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Spooky Witch Finger Cheese Straws: Easy Halloween Appetizer

witch finger cheese straws - featured image

These buttery, cheesy puff pastry straws are shaped like witch fingers with almond nails, making them a delightfully creepy and delicious Halloween appetizer. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are perfect for parties and movie nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 sheet (about 250g) frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 cup (100g) sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
  • 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2430 whole almonds (about 30g), skin on
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to a 12×10-inch rectangle (about 30×25 cm).
  3. In a small bowl, combine the grated cheddar, Parmesan, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
  4. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry. Gently press the cheese into the dough.
  5. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into long strips, about 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. You should get about 12-15 strips.
  6. Take each strip and gently roll it between your palms to create a rounded, finger-like shape. Pinch one end slightly to create a ‘knuckle’ and taper the other end to look like a fingertip. Use the back of a knife to press a few shallow lines into the dough to mimic knuckle creases.
  7. Press one almond, pointed side down, into the tapered end of each finger. Push it in just enough so it stays put during baking.
  8. In a small bowl, beat the egg with a teaspoon of water. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each finger with the egg wash. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top.
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the straws are puffed, golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling slightly.
  10. Transfer the baked fingers to a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep puff pastry cold for best results. Do not over-roll the dough. Press almond firmly to prevent popping off. Watch bake time to avoid burning. Can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween appetizer, witch fingers, cheese straws, puff pastry, spooky snack, easy Halloween recipe