Mary Berry Cheese Straws Recipe

Mary Berry Cheese Straws are crisp, buttery pastry twists packed with sharp cheddar flavour and a delicate hint of mustard. They bake up beautifully golden with a flaky, crumbly texture that makes them perfect for serving with drinks or as a savoury snack. This is a simple, reliable recipe that even beginner bakers can master. From start to finish, the cheese straws take around 35 minutes to prepare and bake.

Ingredients

For the Cheese Straw Pastry

• 225g plain flour
• 100g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 150g mature cheddar cheese, finely grated
• 1 tsp English mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 to 4 tbsp cold water

For the Topping

• 1 egg, beaten
• 25g mature cheddar cheese, finely grated
• Freshly ground black pepper

How to Make Mary Berry Cheese Straws

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment so the cheese straws bake evenly and do not stick.
• Make the pastry: Place the flour and salt into a large bowl. Rub the chilled butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Add the cheese and flavourings: Stir in the grated cheddar, mustard powder and cayenne pepper until evenly distributed.
• Form the dough: Gradually add cold water, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Bring the mixture together with your hands but avoid overworking the pastry.
• Roll out the pastry: Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough into a rectangle about 3mm thick.
• Brush and top: Brush the surface lightly with beaten egg. Sprinkle the extra grated cheese and a little black pepper evenly over the top.
• Cut and twist: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the pastry into long thin strips. Twist each strip gently and place onto the prepared baking tray.
• Bake: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until puffed, crisp and golden brown.
• Cool: Transfer to a wire rack and allow the cheese straws to cool slightly before serving. They will crisp up further as they cool.

Tips for Perfect Cheese Straws

Why are my cheese straws not crispy?

If the pastry is rolled too thick or underbaked, the straws may stay soft. Roll the dough thinly and bake until deep golden for the best crisp texture.

Can I use ready-made puff pastry?

Yes. Ready-made puff pastry works well if you want a quicker version. Simply add the cheese topping, cut, twist and bake.

Which cheese works best?

A strong mature cheddar gives the most flavour. You can also mix in Parmesan for a deeper savoury taste.

How thin should the pastry be?

Roll the dough to roughly 3mm thick. This ensures the cheese straws bake evenly and become crisp without burning.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm as a savoury party snack
• Pair with soups or salads for extra crunch
• Offer alongside a cheese board
• Enjoy with tea, coffee, or a glass of wine

Storage

Room Temperature

Store the cooled cheese straws in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their crispness.

Refrigerator

Refrigeration is not usually necessary, but if stored in the fridge they will keep for up to 5 days. Reheat briefly in the oven to restore crispness.

Freezing

The unbaked pastry strips can be frozen for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Sodium: 140 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

Mary Berry Cheese Straws Recipe

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: SnackCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Crisp, buttery Mary Berry Cheese Straws packed with mature cheddar flavour and a delicate hint of mustard. Perfect as a savoury snack or party nibble.

Ingredients

• 225g plain flour

• 100g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

• 150g mature cheddar cheese, finely grated

• 1 tsp English mustard powder

• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3–4 tbsp cold water

• 1 egg, beaten

• 25g cheddar cheese, grated

• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and line a baking tray with parchment.
• Rub butter into flour and salt until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Stir in grated cheddar, mustard powder and cayenne pepper.
• Add cold water gradually and bring together into a soft dough.
• Roll dough to about 3mm thickness on a lightly floured surface.
• Brush pastry with beaten egg and sprinkle with extra cheese and black pepper.
• Cut into strips and twist gently.
• Place on tray and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp.
• Cool briefly on a rack before serving.

Notes

• Use strong cheddar for the best flavour.
• Roll the pastry thin for crisp cheese straws.
• These are perfect for parties and can be baked ahead.