Bacon Puff Pastry Pizza Twists

I love to make appetizers. Truth be told, I could make a dinner out of my favorites and be happy as a lark. I mean, how could you not like little bites of deliciousness like Air Fryer Ravioli or Meatball Sliders, or dip into the warm yumminess of Spinach dip or Cheddar Cheese Fondue? OK, you got me, I'll take one of each!

Why You'll Love This Puff Pastry Pizza Appetizer

• It's super easy to make with only 5 ingredients
• Tastes like your favorite pizza
• Only 20 minutes of prep and you can prepare it ahead of time
• Fun, pull-apart finger food
• AND you get to dip it into your favorite sauce - marinara, ranch or garlic butter

Pizza Twists Variations

Dough - use refrigerated pizza dough in place of the puff pastry

Cheese - opt for cheddar or provolone in place of the mozzarella and top with some grated parmesan

Meat - change out the bacon for strips of pepperoni, prosciutto, Italian salami or deli ham

Toppings (or in this case stuffings) - add in slightly sauteed chopped peppers, onions, mushrooms, or opt for a meatier filling with cooked Italian sausage

Shape - Don't feel like doing the pull-apart thing? It's just as easy to make these into twisted strips by rolling each puff pastry sheet into a rectangle, filling as directed, then cutting into individual strips before adding bacon and twisting. Baking time is the same.

Ingredients

Puff Pastry - easy to find in the frozen foods aisle. This pastry dough makes the lightest, tastiest pizza twists. You can also use pizza dough but the result will be a bit heavier.

Mozzarella Cheese - a good melty cheese that makes them ooey-gooey delicious. Any good melting cheese would work here such as gruyere, fontina, provolone or gouda.

Marinara - choose your favorite or get adventurous and try a pesto or vodka sauce

Bacon - gives the twists a nice salty, smoky, meaty taste. Of course, the traditional pepperoni works great as well.

Egg - results in a beautiful golden brown puff pastry

Parmesan Cheese - 'cause why not? Extra cheese and one with a little bite gives this appetizer added cheesiness.

How to Make Pizza Twists

1. Let your puff pastry sheets thaw on the counter for about 40 minutes prior to unfolding then roll out so that you can cut a 10" circle.
2. Place a plate or bowl that has a 10-inch wide diameter over the top of the dough and run a pizza cutter or sharp knife around edge.

3. Remove excess dough then repeat with other puff pastry sheet.

4. Spread marinara on top of one puff pastry circle. Make sure to keep the filling within ½" of edge.
5. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over sauce.
6. Place the 2nd puff pastry sheet over the filling.
7. Crimp edges or use a fork to help seal then place a 2" diamter glass over the center of the filled puff pastry.
8. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into quarters up to the glass.
9. Cut each of the quarters into 4ths. You will have 16 wedges.

10. Cut the bacon in half and then in thirds and lay strips down the center of each wedge.

How to Twist Puff Pastry

11. To twsit each wedge, grab the end with your fingers and twist 2-3 times. Twist adjacent wedges in opposite directions.

12. Continue until all wedges have been twisted.

13. Whisk the egg well then, using a pastry brush, brush on a coating of egg wash. This will help the puff pastry come out nice and golden.

14. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over egg wash.

15. Twisted pizza is ready to bake. Pop it in a 375-degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cover if the top gets too done prior to the recommended time.

Once these puff pastry twists are done, grab yourself a piece fast before it's all gone! And try not to argue too heatedly over who gets that cheesy middle piece! Once removed, you can set that warm bowl of marinara in its place.

Serve this puff pastry pizza, or as I like to call it Twisted Pizza, with your favorite dipping sauce. I love marinara but it goes equally well with ranch dressing and garlic butter sauce. Go ahead, pull, dip, and stuff in your mouth for total cheesy finger food deliciousness. Enjoy!

How to Prepare Pizza Twists in Advance

If you'd like to get a headstart on your party appetizers this is a great one to make early the day of or even the day before. Make the recipe as directed but don't brush with the egg wash. Then cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and store the pizza twists in the refrigerator until just before your guests arrive. Just prior to baking, brush with the egg wash and bake as directed.

More Delicious Appetizer Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Wings - are deliciously crispy air-fried wings with no breading and come out moist and flavorful. Gluten-free, low carb and keto friendly.

Oven-Baked Zucchini Chips - help you satisfy that crispy, salty craving in a deliciously healthy way.

Wonton Taco Cups from A Mind Full Mom - are a mini version of your favorite tacos in appetizer form.

Pepperoni Pizza Pockets - are ooey gooey, cheesy hot pockets of pepperoni and cheese enclosed in a flaky biscuit and baked to a golden brown.

Find lots of easy appetizer recipes for game day or any fun occasion here on 2CM!