These 30-minute Pizza Twists are the definition of outstanding. With vine-ripened tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella between sheets of crispy, golden brown puff pastry, these twists make the best grab-and-go snacks you’ve ever tasted.
Who could resist anything that has to do with pizza? These puff pastry Pizza Twists make the best school lunches, easy appetizers, or fun snack on any occasion.
You can dip and go with these twists, making them a no-hassle treat for adults and kids alike. Like mozzarella sticks or cheesy bread, but way more fun!
The best part about making pizza twists is that they are so simple and fast that it can be a great hands-on activity if you have kids. Because the recipe is so customizable, everyone can make their own twists to theirliking.
All you have to do is lay down your pizza base – marinara sauce and low-moisture mozzarella cheese – on a rolled out sheet of puff pastry. Then, you can add whatever toppings you like!
You could even switch up your cheese and sauce if you want to get fancy! From pepperjack, fontina, cheddar, gouda, and so on, you have a lot of options. I’m sure even a white-sauce pizza twist would be just as mouthwatering as this classic cheese pizza is.
In the recipe I’ve shared below, I keep it super simple by adding herbs to my cheese pizza. However, you can add almost any one of your favorite toppings:
Pepperoni
Chopped spinach
Olives
Sausage
Mushrooms
Chicken
Ham
And more!
You could do pretty much anything. I would only caution you to stay away from anything that might retain a lot of liquid (like pineapple) or cook it off first, but anything else should work.
What’s great is they’re a great meal-prep snack for kids lunches. You can easily store baked pizza twists in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
And if you want to plan even further ahead or have something quick and easy to reheat for your family, you can freeze the twists for up to three months.
How to Make the Best Pizza Twists
As always, with a simple recipe, you want to emphasize your ingredients! Use good quality pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to set a great base for your twists.
I love using Bertolli Sauces because they’re made with vine-ripened tomatoes and other simple ingredients that are lightly cooked with olive oil to lock in layers of vibrant flavor. These sauces always elevate any recipe and provide outstanding, flavorful food! I used Bertolli’s olive oil and garlic sauce, but you could find any blend or variety that you prefer.
If you don’t have a marinara sauce on hand, any regular pasta sauce will work as well. Plenty of brands have exciting varieties, such as Three Cheese, Garlic, Herbs & Cheese, and so on.
Another thing that makes a world of difference is the egg wash. Brushing yolk on the puff pastry will give you a beautiful, flaky brown exterior that creates a satisfying texture and crunch for your Pizza Twists.
A yolk-only egg wash will you a golden baken. However, you are free to use a whites-only or whole-egg egg wash, which will give you a shine on your puff pastry. Either way, you can’t really mess up! If you follow the right instructions on the oven temperature and cook time, you’ll get a lovely bake on your pizza twists – without that eggy flavor or smell.
If you want to opt for a vegan version of this recipe, simple use your favorite brand of vegan cheese and use plant-based butter or an oil of your choice.