Making these Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Twists is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for guaranteed success:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Prepare Puff Pastry: Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If your puff pastry is very cold, let it sit at room temperature for just a few minutes to become more pliable. Be careful not to let it get too warm, or it will become sticky and difficult to work with.
3. Optional Dijon Mustard Layer: If using Dijon mustard, spread a thin, even layer over the entire surface of the puff pastry sheet, leaving a small border around the edges. This adds a delightful depth of flavor.
4. Layer Ham and Cheese: Evenly distribute the thinly sliced ham over the puff pastry, covering the mustard layer if used. Next, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the ham. Ensure the ham and cheese are spread to within about ½ inch of the edges of the pastry.
5. Second Puff Pastry Sheet (Optional): For extra cheesy and ham-filled twists, you can gently place a second sheet of puff pastry on top of the cheese layer, creating a sandwich. This is optional but adds more layers and richness.
6. Slice into Strips: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the puff pastry (and filling) lengthwise into strips. The width of the strips will determine the size of your twists. For appetizer-sized twists, aim for strips about ¾ to 1 inch wide. For larger twists, you can make them wider. You should get approximately 12-16 strips depending on the size of your puff pastry sheet and the width of your cuts.
7. Twist Each Strip: Carefully pick up one strip at a time and gently twist it several times, creating a spiral shape. Hold one end of the strip and twist the other end in the opposite direction. Don’t twist too tightly, or the pastry might break. Aim for 2-3 full twists per strip.
8. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the twisted strips onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each twist to allow for even baking and air circulation.
9. Egg Wash and Seasoning: Brush the top of each twist generously with the beaten egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden color and a slight sheen. If using everything bagel seasoning, sprinkle it generously over the egg-washed twists. You can also use other toppings at this stage, such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or grated Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the thickness of the twists. Keep an eye on them towards the end of baking to prevent burning.
11. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Twists cool slightly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further. This helps prevent the bottoms from becoming soggy. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, just before serving.