Smoked Salmon Pastry Twists – Elegant, Savoury and Bake From Frozen Friendly
Smoked Salmon is luxurious ingredient in any appetizer. These Smoked Salmon Pastry Twists take minutes to assemble. They’re flaky, creamy, salty and golden. They are perfect for your holiday cocktail party but they would also be beautiful for a Christmas brunch. They are a cross between a smoked salmon bagel and a flaky croissant; in the best way. These are part of our Make-Ahead, Cook From Frozen Appetizer Series. Smoke Salmon Pastry Twists are simple, chic and Dash Society approved.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
They look Fancy: but will take you under 20 minutes to make
Excellent for Brunch or Cocktail Hour so you’re ready for either one.
Bright, Creamy Flavours
Is This Recipe For You
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18-20 minutes; add 3-5 minutes from frozen
Servings: 24 twists
Occasion: holiday parties, Christmas brunch, ladies night, New Year’s Eve, potluck parties
What Will You Need

Fresh
- puff pastry
- cream cheese
- dill
- sour cream
- lemons
- smoked salmon
- eggs
Pantry
- Dijon Mustard
- black pepper
- Everything Bagel Seasoning or sesame seeds

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Serves
6
Ingredients
- 1 pkg puff pastry, thawed but cold
- 2/3 cup cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- freshly ground pepper
- 150 g smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- 1 egg, whisked for egg wash
- Everything bagel seasoning, for garnish
Steps
1
Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix together; cream cheese, sour cream, dill, lemon zest, Dijon, pepper. Stir until smooth and spreadable.
2
Prepare the Pastry
- Roll our the puff pastry into a 10×14 inch rectangle.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the entire surface.
- Lay the smoked salmon slices over half of the pastry only.
- Fold the empty half over the salmon side to sandwich everything inside.
3
Cut and Twist
Cut the folded pastry into 1/2 inch strips. Gently twist each strip into a spiral. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning.
4
Freeze for Later
Freeze twists on a baking sheet for 2-3 hours or until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
5
Bake
Tips and Tricks
These Smoked Salmon Pastry Twists are lovely with a lemon-dill yogurt dip.
Variations: Try cream cheese, fig jam, and proscuitto.
Keep the Pastry Cold. Puff pastry is much easier to cut and twist when chilled. If it gets too soft, pop it back in the fridge for 5-10 minutes.
Use thin salmon slices. Thin ribbons of smoked salmon help the twists roll evenly.
Don’t overspread the filling. A thin, even layer of cream cheese prevents leakage and keeps the twists tidy and crisp.
Freeze before Baking. These twists bake best straight from frozen. They puff higher and hold their shape nicely.
FAQ
Do I need to thaw them before baking? No- bake straight from frozen. They turn out better. The pastry will not become gummy and you will have perfect flaky layers.
Can I use whipped cream cheese instead of brick? Yes, Whipped cream cheese spreads easily and gives a lighter texture.
What if I don’t like smoked salmon? You can replace it with prosciutto, cooked crab, or caramelized onions.
Can I use phyllo instead of puff pastry? They will not get the same rise or twist. I wouldn’t recommend.

Ingredients
- 1 pkg puff pastry thawed but cold
- 2/3 cup cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- freshly ground pepper
- 150 g smoked salmon thinly sliced
- 1 egg whisked for egg wash
- Everything bagel seasoning for garnish
Instructions
Make the Filling
- In a bowl, mix together; cream cheese, sour cream, dill, lemon zest, Dijon, pepper. Stir until smooth and spreadable.

Prepare the Pastry
- Roll our the puff pastry into a 10×14 inch rectangle.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the entire surface.
- Lay the smoked salmon slices over half of the pastry only.

- Fold the empty half over the salmon side to sandwich everything inside.
Cut and Twist
- Cut the folded pastry into 1/2 inch strips. Gently twist each strip into a spiral. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning.

Freeze for Later
- Freeze twists on a baking sheet for 2-3 hours or until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Bake
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake 15 minutes or until golden, flaky and sizzling. Best served warm.

- From Frozen: Add 3-5 minutes to cooking time.
Notes
Nutrition
Join the Conversation
Are these going to be at your cocktail party or holiday brunch? Let us see your beautiful golden pastries.
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