Air Fryer Recipe
Marmite and Cheese Twists
These Marmite and cheese twists are a delightful snack, combining the umami richness of Marmite with the comforting taste of cheese, all wrapped in crispy pastry.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (ready-rolled)
- 2-3 tablespoons of Marmite
- 100g of cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 egg, beaten
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
- Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread a thin layer of Marmite evenly over the pastry.
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the Marmite-covered pastry.
- Fold the pastry sheet in half and press the edges lightly to seal.
- Slice the pastry into strips about 1.5cm wide.
- Twist each strip several times to create a spiral shape and place on baking parchment.
- Brush each twist with beaten egg.
- Transfer the twists to the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Let the twists cool on a wire rack before serving.
Why this works in an air fryer
Air fryer convection drives moisture off the puff pastry quickly, so its butter layers steam apart before the cheese can weigh them down. A thin Marmite layer adds salt and savoury browning compounds, while egg wash dries to a glossy surface that helps the twists colour evenly.
Equipment notes
Assumes a medium 4–6 litre basket holding twists in one layer with space between them; in a single-drawer model cook in batches, while in a dual-zone air fryer use the hotter/faster drawer first or swap drawers halfway if one side colours more quickly.
Common pitfalls
- Pale, soft centres after 12 minutes? The strips are too crowded or touching; separate them and cook for 2–4 minutes more so hot air can reach the sides.
- Cheese leaking and burning on the parchment? The pastry was overfilled or not pressed after folding; use less cheese near the edges and chill the filled sheet for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Twists untwisting as they cook? The pastry has warmed and lost tension; twist tighter, press the ends onto the parchment, and chill briefly before air frying.
- Very dark Marmite patches but undercooked pastry? The Marmite layer is too thick; spread it almost translucent or loosen with a teaspoon of warm water for a thinner coat.
Variations & substitutions
- Use mature Red Leicester instead of cheddar for a sweeter, deeper orange filling; it melts similarly but may brown a little faster.
- Add a light sprinkle of sesame or poppy seeds after the egg wash; they toast quickly, so check the twists at 9 minutes.
- Swap Marmite for yeast extract mixed with a little softened butter for a milder flavour; the extra fat can make the base slightly more tender.
- Use ready-rolled gluten-free puff pastry if needed; it is often more fragile, so keep it chilled and handle the twists less before cooking.
Storage & reheating
Keep cooled twists in an airtight container for up to 2 days, then reheat in the air fryer at 160°C for 3–4 minutes until crisp again.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
