These flaky Cinnamon Twists are warm, sweet, and perfectly golden brown when baked, delivering that satisfying crunch that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. Made with simple ingredients like puff pastry, melted butter, and a cinnamon sugar mixture, this easy cinnamon twist recipe will remind you of the great flavors of cinnamon rolls, with a fraction of the effort.
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When I was a kid, one of my favorite things was when my Mom would bake pies. She'd inevitably have leftover pie dough and instead of just tossing it, she'd sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the top to make crispy, cinnamon-y treats that my brother and sisters and I would devour. It always felt like such a treat.
This is an easy back-pocket recipe to use when you want to wow your kids in the same way. Here's why this homemade cinnamon twists recipe is a keeper:
- Quick and easy. With ready-made puff pastry, there's no need to worry about rising time or complicated dough. In fact, you don't have to be making a pie at all to make these little twists. It's a fast way to make a fresh-baked treat!
- Perfectly sweet. The cinnamon sugar mixture adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Great for any occasion. These twists work as a breakfast item, a holiday treat, or an afternoon snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Family-friendly. This recipe is so much fun to make with kids! They'll love helping you twist and shape the dough strips.
Key Ingredients
You only need three to make these easy cinnamon twists:
- Puff pastry. Store-bought puff pastry provides a quick, flaky base for this recipe. Thaw it at room temperature until it's pliable for easy rolling. Of course, if you happen to have leftover pie dough, that works wonderfully too.
- Melted butter. Brushed over the dough to help the cinnamon sugar stick and give the twists a golden, flaky finish.
- Cinnamon sugar mixture. A classic combination of cinnamon and sugar that adds warmth and sweetness.
How to Make Cinnamon Twists
Making these quick snacks is a cinch. Here's how to do it:
- Prepare puff pastry. Roll out the puff pastry into a large rectangle using a rolling pin. Slice it into thin ½-inch strips with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Add the butter and cinnamon sugar. Brush dough with melted butter using a pastry brush, then sprinkle a generous layer of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. (I like to keep a big batch of cinnamon sugar on hand.)
- Form the twists. Fold each of the thin strips in half, pressing the ends of the dough gently together, then twist each folded dough strip in opposite directions to create the cinnamon twist shape.
- Bake. Sprinkle again with cinnamon sugar and bake on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper until the twists until they're a delicious golden brown color (about 8-10 minutes). Watch them carefully so they don't burn!
- Cool and serve. Let the cinnamon twists cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving them up! Serve warm with a drizzle of cream cheese icing, caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra sweet treat!
Variations and Substitutions
There are lots of different ways you can change up this simple recipe:
- Pie crust twists. Pie crust is probably the OG of this recipe so feel free to swap the puff pastry for pie crust dough to make a version similar to pie crust cinnamon twists.
- Add some brown sugar. I love the simple cinnamon mixture used here but adding a touch of brown sugar gives these twists a rich flavor.
- Extra toppings. Drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the twists once they're out of the oven for a special treat.
- Savory twist. Try using crescent roll dough with a sprinkle of Parmesan and garlic powder for a more savory snack.
- Add a glaze. Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze, made by mixing powdered sugar with a little milk or sour cream for a light icing. Yum!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cinnamon twists are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to re-crisp them, place them in a preheated 350°F oven for a few minutes.
Certainly! While puff pastry gives a flaky texture, you can also use crescent roll dough, pizza dough, or even leftover pie crust. These will all have their own unique flavor and texture so play around and see what you like best!
Brushing the melted butter over the puff pastry before sprinkling on the cinnamon sugar mixture helps it adhere better. Gently pressing the cinnamon sugar into the dough before twisting can also help.
I love these twists served warm, straight from the oven. You can also serve them with a dip like cream cheese icing or caramel sauce, add them to a bowl of vanilla ice cream, or simply enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Cinnamon sugar is such a versatile spice mix to have on hand so I always make a big batch. The best cinnamon sugar ratio for me is 1:4, or 1 cup sugar and ¼ cup cinnamon.
These cinnamon twists are so easy to make and deliver big flavor without a lot of work. Perfect for Christmas morning, weekend brunch, or whenever the craving for something sweet hits!
If you try these Homemade Cinnamon Twists, let me know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram with a pic!
More Easy Snacks
- Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
- Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips
- Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins Made With Yogurt
- Soft Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
- Tajin Watermelon
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
- Spicy Caramel Popcorn
- Salt And Pepper Cashews
Recipe
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Twists Using Puff Pastry
Ingredients
- 17.3 oz puff pastry (1 package)
- 3 tablespoon melted butter
- 4 tablespoon cinnamon-sugar mixture Grab my recipe for cinnamon sugar here.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet and set aside.
- Roll out the puff pastry onto a floured surface and cut into ½-inch strips.
- Brush the melted butter across the strips, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the tops.
- Fold each strip in half and press the ends together gently. Twist the dough in opposite directions to form the cinnamon twist.
- Place the cinnamon twists on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, checking often to make sure they don't burn.
Notes
- Watch the twists carefully in the oven to make sure they don't burn!
- Make a big batch of cinnamon sugar while you're at it - it's so handy to have for so many dishes?
Sarah says
My favorite way to use leftover pie dough, but also easy to do with puff pastry. Simple snacks and fun to make with my kids.