These vegan puff pastry twists are a crisp, flaky air fryer snack made with store-bought puff pastry, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and a little oil. The pastry is seasoned, rolled into thin logs, twisted, and air fried until golden brown.
They have a savory, cheese-like flavor without dairy, Parmesan cheese, or egg wash. Serve them as an appetizer, lunchbox snack, or crunchy side with soup or dip.For another simple puff pastry snack, try these air fryer puff pastry biscuits. You may also like these filled vegan mince puffs.
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Air fryer twisties - Video recipe
Why Make These in the Air Fryer?
The air fryer cooks puff pastry quickly and gives the twists a crisp, flaky texture with very little added oil. It is convenient for making a small batch without heating a full oven.
Quick Summary: Keep the pastry cold, spread the garlic and nutritional yeast mixture evenly, shape the rolls, then air fry until puffed and golden.
For another easy vegan pastry snack with a savory filling, try these air fryer tofu puffs.
Ingredients
- Vegan puff pastry sheets: Check the package because not every puff pastry brand is dairy-free.
- Nutritional yeast flakes: Add a savory, cheese-like flavor without dairy.
- Garlic powder: Seasons the pastry without adding extra moisture.
- Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and encourages even browning.
- Salt: Adjust according to the saltiness of the puff pastry.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Pastry brush
- Small bowl
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
How to Make Vegan Puff Pastry Twists
1. Season the puff pastry sheets
Leave the puff pastry sheets at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are flexible but still cold. Mix the nutritional yeast flakes, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl.
Cut each 30 cm by 30 cm pastry sheet into four equal pieces. Brush the surfaces lightly with oil, then spread the seasoning mixture evenly over each piece.
2. Roll the seasoned pastry
Starting from one edge, roll each pastry square into a long cylinder. Roll firmly enough to hold the shape without pressing out the flaky pastry layers.
You can leave the rolls straight to make puff pastry sticks or twist them gently to create a spiral shape.
3. Shape the pastry twists
Hold one end of a pastry roll in each hand and gently twist in opposite directions. Make three to four turns, then pinch the ends lightly to help the twist keep its shape.
Pro Tip: If the pastry becomes soft or sticky while shaping, refrigerate the prepared twists for 5 to 10 minutes. Cold pastry holds its shape and puffs more evenly.
4. Place the twists in the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C or 355°F for 5 minutes. Brush or spray the basket lightly with oil, then arrange the twists in a single layer.
Leave a little space between each twist so the pastry can expand and the hot air can circulate. Cook in batches if your air fryer basket is small.
5. Air fry until golden brown
Air fry the puff pastry twists for 10 to 12 minutes. Check them after 5 to 6 minutes and gently turn them with tongs if one side is browning faster. If they are browning evenly, leave them in place and continue cooking.
Transfer the cooked twists to a wire rack and allow them to cool. They become crisper as they cool.
Savory Puff Pastry Twist Variations
For spicy garlic twists, add chilli flakes or cayenne pepper to the nutritional yeast mixture. Add dried oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning for herbed pastry twists.
Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything seasoning over the oiled pastry before rolling. You can also replace some of the nutritional yeast with dairy-free Parmesan.
For shorter appetizer twists, cut each rolled pastry piece in half before twisting. Begin checking them a little earlier because smaller pieces may cook faster.
Substitutions
Use dairy-free Parmesan instead of nutritional yeast flakes. If the recipe does not need to be vegan, regular grated Parmesan cheese can also be used.
Replace oil with melted vegan butter or brush the pastry lightly with unsweetened plant milk. No egg wash is required.
Use onion powder or a salt-free herb seasoning instead of garlic powder. Check the puff pastry package carefully because some brands contain butter, milk, or other animal-derived ingredients.
Storage and Reheating
Allow the puff pastry twists to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To restore their crisp texture, reheat the twists in the air fryer at 160°C or 320°F for 2 to 3 minutes. Let them cool briefly before serving.
Related recipes
Vegan Puff Pastry Twists in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air fryer
- pastry brush
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 2 vegan puff pastry sheets approximately 30 cm by 30 cm each
- ½ tablespoon oil for brushing
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder adjust as per taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Remove the puff pastry sheets from the freezer and thaw them for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep them cold and slightly firm.
- Combine the nutritional yeast flakes, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into four equal squares.
- Brush each square lightly with oil and sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the surface.
- Roll each square from one edge into a long, firm cylinder.
- Hold both ends and twist the pastry three to four times. Pinch the ends gently.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C or 355°F for 5 minutes.
- Lightly oil the air fryer basket and arrange the pastry twists in one layer.
- Air fry for 16-18 minutes, turning carefully halfway through cooking.
- Remove the twists when they are puffed and golden brown. Cool them on a wire rack before serving or storing.
Video
Notes
FAQs
Yes. Puff pastry cooks well in a preheated air fryer and becomes crisp, flaky, and golden. Arrange it in a single layer with enough room to expand, and check it near the end because cooking times can vary between air fryers.
Some store-bought puff pastry sheets are vegan, but others contain butter, milk, or animal-derived fats. Read the ingredient list and choose a package marked vegan or dairy-free.
Keep the pastry cold before cooking, preheat the air fryer, avoid overcrowding the basket, and cook the twists until evenly golden. Cool them on a wire rack and store them only after they are completely cool.
Conclusion
These vegan puff pastry twists are an easy way to turn frozen pastry sheets into a crisp, savory air fryer snack. Nutritional yeast gives them a cheese-like flavor, while garlic powder adds seasoning without making the pastry wet.
Keep the pastry cold, leave space between the twists, and cook them until puffed and golden for the best flaky texture. Serve them with soup, dips, or enjoy them as a simple snack.
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