Cheesy Bacon Puff Pastry Twists are a Party-Appetizer WIN

I’m not the biggest football fan, but I am a fan of the Super Bowl. Just like so many other people, I’m there for the food. Soft pretzels, wings, nachos, chips, cookies, dips, veggie platters–I love all the Super Bowl dishes! But I do think the lineup could use a new addition, and its name is Cheesy Bacon Puff Pastry Twists.

These little Super Bowl appetizers are crazy simple to make, but they make it look like you tried *really* hard. No one needs to know that all you needed to make these was puff pastry, cheddar cheese, bacon, and less than an hour’s time.

Add just a handful of extra pantry staples + 10 more minutes (not even, because you can make this while the twists bake!), and you can also have a silky smooth, homemade cheddar cheese dip to dunk your bacon puff pastry twists into! There’s no such thing as too much cheese when it comes to super bowl dishes–especially if you live in Wisconsin like I do.

This is a game-day appetizer at it’s finest: cheesy, carby, hot food that’s best served piled high on a platter with more cheese on the side. (Of course!) Scroll for the full recipe and prepare to be the MVP of any Super Bowl party you attend!

Bacon Puff Pastry Twists

Prep time: 55 minutes

Serves: 16 people

Ingredients:

For the twists:

• 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 12 pieces uncooked bacon
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

For the cheese dip:

• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 and 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup grated (the powdery kind) parmesan cheese
• Salt + pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour your counter and roll out one sheet of the puff pastry until it’s about 11 or 12 by 10 inches.
3. Place on prepared pan and sprinkle on ½ cup of the cheddar cheese. Lay out six pieces of bacon and leave enough room to cut between the slices.
4. Slice the whole thing into six pieces: one piece of bacon per twist. Grab both ends of each piece of dough and twist towards the center twice to form the twists. Chill the pan full of twists for five minutes.
5. Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush onto the twists after chilling. Bake for 24-27 minutes, until the twists are deep golden brown. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry. Note: These are best enjoyed fresh from the oven while they’re hot and crisp. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days and reheat in the oven if desired, however.

For the cheese dip:

1. While the twists bake, make the cheese dip. Set out all ingredients before you start to avoid burning anything later. Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour, and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly.
3. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring until it thickens–it should be thick but still pourable.
4. Add the cheese in small handfuls, whisking well until all the cheese is mixed in before adding more. This will help prevent a grainy, clumpy cheese sauce. Add salt + pepper to taste and stir to mix in.
5. Store leftover cheese dip tightly covered in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in a small saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Adding a splash of milk can help when you’re reheating it, so it melts back up nice and smooth.

Show us your Super Bowl dishes on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus–and shop comfy pieces to wear while watching the big game here!