Air fryer recipe · Snacks
Cheddar Cheese Straws
Crisp, twisty puff-pastry straws loaded with sharp cheddar and a whisper of cayenne heat.
- 12 minTotal time
- 175°CAir fryer
- 3Serves
- Contains eggDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 240kcal
- 14.7 gprotein
- 1.4 gcarbs
- 19.2 gfat
- 0.1 gfibre
Per serving, about 3 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- Puff pastry sheet1
- Sharp cheddar1 cup grated
- Egg wash1 egg
- Cayenne pepper1/4 tsp
- Sea salt1/2 tsp
Method
Prep the pastry
Roll the thawed puff pastry out flat on a floured surface and brush it lightly with egg wash. The wash helps the cheese stick to the pastry and bakes into a glossy, golden finish on the straws.
Add the cheese
Scatter the grated cheddar evenly over the pastry and season with the cayenne and sea salt. Press the cheese in gently so it melts into the layers as it bakes rather than falling off in the basket.
Cut into strips
Slice the pastry into ribbons about one centimetre wide with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. A clean, firm cut keeps the layers open at the edges so they puff and crisp instead of sealing shut.
Twist the straws
Twist each strip several times into a tight spiral and press the ends down to hold. The twists trap little pockets of cheese along the length, which crisp into savoury, golden nubs as they cook.
Air-fry until crisp
Lay the straws in a single layer and air-fry at 175C for 9 min until deep golden and crisp right through. Cool them fully on a rack so air circulates underneath and they stay snappy rather than going soft.
