Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe
Delight in the rich flavors of golden caramelized onions paired with creamy goat cheese, all nestled atop flaky puff pastry. These easy-to-make Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts bring a perfect balance of sweet and savory in every bite, ideal for appetizers, brunch, or a light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 tarts 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but still cold)
Caramelized Onions
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced (yellow or sweet onions work best)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- Extra fresh thyme for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions along with sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook the onions undisturbed for about 5 minutes at a time, stirring occasionally for a total of 15 minutes until they turn golden. Add balsamic vinegar and thyme, cooking for another 5 minutes until the onions become jammy and sweet. If they start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.
- Assemble the Tarts: Lightly flour your surface and roll out the chilled puff pastry sheet. Cut it into 6 rectangles with rustic edges. Evenly spread the caramelized onions on each piece, leaving a small border around the edges. Generously crumble goat cheese over the onions and sprinkle extra thyme on top for garnish.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the assembled tarts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes, checking near the end to ensure the pastry is golden and puffed, and the cheese is slightly melted and browned. Remove from oven and let cool just enough to enjoy safely. Serve warm.
Notes
- Keep the puff pastry cold before baking to ensure maximum puff and flakiness.
- Use fresh thyme whenever possible for the best aromatic flavor.
- Caramelizing onions requires patience but is key for developing deep, sweet flavors.
- For a vegan version, substitute goat cheese with a plant-based cheese and use vegan butter.
- These tarts are best served warm but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: caramelized onion tarts, goat cheese tarts, puff pastry appetizer, French appetizers, easy tarts, vegetarian appetizers
