These air fryer cheese straws are crispy and delicious, with a sharp cheddar flavour and a crunchy scattering of poppy seeds. Made with ready rolled puff pastry, they’re ready in minutes.
They’re perfect as a snack, or as a starter, and can be enjoyed on their own or with your favourite dip.
To make them, you’ll just need four ingredients: puff pastry, cheese, egg and poppy seeds.
If you want an extra tasty treat, try to get all butter puff pastry.
It’s usually a little more expensive but you’ll be able to tell the difference versus vegetable fat based pastry.
The method is easy: you’ll sandwich the shredded cheese between two layers of pastry, cut them into strips, then gently twist each strip before placing in the air fryer basket.
A brush of egg and a sprinkle of poppy seeds ensures a crisp, shiny finish with a little crunch.
They bake up super fast in the air fryer and are so pleasing to bite or tear into.
Read on for the full recipe with detailed instructions and a helpful photograph for every step. And if you have any questions, just leave me a comment. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 320 g (11.3 oz) puff pastry
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cheddar cheese grated
- 1 medium free range egg beaten
- Pinch black pepper
- Pinch smoked paprika
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
Equipment
- Pastry brush
Instructions
Take the pastry out of the fridge 10 minutes before you unroll it. This will help avoid cracks.
Cut the pastry to give two halves.
Cover one side with the grated cheese.
Sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper and a pinch of paprika.
Fold the other piece of pastry on top with the backing paper and press down gently all over.
Peel back the paper and cut the pastry into 16 lengths.
Pick up a length and twist it several times (turning one end on way and one the other) to give the classic twisted cheese straw shape.
Place the straws with some space between them in your air fryer basket on the grill tray. I can fit 6 at a time in mine.
Brush with beaten egg.
Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Set the air fryer to 200C and cook for 6 minutes - you can go up to 8 minutes if you like them very dark and crisp.
Cool on a wire rack.
You can serve them totally cooled, or still warm - whichever you prefer.
Enjoy!
Once you've given my recipe a go, I'd love you to come back and leave a comment letting me know how yours turned out.
I'd love to see your videos and pics, too! Just tag me on social media. I'm @emilylearycooks on Twitter and TikTok or @amummytoo on Instagram.
Print this Air Fryer Cheese Straws with Puff Pastry recipe
Air Fryer Cheese Straws with Puff Pastry Recipe
Ingredients
- 320 g (11.3 oz) puff pastry
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cheddar cheese grated
- 1 medium free range egg beaten
- Pinch black pepper
- Pinch smoked paprika
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
Equipment
- Pastry brush
Instructions
- Take the pastry out of the fridge 10 minutes before you unroll it. This will help avoid cracks.
- Cut the pastry to give two halves.
- Cover one side with the grated cheese.
- Sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper and a pinch of paprika.
- Fold the other piece of pastry on top with the backing paper and press down gently all over.
- Peel back the paper and cut the pastry into 16 lengths.
- Pick up a length and twist it several times (turning one end on way and one the other) to give the classic twisted cheese straw shape.
- Place the straws with some space between them in your air fryer basket on the grill tray. I can fit 6 at a time in mine.
- Brush with beaten egg, then sprinkle with poppy seeds.
- Set the air fryer to 200C and cook for 6 minutes - you can go up to 8 minutes if you like them very dark and crisp.
- Cool on a wire rack. You can serve them totally cooled, or still warm - whichever you prefer!
Nutrition
More air fryer recipes to try
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