Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts in 3 Easy Steps Recipe
Delight in the perfect blend of sweet caramelized onions and tangy goat cheese atop flaky puff pastry with these easy-to-make tarts. Featuring simple ingredients like fresh thyme and balsamic vinegar, this recipe transforms everyday components into an elegant appetizer or snack that’s both crowd-pleasing and quick to prepare.
- 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)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or dried if fresh unavailable)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- Extra fresh thyme leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook without constant stirring, allowing the onions to cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes before stirring. Continue cooking and stirring intermittently for approximately 15 minutes until onions turn golden. Add balsamic vinegar and thyme, then cook an additional 5 minutes until onions are jammy and sweet, adding a splash of water if sticking occurs.
- Assemble the Tarts: Let the caramelized onions cool slightly. Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut into 6 rectangles. Spread onions evenly onto each piece, leaving a border. Crumble goat cheese over the onions, and sprinkle with extra thyme leaves for presentation.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the assembled tarts onto a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed and the cheese begins to melt and brown slightly. Check every 2 minutes after 15 minutes to prevent burning. Let cool briefly before serving.
Notes
- Keep puff pastry cold until ready to use to ensure maximum flakiness.
- Use a mix of olive oil and butter for deeper onion flavor and better caramelization.
- Be patient with the onion caramelization process for the best sweetness and texture.
- If onions stick to the pan, add a splash of water to deglaze and prevent burning.
- Feel free to use dried thyme if fresh is unavailable, but fresh thyme provides better aroma and flavor.
- These tarts are best served warm but can be enjoyed at room temperature.
Keywords: caramelized onion tarts, goat cheese tart recipe, puff pastry appetizer, easy French tarts, caramelized onion goat cheese
