Onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes

Total 30 mins

For a simple yet sensational starter, a family dinner side dish, or a snack to satisfy guests, try this rich, flaky and flavour-filled onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes. Just a few ingredients combine to create this light, golden tart, and with sweet onions and creamy melted cheese layered throughout, every bite is guaranteed to be just as delightfully moreish as the last.

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Ingredients

1 sheet (large) puff pastry or 3 sheets (75g each)
1 egg, beaten
10 cherry tomatoes
1 medium-sized red onion
3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 sprig thyme leaves
1 tsp olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200°C (convection oven).

Cut the red onion into slices and place it in a mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Cut the puff pastry into 3 even-sized rectangular pieces. Score a square pattern on the surface of each piece, making sure not to cut through the dough. Keep the lines about 1 cm from the edge to create a puffy crust around the border and a flatter centre.

Brush the pastry twice with beaten egg.

Spread the onion in the centre inside the scored square. Cut the cheese into slices and spread it evenly on top of the onion.

Bake the puff pastry in the oven for 15 minutes.

While in the oven, cut cherry tomatoes into quarters and mix with olive oil and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

When the puff pastry comes out of the oven, divide the tomatoes on top and serve right away on serving trays or a wooden board.

Tips & Tricks

Puff pastry rises best when it goes into the oven cold. If the pastry becomes too soft while you are assembling the tarts, place it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before baking. This helps the layers puff up properly and creates a crisp, flaky texture.

Tips & Tricks

It can be tempting to add lots of onion, tomato, and cheese, but too many toppings can weigh the pastry down. A thin, even layer allows the puff pastry to rise properly and keeps the base crisp.

Tips & Tricks

Cut the onions into very thin slices so they soften quickly in the oven, as thick pieces can stay slightly raw, while thin slices become sweeter and more tender as they bake.

FAQ: Questions about onion puff pastry tart

Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about the onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes.

  • Can you make an onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes in advance?

    Yes, an onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes can be prepared in advance. The easiest option is to assemble the tart and keep it in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Bake it just before serving so the pastry stays crisp and flaky. If the tart has already been baked, it can be reheated in the oven at 180°C for about 5-8 minutes to restore its crisp texture.

  • Can you freeze an onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes?

    Yes, the onion puff pastry tart with cheese and tomatoes can be frozen after baking. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it well in cling film and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To serve, reheat it straight from frozen in the oven at 180°C until heated through and crisp again.

  • What to serve with onion puff pastry tarts with cheese and tomatoes?

    Onion puff pastry tarts with cheese and tomatoes are perfect as a pre-dinner snack or as part of a larger spread of finger foods. Serve them alongside olives, dips, or other small bites for an easy appetiser table, or enjoy them as a light main dish with a fresh green salad of rocket or mixed leaves with a simple vinaigrette. They also pair nicely with roasted vegetables, a bowl of soup, grilled steak, roasted chicken, and fish.

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Ideas and Inspiration

  • Dinner Party
    Dinner Party

    An intimate moment with the other half or a celebration with a small crowd of your favourite people. Any dinner party you throw is a time to enjoy and share new tastes.

    Dinner Party

Easy puff pastry tart with red onions and creamy cheese

Creamy cheese and onion puff pastry tarts are perfect as a side dish, on a tapas platter, or as a starter – however they are served, their combination of sweet red onion, soft cheese and flaky puff pastry will be sure to go down with delight.

This onion puff pastry tart recipe uses red onions for their sweeter, milder flavour, but any type of onion can be used depending on the flavour you want. If you want a tangier and more astringent flavour, you can use yellow or white onions; however, when combined with fresh green herbs and red cherry tomatoes, red onions offer both a pleasant sweetness and a vibrant colour.

If you serve onion puff pastry tart as part of a tapas platter, you can combine it with dishes such as sourdough bruschetta with portobello mushrooms, rye bread avocado bruschetta, fougasse bread with kale pesto, and baked creamy white cheese.

Puffy and flaky pastry crust

The secret to any good tart is a flaky pastry base that bakes up light and crisp – and puff pastry delivers exactly that. As it bakes, the thin layers of dough and butter separate and rise, creating a delicate, airy texture, perfect for providing a light base for the cheese, sweet onions, and juicy tomatoes.

And as a bonus, puff pastry also bakes quickly. The pastry turns golden and crisp in the oven while the toppings cook gently on top, allowing everything to finish at the same time.

Its mild, buttery flavour also makes it a great partner for savoury ingredients, letting the cheese, onions, and herbs shine.

Sweetness and freshness from cherry tomatoes

The combination of onions and soft cheese gives a sweet and tasty flavour to the pastries, but sometimes a bit of freshness goes a long way. This is where the cherry tomatoes come in.

The tomato, olive oil, and parsley mix is savoury, fresh and adds a bit of sweetness, too, but for another tangier take on the tomato flavour, you can bake the tomatoes with the puff pastry; just remember to use whole cherry tomatoes for baking to avoid making the puff pastry soggy.

Adjust the flavour by using your favourite herbs

One of the easiest ways to adjust the flavour of this onion puff pastry tart is by experimenting with different herbs. Thyme and parsley are delicious with this recipe, but other herbs can be used as well.

Rosemary is an excellent option to pair with soft cheese. It is minty, lemony, and peppery and tastes a bit like sage and pine, which goes well with the soft, sweet cheese. Simply scatter a few finely chopped rosemary leaves over the tart before baking.

You can also use sage, which adds a warm, earthy note, while fresh oregano brings a slightly peppery bite that pairs nicely with the tomatoes. Chives offer a mild onion-like freshness, and a little garlic, either finely chopped or gently sautéed, can add extra depth and savoury warmth to the finish.

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