Need an appetizers that will WOW your guests? These Savory Caramelized Onion Tarts will totally do the trick!
Ahhh…light, flaky, buttery puff pastry, “how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!”
Just when you thought puff pastry couldn’t get any better, try adding caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, a pinch of thyme and here’s the kicker folks…BACON!! There you go!! Your go-to appetizer recipe for the upcoming holiday season. You won’t be able to eat just one. Trust me, I tried…I couldn’t do it! (Although I have to admit I really didn’t try hard.)
The caramelized onions and the melted, nutty gruyere cheese topped with the crunchy bacon is just a great combination. I know it may look a little fancy but, honestly they’re easy to make and your guests will not only be impressed, but delighted you made them! Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen puff pastry 2 sheets
- 2 large Vidalia onions
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
- 3/4 tsp. thyme leaves
- 1 cup gruyere cheese shredded
- 6-8 slices bacon
- 1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove puff pastry sheets from freezer and thaw at room temperature for 40 minutes.
- While the pastry is thawing fry the bacon until crisp. When the bacon is cool crumble into small pieces.
- Next slice and chop the onions. Heat the oil and butter over medium heat in a large saute pan. Add onions, salt, pepper and thyme leaves and saute for about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook the onions for 15-20 more minutes until the onions are brown and caramelized. Let cool.
- The pastry should still be cold, but you will be able to unfold it easily. Flour your work surface and unfold dough. I like to flatten out the dough slightly with a rolling pin. Next, cut each sheet into nine pieces. (see photo) I cut down the fold lines and then I cut each rectangle into 3 equal portions.
- With a sharp knife score a small rectangle inside each pastry square to create a little area for the filling to nestle in when the pastry puffs up as it is baked. (Just make a small indent, do not cut all the way through the pastry dough.) Place the squares onto your parchment lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Place some of the shredded gruyere cheese inside the inner scored rectangle. Top with 1 heaping tsp. caramelized onion mixture, a little more of the shredded gruyere and lastly a few pieces of the crumbled bacon. Brush the outsides of the squares with the beaten egg/water mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes til puffy and golden brown rotating trays around the 8 minute mark.
Patty Voigt
Can’t wait to try these! They look delicious!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
I think you’re going to love them!
Mare
Hakeem Moore
Looks great !! What kind of bacon?
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
I used applewood smoked bacon. Bacon makes everything better!
Mary Ann
Jackie Becattini
I’m going to try to make these tonight for a party! If you turn me into a cook…my family will be ssssoooo happy!! Wish me luck! xoxo
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
You can do it Jack! My friend Rose just made them too! Enjoy!!
Mare
Carrie
Can you make these ahead of time and freeze them?
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
Carrie,
I always make these and then serve hot out of the oven. I have never tried to freeze them, but when I previously researched freezing pastries the site said to cool them completely and layer them between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container in the freezer. The site said pastry would keep for two weeks. Then when you are ready to serve, remove and thaw in frige for a few hours then heat up in the oven. If you happen to freeze them tell me how it works out! Thanks for following!
Mary Ann
Thalia @ butter and brioche
I love how easy and delicious this little onion tarts are! Definitely a recipe I need to make – I can see myself devouring many of them!
Nidhi@peppergarlickitchen.com
I love these..just it’s so difficult to find puff pastry around here :(
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
Nidhi,
Yes, this is a great quick little appetizer. If you cannot find the puff pastry where you live there is a recipe from allrecipes.com that you could try out to make your own homemade puff pastry. A little more work, but will satisfy the craving! Good luck!
Mary Ann
Mary
I think any good savory pie crust recipe partially prebaked in a mini muffin tin might be a good substitute for puff pastry in this recipe? Not the same, but hey, bacon still presides and rules! I’m always looking for great appetizers to accompany our wines and this looks like the perfect bite.
Mary Ann
Yes, sounds good Mary. I am just partial to puff pastry. I adore the flaky, buttery taste! This appetizer would be perfect served alongside some delicious wine! Cheers! Thanks for commenting!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks
This looks so delicious!! I always gets excited at the way puff pastry puffs up!! Yumm!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
I know! And when you brush the pastry with the egg wash it just gives it that beautiful color!
Mary Ann
atasteofmadess
These tarts so good! I seriously need to start experimenting with puff pastry!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
Puff pastry is delicious and very easy to work with! I will be adding some sweet recipes with puff pastry to the blog too!
Mary Ann
nicole (thespicetrain.com)
These sound divine AND so easy to make! Can’t wait to try, thank you for the recipe, Mary Ann!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen
Thanks so much Nicole! I hope you enjoy them!