🧀🌶️ Cheesy Pepperoni Twists

These Cheesy Pepperoni Twists are crispy, flaky, cheesy, and packed with classic pizza flavor. They’re made with puff pastry, mozzarella, pepperoni, pizza sauce, and Italian seasoning, then twisted and baked until beautifully golden.

🛒 Ingredients

For the twists

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup pepperoni, finely chopped or mini pepperoni
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp water

Optional

  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • Extra mozzarella for topping
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the puff pastry

Place the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.

Gently roll it out until it’s approximately 10 × 12 inches.

Don’t roll it too thin—you want enough pastry to puff up around the filling.

3. Prepare the seasoning

In a small bowl, mix:

  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Optional red pepper flakes
  • Oregano

Set aside.

4. Add the pizza sauce 🍅

Spread approximately ½ cup pizza sauce over one half of the puff pastry.

Leave about ½ inch around the edges so the filling doesn’t squeeze out when you seal the pastry. This half-sheet method is also used in published pepperoni pizza twist recipes.

5. Add cheese 🧀

Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the pizza sauce.

Don’t pile everything in the center—spread it close to the edges for an even filling.

6. Add pepperoni

Scatter the chopped pepperoni evenly over the mozzarella.

For an extra-pepperoni flavor, you can use mini pepperoni slices.

7. Add seasonings

Sprinkle about half of the Italian seasoning mixture over the pepperoni and cheese.

Then sprinkle 2 tablespoons Parmesan over the top.

8. Fold the pastry

Carefully fold the plain half of the puff pastry over the filled half.

Gently press around the edges to seal the two layers together.

If some filling escapes, simply push it back inside.

9. Chill the pastry ❄️

For easier cutting and twisting, place the filled pastry in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes.

This firms up the butter in the puff pastry and makes the strips easier to handle.

10. Cut into strips

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into approximately 8–10 strips, each about 1 inch wide.

Try to keep the strips similar in size so they bake evenly. Published pizza-twist recipes use strips around 1 inch wide.

11. Twist

Pick up one strip by both ends.

Gently twist the ends in opposite directions about 3–4 times.

Don’t twist too aggressively or the filling will squeeze out.

Place each twist on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.

12. Make the egg wash 🥚

Whisk together:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp water

Brush the egg wash lightly over each twist.

This gives the pastry a beautiful golden, shiny finish.

13. Add the final topping

Sprinkle the remaining Italian seasoning mixture and Parmesan over the twists.

For extra cheesiness, add a small amount of shredded mozzarella on top.

14. Bake

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 18–20 minutes.

They’re ready when:

  • The puff pastry is golden brown
  • The cheese is melted
  • The pastry has puffed up
  • The edges are crisp

Similar pepperoni twists bake for about 18–20 minutes at 400°F.

15. Cool slightly

Remove from the oven and allow the twists to cool for 5 minutes.

The cheese will be extremely hot when they first come out.

Garnish with a little fresh parsley if desired.

🍕 Easy Dipping Sauce

Serve warm with:

Quick Pizza Dip

  • ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes

Warm everything together for 1–2 minutes and serve alongside the twists.

⭐ Tips for the Best Pepperoni Twists

Keep the pastry cold: If the puff pastry becomes soft while you’re working, refrigerate it for 10 minutes.

Don’t overfill: Too much sauce or cheese can make the twists difficult to seal and cause filling to leak during baking.

Use freshly shredded mozzarella: It melts especially nicely and gives you those delicious cheesy strands.

Don’t skip the egg wash: It creates the golden-brown appearance.

Chill before cutting: This is one of the easiest ways to get cleaner, more attractive twists.

Twist gently: A few turns are enough. Over-twisting can cause the pastry to tear.

🌶️ Variations

🧄 Garlic Parmesan

Add an extra ½ tsp garlic powder and brush the baked twists with garlic butter.

🔥 Spicy Pepperoni

Add:

  • Red pepper flakes
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Hot Italian pepperoni

🧀 Three-Cheese

Use:

  • ½ cup mozzarella
  • ½ cup cheddar
  • ¼ cup Parmesan

🫑 Supreme Pizza Twists

Add a small amount of finely chopped:

  • Bell pepper
  • Black olives
  • Mushrooms

Make sure vegetables are well-drained so they don’t add excess moisture.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store completely cooled twists in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.

For the best texture, reheat them in:

Oven: 350°F for 5–8 minutes
Air fryer: 350°F for 3–5 minutes

Avoid microwaving if you want them crispy—the pastry can become soft.

🍽️ Recipe at a Glance

Prep: 10–15 minutes
Chill: 10–15 minutes
Bake: 18–20 minutes
Total: About 40–50 minutes
Yield: 8–10 twists
Difficulty: Easy
Best served: Warm with pizza sauce for dipping 🍕🧀