Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe

Introduction

These caramelized onion and goat cheese tarts are a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Simple to make yet look fancy, they’re a great appetizer or snack that will impress any crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but still cold)
• 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
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook without stirring constantly, letting onions soften undisturbed for about 5 minutes between stirs. After 15 minutes, when golden, add balsamic vinegar and thyme. Cook another 5 minutes until jammy. If onions stick, add a splash of water to deglaze.
2. Step 2: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 6 rectangles. Spread the caramelized onions evenly on each piece, leaving a small border. Crumble goat cheese over the onions and sprinkle extra thyme on top.
3. Step 3: Bake tarts in a preheated 400°F oven for about 15 minutes until pastry is golden and puffed and cheese is starting to brown. Check every 2 minutes if more time is needed. Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Pat caramelized onions dry with paper towels before assembly to prevent soggy pastry.
• Chill assembled tarts in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking for flakier puff pastry.
• Use fresh thyme for best flavor, or rub dried thyme between your fingers if using dried.
• Spread onions evenly right to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
• Swap goat cheese for crumbled feta or thinly sliced brie for different taste experiences.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or roasted garlic with onions for extra depth of flavor.
• Drizzle a little honey on top before baking for a sweet-savory twist.

Storage

Store leftover tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Adding a fresh sprinkle of thyme after reheating enhances aroma and presentation.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze these tarts?

Goat cheese doesn’t freeze well as it changes texture and becomes crumbly when thawed. While the puff pastry can handle freezing, the cheese texture is key to these tarts, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh.

Can I use store-bought caramelized onions?

You can, but homemade caramelized onions have a richer, deeper flavor developed by slow cooking. If you use store-bought, enhance them with a splash of fresh balsamic vinegar and some thyme to brighten the taste.

How do I keep the pastry from getting soggy?

Drain or gently pat caramelized onions dry with paper towels before spreading on the pastry. Use a thin, even layer of onions to avoid overload. Also, chilling assembled tarts for 10 minutes before baking helps maintain crispness.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 95 reviews

These irresistible caramelized onion and goat cheese tarts combine sweet, jammy onions with tangy creamy goat cheese on a flaky puff pastry base. With just three easy steps, you’ll create a gourmet appetizer or light meal that impresses every time. The caramelization brings out deep flavors, enhanced by a hint of balsamic and fresh thyme, finished with golden, puffed pastry baked to perfection.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 tarts 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Tarts

• 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but still cold)
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced (yellow or sweet)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook without stirring constantly, letting them sit for about 5 minutes at a time before stirring. After 15 minutes, when the onions turn golden, add balsamic vinegar and thyme. Cook for another 5 minutes until onions are soft and jammy. Use a splash of water if they start to stick.
2. Assemble the Tarts: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 6 rectangles. Spread caramelized onions evenly on each piece, leaving a border around edges. Crumble goat cheese over the onions and sprinkle with extra thyme.
3. Bake to Perfection: Place the assembled tarts on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15 minutes. The pastry should be golden and puffed, with the cheese melted and slightly browned. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Pat caramelized onions with paper towels before assembling to avoid soggy pastry.
• Chill assembled tarts in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking for flakier layers.
• Fresh thyme enhances flavor better than dried; if using dried, rub between fingers before adding.
• Distribute onions evenly and thinly to maintain crispness.
• For variations, try swapping goat cheese for feta or brie, adding sautéed mushrooms or roasted garlic, or drizzling honey before baking.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.

Keywords: caramelized onion tarts, goat cheese tarts, puff pastry, easy appetizer, savory tarts