Twisted Garlic Puffs: Flaky, Creamy, and Irresistibly Herby
Discover the ultimate savoury treat with these Twisted Garlic Puffs — flaky puff pastry enveloping a smooth, roasted garlic and cream cheese filling with a burst of fresh coriander. Perfect for brunch, parties, or a quick snack, these little twists are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Every bite combines buttery pastry, mellow roasted garlic, and creamy cheese for an irresistible flavour explosion.
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Scroll down or tap ‘Jump to Recipe’ to make these irresistible Twisted Garlic Puffs yourself.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavours
What makes these Twisted Garlic Puffs so special is how a few simple ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary. Every component works in harmony to create layers of flavour and texture:
- Garlic: Roasting the whole bulb until soft and golden brings out a sweet, mellow flavour that forms the base of the creamy filling.
- Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature for a smooth, spreadable texture that blends perfectly with the roasted garlic.
- Fresh coriander: Adds a bright, herbaceous note that lifts the richness of the filling.
- Puff pastry: Ready-rolled puff pastry makes assembling these twists easy while creating crisp, golden layers with every bake.
- Egg wash: A simple brush of egg yolk and milk ensures a glossy, golden finish that looks as good as it tastes.
How to Make Twisted Garlic Puffs
Preparing the Filling
Preheat the oven and roast a whole garlic bulb until the cloves are buttery soft and lightly golden. Roasting develops a sweet, mellow flavour and ensures the garlic blends smoothly with the cream cheese. Once cooled, squeeze the roasted cloves into a mixing bowl. Mash them with a fork, then stir in the cream cheese and finely chopped coriander. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. The result is a smooth, aromatic filling that spreads easily onto the pastry.
Shaping the Puffs
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and spread the garlic mixture evenly across it. Cut the pastry sheet into six equal squares, then cut each square into six strips, about 2 cm wide.
Stack five strips neatly on top of each other, keeping the filling sides facing up, then flip the last strip so the filling faces down and place it on top. Cut the stack lengthwise in half to create two thinner layered strips
Place one strip flat on the work surface with the layers facing up. Lay the second strip across it diagonally and twist both ends to form a rope-like shape.
You will now have two loose ends on each side. Take one loose end from one side and one from the opposite side, bring them toward the centre,
overlap, and pinch them together. Repeat with the remaining two ends, tucking them underneath to form a neat, secure puff. Repeat this process with the remaining pastry squares. This twisting technique gives the puffs their signature look and ensures the filling stays contained while baking.
Baking to Perfection
Arrange the twisted puffs on a lined baking tray. Brush them with egg wash for a glossy, golden finish. Bake until puffed, golden, and crisp — the oven transforms the pastry into airy, flaky layers that perfectly complement the creamy filling. Serve warm for the ultimate indulgence.
For the full printable recipe with exact measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
Tips for Perfect Puffs
- Garlic roasting: Don’t rush the garlic; soft, golden cloves are key to a smooth, sweet filling.
- Room temperature cream cheese: This ensures easy spreading and prevents tearing the delicate pastry.
- Puff pastry handling: Keep the pastry cold while working; if it softens, chill for 10–15 minutes to retain maximum puff.
- Twisting technique: Consistent strip widths and firmly pinched ends prevent the twists from unravelling.
- Baking: Brush with egg wash just before baking for a glossy finish. Underbaked pastry may be soggy, so wait until the puffs are fully golden and crisp.
Serving and Enjoying
Twisted Garlic Puffs are best enjoyed fresh from the oven while the pastry is still warm and flaky. They make a perfect party appetiser, brunch accompaniment, or indulgent snack. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days and re-crisped in the oven at 160°C (325°F) for a few minutes.
Variations to Try
- Add a pinch of chilli flakes or smoked paprika to the garlic cream cheese for a subtle kick.
- Mix in finely grated parmesan for extra savoury depth.
- Swap coriander for chives, thyme, or parsley for a slightly different herbal note.
Why We Love Twisted Garlic Puffs
These puffs are the perfect combination of flaky, creamy, and herby. Roasted garlic gives a sweet, mellow depth, while the cream cheese adds a silky texture that pairs beautifully with crisp pastry layers. The twists are visually impressive, making them ideal for entertaining — yet they’re simple enough to whip up for a casual snack.
The magic lies in the contrast of textures: crisp, buttery pastry outside and soft, aromatic filling inside. Each puff is a little bite of indulgence, packed with flavour but light enough to enjoy several without feeling heavy.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether it’s a brunch with friends, a festive gathering, or just a treat to enjoy with tea or coffee, Twisted Garlic Puffs fit the bill. They look beautiful on a serving platter, are easy to transport, and taste as good warm as they do slightly cooled. The recipe is also versatile — you can customise the filling with different herbs, spices, or cheese to suit your taste.
Instagram Tutorial & More
Watch our quick Twisted Garlic Puffs video on Instagram and learn how to make these golden, flaky twists in no time. While you’re there, don’t miss other delicious pastry recipes like:
- Cottage Cheese Tomato Puffs
- Cheesy Pesto Tomato Puffs
- Cheesy Chicken and Courgette Rolls
- Cheesy Pesto Puff Squares
- Pesto Puff Pastry Buns
- Puff Stick Bites
- Pesto Tomato Puffs with Garlic Yoghurt Dip
- Sausage Mozzarella Puffs
Happy baking,
Izabella
Description
These Twisted Garlic Puffs are the ultimate mix of creamy, flaky, and aromatic goodness. Golden puff pastry envelopes a smooth roasted garlic and cream cheese filling, brightened with fresh coriander. They bake into crisp, airy twists that are light yet packed with flavour — perfect for brunch, parties, or a quick savoury snack.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) on the convection setting, and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
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Place the garlic bulb cut side up in a small ovenproof dish. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 30–35 minutes, or until the cloves are buttery soft and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and leave to cool until safe to handle. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add the cream cheese, chopped coriander, and a little more salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
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Unroll the puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface to form a rectangle about 24 × 36 cm (9½ × 14 inches). Spread the garlic mixture evenly across the surface, reaching right to the edges. Cut the pastry into 6 equal squares (about 8 × 8 cm / 3 × 3 inches each).Slice each square into 6 narrow strips, roughly 2 cm (¾ inch) wide. Stack the strips neatly on top of each other, keeping the filling sides facing up, then flip the top strip so the filling faces down. Cut the stack lengthwise in half to create two thinner layered strips.
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Place one strip flat on the work surface, layers facing up. Lay the second strip across it diagonally and twist both ends to form a rope-like shape. You’ll have two loose ends on each side. Take one loose end from one side and one from the opposite side, bring them toward the centre, overlap and pinch them together. Repeat with the remaining two ends and tuck them underneath to create a neat, secure puff. Repeat with the remaining pastry squares.
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Arrange the puffs on the prepared tray. Whisk together the egg yolk and milk, then brush the mixture over each puff for that glossy golden finish. Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden, crisp, and beautifully puffed. Serve warm — the flaky pastry, roasted garlic, and creamy filling make these little twists impossible to resist.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 ServingCalories:399.89kcalTotal Fat:28.82gSaturated Fat: 9.2gTrans Fat: 0.19gCholesterol:41.32mgSodium:200.08mgPotassium:130.47mgTotal Carbohydrate:29.68gDietary Fiber: 1.21gSugars: 1.32gProtein:6.26gVitamin A: 83.5IUVitamin C: 4.39mgCalcium: 47.11mgIron: 1.79mgVitamin D: 0.15IUVitamin E: 0.79IUVitamin K: 30.75mcgThiamin: 0.25mgRiboflavin: 0.23mgNiacin: 2.51mgVitamin B6: 0.14mgFolate: 16.65mcgVitamin B12: 0.09mcgPhosphorus: 78.63mgMagnesium: 14.74mgZinc: 0.57mg
Note
- Garlic roasting: Roast the garlic until soft and lightly golden — this develops a sweet, mellow flavour and ensures it blends smoothly with the cream cheese.
- Cream cheese texture: Using cream cheese at room temperature makes spreading and twisting easier, giving a smooth, even filling.
- Puff pastry handling: Work quickly to keep the pastry cold for maximum lift. If it starts to soften or become sticky, chill it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before continuing.
- Twisting technique: Consistent strip width is key for neat, uniform twists. Pinch overlapping ends firmly and tuck them underneath to prevent unravelling during baking.
- Baking tips: Brush with egg wash just before baking for a glossy, golden finish. Bake until fully puffed and crisp — underbaked pastry may be soggy.
- Serving suggestions: Best served warm, straight from the oven. If made ahead, reheat in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Storage: Store cooled puffs in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Re-crisp in the oven before serving.
- Variations: Add a pinch of chilli flakes, smoked paprika, or finely grated parmesan to the garlic cream cheese for extra depth of flavour. Fresh herbs like thyme or chives also work beautifully.
