperature so it spreads easily over the pastry without tearing it. For more creamy pastry ideas, try my Cottage Cheese Tomato Puffs and Whipped Cottage Cheese Strawberry Salsa Tarts
Smoked salmon
Thinly sliced smoked salmon works best here because it layers neatly between the pastry rectangles and twists well without making the strips too bulky. The flavour is rich, savoury and perfect for brunch-style appetisers. If salmon is your thing, you might also like my Salmon and Spinach Puff Pastry Rolls.
Chives
Fresh chives add colour, freshness and a gentle onion flavour without overpowering the smoked salmon. They make the filling taste brighter and more balanced. For more easy recipes with bold savoury flavour, check out my Mozzarella Puff Pastry Boats and Puff Pastry Leek Tatin
Egg yolk and milk
This simple egg wash helps the pastry bake with a glossy, golden finish. It also helps the sesame seeds stick to the surface. If you enjoy golden, bakery-style puff pastry bakes, try my Nutella Puff Pastry Twists and Easy Berry Puff Squares for something sweet.
Sesame seeds or crispy sesame seeds
The topping adds crunch, texture and a lovely nutty finish. It is a small detail, but it makes the twists look more polished and gives each bite a little extra bite. For more party-friendly puff pastry ideas, have a look at my Egg and Avocado Puff Cones and Cheesy Pepper Olive Twists
How to Make Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists
Preparing the pastry
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F, 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. Once the pastry is shaped, cut it into 4 equal rectangles. Try to keep the pieces as even as possible so the layers stack neatly and the twists bake evenly.
Layering the filling
Place one pastry rectangle on a clean surface and spread over a bit of cream cheese. Sprinkle with a little chopped chives, then add some thin slices of smoked salmon.
Cover with the second pastry rectangle and repeat the layering with more cream cheese, chives, and smoked salmon. Place the third pastry rectangle on top, spread over the remaining cream cheese, sprinkle with the remaining chives, and add the remaining smoked salmon. Finish by covering everything with the last pastry rectangle.
Cutting and twisting
Use a sharp knife or dough scraper to slice the layered pastry from the long edge into 8 to 9 strips, each about 2 cm / ¾ inch wide.
Gently stretch each strip slightly, then twist it 3 to 4 times. Arrange the twists on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between each one so they have room to puff up as they bake.
Brushing and baking
In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk with the milk, then brush the egg wash over the twists. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds or crispy sesame seeds. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the twists are puffed, golden, and crisp. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Serving
Serve these smoked salmon puff pastry twists slightly warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with your favourite dip. A simple garlic yoghurt dip works beautifully, made by mixing plain yoghurt with garlic granules, a pinch of salt, and chopped chives.
Why We Love Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists
These Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists are the perfect mix of easy, elegant and delicious. The puff pastry bakes until golden and flaky, while the cream cheese, smoked salmon and chives create a rich, fresh and savoury filling. They look impressive on a platter, but the method is simple and beginner-friendly. I also love that they work for so many occasions, from brunch and festive parties to quick appetisers when you need something that feels special without too much effort. The sesame topping adds a lovely crunch and makes the twists look even more bakery-style. Serve them slightly warm with a garlic yoghurt dip, or add them to a sharing board with other puff pastry favourites like Mini Sausage Puffs and Beetroot Puff Pastry Hearts.
Perfect for Any Occasion
These Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists are perfect for parties, brunch, festive tables, picnics and easy weekend grazing boards. They feel elegant enough for a celebration, but they are simple enough to make without stress. The thin layers of smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives give them a classic savoury flavour, while the crisp puff pastry makes them easy to pick up and share. Serve them slightly warm with garlic yoghurt dip, sour cream dip or a simple cream cheese and chive dip. They also work beautifully as part of a bigger savoury spread with other puff pastry favourites like Broccolini Tomato Puff Bites and Cheesy Pesto Puff Buns.
Instagram Tutorial & More
Want to see exactly how these flaky salmon twists come together? Watch my quick video tutorial on Instagram and follow the layering, slicing and twisting steps before baking. Don’t miss more puff pastry favourites like:
- Easy Puff Pastry Quiches
- Tomato & Boursin Puff Tartlets
- Date Cinnamon Buns
- Twisted Garlic Puffs
- Dates in a Blanket
- Cheesy Chicken and Courgette Rolls
- Cheesy Pesto Tomato Puffs
Scroll down for the full printable recipe card with exact measurements, prep time, cook time and notes.
Happy baking,
Izabella
Description
These Smoked Salmon Puff Pastry Twists are crisp, golden, and beautifully savoury. They are made with ready-rolled puff pastry layered with cream cheese, thinly sliced smoked salmon, and fresh chives, then twisted and baked until puffed and flaky. The sesame topping adds a lovely crunch, while the salmon and cream cheese give each bite a rich, elegant flavour. They are perfect for parties, brunch, festive platters, or as a quick savoury appetiser. Serve them slightly warm with a simple garlic yoghurt dip or your favourite creamy dip.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F, 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, then cut it into 4 equal rectangles.
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Place one pastry rectangle on a clean surface and spread over a bit of cream cheese. Sprinkle with a little chopped chives and add some slices of smoked salmon. Cover with the second pastry rectangle and repeat the layering with cream cheese, chives, and smoked salmon. Place the third rectangle on top, spread over the remaining cream cheese, sprinkle with the remaining chives, and add the remaining smoked salmon. Finish by covering with the last pastry rectangle.
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Use a sharp knife or dough scraper to slice the layered pastry from the long edge into 8 to 9 strips, each about 2 cm / ¾ inch wide. Gently stretch each strip slightly, twist it 3 to 4 times, and arrange the twists on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between each one.
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In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk with the milk, then brush the egg wash over the twists. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds or crispy sesame seeds. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the twists are puffed, golden, and crisp. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. Serve with your favourite dip, such as a simple garlic yoghurt dip made by mixing plain yoghurt with garlic granules, a pinch of salt, and chopped chives.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 9 ServingCalories:238.36kcalTotal Fat:16.43gCholesterol:22.13mgSodium:180.29mgPotassium:51.55mgTotal Carbohydrate:17.36gDietary Fiber: 0.57gSugars: 0.49gProtein:5.29gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 0.19mgCalcium: 12.24mgIron: 1.11mgVitamin D: 2IUVitamin E: 0.42IUVitamin K: 6.88mcgVitamin B6: 0.04mgVitamin B12: 0.4mcgPhosphorus: 51.76mgMagnesium: 8.71mgZinc: 0.29mg
Note
- Keep the puff pastry chilled until you are ready to use it. If it becomes too soft, place it back in the fridge for 10 minutes before slicing and twisting.
- Use room-temperature cream cheese so it spreads easily without tearing the pastry.
- Thinly sliced smoked salmon works best because it layers neatly and twists well with the pastry.
- Do not overfill the layers, as too much filling can make the twists harder to shape and may stop the pastry from puffing evenly.
- Twist the strips gently so the layers stay visible and the pastry keeps its shape.
- These twists are best served fresh while the pastry is crisp and flaky. You can serve them slightly warm or at room temperature, but they may soften a little as they sit.
- For extra flavour, serve with garlic yoghurt dip, sour cream dip, or a simple cream cheese and chive dip.
