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James and Oliver Phelps, best known to millions as Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter films, have captivated audiences for more than 20 years with their signature charm and humor—and now they’re bringing their special brand of magic to Food Network. The twin brothers are back as the hosts of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, which started its second season earlier this month. In the show, pastry pros channel their culinary wizardry to create fantastical confections inspired by the beloved film series. The first season of the series was a hit with Harry Potter fans and food lovers alike. Between the brothers’ banter and wit, and the jaw-dropping creations from contestants, it’s easy to see why. In an exclusive interview, the Phelps twins sat down with Parade to chat about everything from their go-to holiday treat (it’s so very British) to their favorite American snacks, and even shared a few behind-the-scenes stories from the magical baking show, which was shot in the UK on some of the original Harry Potter sets, including Platform 9¾, Diagon Alley and The Great Hall. Read on for all the sweet (and savory) details. Related: Harry Potter Trivia: 50 Fun Facts About the Wizarding World 😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. 🍳🍔 The Holiday Treat the Phelps Twins Love When the holidays roll around, the Phelps brothers keep it classic, and very British, of course. Their favorite festive bake isn’t technically a cookie, but rather the mince pie (also known as mincemeat pie), a staple across the UK during Christmastime. “Mince pies are a big thing,” Oliver tells Parade. “I know it’s not a big thing in the U.S., but it should be.” The twins explain that despite the name, there’s no actual meat involved. It’s just a sweet mixture of dried fruits, raisins and warm spices tucked into buttery pastry. “It’s like a little pie filled with what we call mincemeat, but it’s more like jam,” Oliver shares. “You put a pastry top on it, bake it and that’s your traditional holiday snack.” It’s a cozy, old-fashioned treat that speaks to their roots, and it’s a perfect fit for the Wizards of Baking hosts, whose show celebrates both imagination and nostalgia. It also feels like the perfect holiday treat for Harry and his pals, since the mini pies would be an easy thing to slip into the pocket of your Hogwarts robe for a snack on the go. Related: The British-Inspired Way to Make Brownies 10x Better The American Snacks They’re Obsessed With Though the brothers are proud of their favorite British foods, they’ve developed a deep appreciation for American snack culture, especially since spending so much time stateside. “I only had my first peanut butter and jelly this year,” Oliver shares with a laugh. “But I have it on rice crackers.” The twins then joyfully exclaim that they have discovered Uncrustables. “Wow!” Oliver says. “Happiness in a bag, that’s all that is.” The twins also confess a shared sweet tooth, which started with British sweets, of course. “We’ve got a very big sweet tooth,” Oliver says, adding that they love everything from Percy Pigs to proper Cadbury chocolate (before they changed the recipe, James adds). “When I did my marathon training, I’d have jelly babies a lot,” James shares. “I’d have one of those every couple of miles and they’re great. I could go on forever on candies and British food.” When it comes to American treats, though, they’ve found new favorites, including Swedish Fish and M&M’s (both peanut and chocolate). “Just don’t buy them at the airport or they’ll be gone before you take off,” James recommends. And while marshmallow fluff isn’t technically candy, the brothers admit to a newfound fascination with it. “We made the mistake of having too much once,” Oliver shares with a laugh, which inspires James to share his fondness for s’mores. “We don’t have that concept in the UK really,” he says. One of their other favorite sweet treats can be found in the breakfast aisle. “I remember when I first used to come to America, I’d go home with one of the giant family boxes of Lucky Charms,” Oliver explains. Related: Audible Sets Release Date for ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Full-Cast Edition’ Sweet Moments on ‘Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking’ Hosting Wizards of Baking has been a treat in more ways than one. The Phelps twins share that the creativity of the contestants continually blows them away. “One of the contestants said he was going to make a smoked chocolate mousse and you wonder how,” Oliver recalls. “And he actually got wood chips and infused the smoke into chocolate, which melts, and then you turn it into mousse. It was honestly the best thing I’ve ever had in my life.” What surprised them most on the show was how passionate and kind the bakers are. “I used to have this idea that maybe some guys who worked in a kitchen were angry,” James admits. “But these guys genuinely want you to enjoy what they’ve made. They love seeing your reaction.” Of course, there’s plenty of fun on set too. The twins, who are famous pranksters since their Hogwarts days, couldn’t resist a little mischief. “We’ll sometimes film fake time calls,” James says. “We’ll say, ‘You have 30 minutes left!’ when they really have three hours. The panic on their faces—it’s just a bit of fun.” Related: 45 Harry Potter Coloring Pages for Your Favorite Muggle From Hogwarts to the Holidays It’s been more than two decades since James and Oliver first donned their Gryffindor robes, but the magic hasn’t faded. Hosting Wizards of Baking brings them full circle, right back to the spirit of creativity, camaraderie and joy that defined their Harry Potter years. Many of their old castmates, including Bonnie Wright and Warwick Davis, have even joined them on the show. “You literally pick up exactly where you left off many years ago,” James says. “And I think that comes across on the show because you see how it wasn’t just a job. It was like our life when we were filming there, so just to be back in that environment for a set amount of time, you can see on the screen that it means a lot to us.” And now, as fathers themselves, they’re sharing that world with their own kids. “My eldest came to the set of Wizards of Baking this year and she was more interested in the kitchen and watching the guys do their thing up close than being in the Great Hall,” Oliver explains. He goes on to share that they took their families to Orlando and went on the Hogwarts Express. Part of the ride includes a big screen that shows clips of Harry Potter characters flying on broomsticks. “We were sitting there looking, and my youngest looks at me and then looks at the screen where we fly in and then she’s like, ‘Daddy, why are you there?’ Her mind was completely blown!” Oliver says, adding that seeing things through his kids’ eyes has helped reignite the magic of Harry Potter. And with their mix of humor, heart and a sprinkle of mischief, James and Oliver Phelps hope to continue to make magic for Harry Potter and baking fans everywhere with Wizards of Baking.
