These Nutella puff pastry twists come together so fast with store bought puff pastry. Super flaky puff pastry dessert filled with chocolate hazelnut goodness. Great for quick sweet snack ideas or as a Nutella breakfast pastry when you need something easy.
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Nutella Puff Pastry Twists That Just Work
You ever have one of those moments where you are craving something sweet but you do not want to deal with a whole baking project. Yeah that is how I ended up making these Nutella puff pastry twists the first time. I had some puff pastry in the freezer and half a jar of Nutella staring at me from the counter. Figured why not.
Nutella Puff Pastry Twists
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a surface and unroll the puff pastry sheet.
- Spread Nutella evenly over one half of the pastry sheet, leaving a small border.
- Fold the pastry over to cover the Nutella, gently pressing down the edges.
- Cut the folded pastry into strips, about 1 inch wide.
- Twist each strip a few times and place on the prepared baking tray.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg if using, for a golden finish.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving, the Nutella filling will be very hot.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- Keep the pastry cold while working with it for the flakiest results.
- These are best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days, reheat in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes to crisp back up.
- For smaller party portions, cut the strips thinner before twisting.
Why I Keep Coming Back To These Nutella Puff Pastry Twists
It is kind of ridiculous how good they turn out. You just spread the stuff and twist and bake. Gets you this flaky puff pastry dessert that feels way more special than it should. The chocolate hazelnut pastry flavor hits perfect every time. My family goes nuts for them whenever I make a batch.
Last weekend I brought some to a little get together and they were gone before I could even sit down. Someone even asked if I bought them from a bakery. Nope just threw them together with this easy 3 ingredient dessert trick.
The way I usually make them
So I pull out the store bought puff pastry and let it soften up a little. Not too much though. Then I slather Nutella all over one side. Fold it or slice it into strips and start twisting them up. Some look neat some look kinda wonky but who cares. They all taste great once they bake up golden.
I throw them in the oven and wait. The smell that fills the kitchen is the best part honestly. When they come out all puffy and flaky it is hard not to eat one straight away even though they are hot.
When these Nutella puff pastry twists make sense
Mornings are nice for them. Grab a couple with your coffee and it feels like a proper Nutella breakfast pastry. Holidays work too because they fit right into easy holiday baking recipe vibes without stressing you out.
Or just random evenings when you want quick sweet snack ideas. They are perfect party dessert finger food because people can pick them up easy and keep chatting. No forks or plates needed which I am always a fan of.
Ingredients Table For Nutella Puff Pastry Twists
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Store bought puff pastry | 1 sheet | Thawed but keep it cool |
| Nutella | About half cup | Go heavier if you want more chocolate |
| Egg | 1 | Optional for brushing |
| Powdered sugar | Sprinkle | After they cool if you feel like it |
That is pretty much it. Nothing crazy right.
Stuff I have played around with
Sometimes I toss some chopped nuts on before twisting for a little crunch. Other times I skip everything extra and keep it basic. The plain version is still my favorite because it really lets the flaky puff pastry dessert shine through with that chocolate hazelnut pastry inside.
This store bought puff pastry recipe is so forgiving. Even if my twists end up looking messy they bake up beautiful anyway. That is what I like about it. No pressure.
Random tips from my kitchen
Keep the pastry coldish when you work with it. Helps it stay flaky in the end. I bake mine around 400 for maybe fifteen minutes or so. Watch them close though because every oven acts different.
Let them sit for a few minutes after baking. The Nutella gets molten hot and can burn your mouth if you are not careful. Learned that the hard way once.
You can make them ahead if you need to. Bake them earlier and just warm up when guests show up. They hold up okay for a day but fresh is definitely better.
Flavor Variations and Troubleshooting Common Problems
Once you have made these Nutella puff pastry twists a few times you start wanting to mix things up a little, and there are also a few common hiccups that happen with puff pastry that are worth knowing about before they catch you off guard.
Flavor variations to try
The basic Nutella puff pastry twists are great on their own but there is a lot of room to play around once you get the hang of the basic method.
Banana Nutella twists: Add a few thin banana slices on top of the Nutella before folding and twisting. The banana goes soft and caramelized in the oven and pairs really well with the chocolate hazelnut flavor in these Nutella puff pastry twists.
Peanut butter and Nutella swirl: Spread a thin layer of peanut butter alongside the Nutella before folding. The combo gives a salty sweet flavor that is honestly addictive, my kids ask for this version more than the plain one now.
Cinnamon sugar twist: Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar mix over the Nutella layer before folding the pastry. It adds a warm spiced note that works especially well in the colder months.
Strawberry Nutella twists: Add a thin layer of strawberry jam on top of the Nutella for a fruity version of these Nutella puff pastry twists, this one is a hit with kids especially.
Nut crunch version: Sprinkle crushed hazelnuts or almonds over the Nutella before folding for some extra crunch and a more bakery style finish.
You really cannot go wrong here, the base method for these Nutella puff pastry twists stays the same, you are just changing what goes inside before you twist.
Why is my puff pastry not puffing up properly
This happens more than people think and it is almost always one of these reasons. If your Nutella puff pastry twists come out flat or dense instead of light and flaky, the most common cause is that the pastry got too warm while you were working with it. Puff pastry relies on cold layers of butter to create steam pockets in the oven, if the butter melts into the dough before baking those layers do not form properly.
The fix is simple, work quickly and if your kitchen is warm pop the shaped twists into the fridge for 10 minutes before baking. Also make sure your oven is fully preheated before the tray goes in, putting pastry into a not quite hot enough oven is one of the biggest reasons it comes out flat.
Why does the Nutella leak out while baking
This is probably the most common complaint with these Nutella puff pastry twists. It usually happens when too much Nutella is used or when the twisting is not tight enough to seal the filling inside.
To avoid this, spread a slightly thinner layer of Nutella than you think you need, it spreads and melts a lot once it is in the oven. Also try to leave a small border around the edges of the pastry without any Nutella, this gives the dough something to seal against. If you notice a lot of leaking, lining your tray with parchment paper makes cleanup much easier and stops the leaked filling from burning onto the pan.
Why do my twists come undone in the oven
If your twists are unraveling while baking it usually means they were not twisted tightly enough or the ends were not pressed down to seal. Give each strip 3 to 4 good twists and gently press the ends onto the tray, this helps hold the shape while it puffs up in the oven.
Make ahead and freezing tips
These Nutella puff pastry twists can absolutely be prepped ahead of time which is great if you want fresh pastries without doing everything last minute. You can assemble the twists completely, place them on a tray, and freeze for about an hour until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They keep well in the freezer for up to a month.
When you are ready to bake, there is no need to fully thaw them, just place the frozen twists straight onto a baking tray and add a few extra minutes to the baking time, usually around 18 to 20 minutes at 200C works well. This way you always have a quick sweet snack ready to go whenever the craving hits.
Why these became a regular thing
I do not know there is something about these Nutella puff pastry twists that just feels comforting. Simple to do but they deliver on flavor. The flaky layers and sweet filling combo is hard to beat when you need an easy 3 ingredient dessert fast.
I mess them up sometimes and they still turn out tasty. That is the beauty. Makes me feel like a decent baker without actually being one.
Next time you got some puff pastry lying around give these a try. You will probably get hooked too. They check all the boxes for me when I want something sweet without the hassle.
FAQs
How long do these Nutella puff pastry twists last?
Best eaten the same day but they are okay for a couple days in a container. Just warm them up a bit.
Do I have to use store bought puff pastry?
You can make your own if you want but the store bought version makes it so much easier and still tastes great.
Are they more for breakfast or dessert?
Either really. They work as Nutella breakfast pastry in the morning or quick sweet snack ideas later in the day.
What if I do not have an egg?
Totally fine to skip it. They still get nice and flaky without the egg wash.
Can I make smaller ones for parties?
Yes cut the strips skinnier for bite sized party dessert finger food. They disappear fast that way.
Why is the Nutella leaking out of my puff pastry twists?
This usually happens when too much Nutella is used or the twists are not sealed tightly enough. Spread a thinner layer, leave a small border around the edges, and give each strip a few good twists to help keep the filling inside while baking.
Can I freeze Nutella puff pastry twists before baking?
Yes you can assemble the twists, freeze them on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to a month. Bake straight from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
