Thyme-Infused Goat Cheese Tarts

This sweet onion and goat cheese tart recipe transforms simple ingredients into elegant bite-sized appetizers that will impress at any gathering. The combination of caramelized onions with tangy goat cheese creates a perfect balance of flavors that keeps everyone reaching for more.

I discovered this recipe when planning a last-minute dinner party and needed something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. These little tarts have since become my signature appetizer that friends specifically request whenever they visit.

Ingredients

• Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the onions to golden perfection
• Yellow onion: Provides sweet flavor when slowly cooked down
• Fresh thyme: Brings an earthy aromatic quality that elevates the tarts
• Brown sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness of the onions
• Frozen puff pastry: Creates a flaky buttery base with minimal effort
• Fresh chèvre cheese: Delivers tangy creaminess that balances the sweet onions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Caramelize the Onions:

Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium heat until just bubbling. Add thinly sliced onions and thyme stems, then cook for 15 minutes with frequent stirring. The onions should slowly soften and become translucent without browning too quickly.

Add Sweetness:

Sprinkle brown sugar over the partially cooked onions and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Watch carefully and adjust heat as needed. The onions should turn a rich golden color and become jammy in texture with intense sweet flavor.

Prepare the Pastry:

Preheat oven to 400°F while keeping puff pastry cold until ready to use. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and use a 2¼-inch biscuit cutter to stamp out 9 uniform circles. The colder the pastry remains, the better it will puff during baking.

Assemble and Bake:

Place pastry circles on a parchment-lined cookie sheet with about an inch between each. Remove thyme stems from the onion mixture and divide evenly among pastry circles. Crumble goat cheese on top of each tart. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is deeply golden and crisp around the edges.

Garnish and Serve:

Optional but recommended, add the slightest drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil over each tart and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately while still warm, or at room temperature.

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The fresh thyme is what makes these tarts truly special in my opinion. I grow it in my kitchen window box year-round so I always have some on hand. The fragrance it releases while the onions are cooking creates an irresistible aroma throughout the house that instantly makes guests feel welcome.

Make It A Meal

These tarts shine as appetizers but can easily transform into a light lunch when paired with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. The brightness of the greens cuts through the richness of the pastry and cheese for a perfectly balanced meal.

Ingredient Substitutions

While traditional yellow onions work beautifully, you can experiment with sweet Vidalia or red onions for variety. Each brings its own character to the dish. If goat cheese isn’t your preference, try crumbled feta or even blue cheese for a more assertive flavor profile. Just be mindful that different cheeses melt differently, so watch your baking time accordingly.

Storage Tips

These tarts are best enjoyed fresh from the oven when the pastry is at its crispiest. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, place in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore some crispness. Avoid microwave reheating as it will make the pastry soggy.

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These tarts are the perfect addition to any gathering, adding elegance and bold flavor in only a few simple steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these tarts ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the caramelized onion mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The assembled tarts can be prepared a few hours before baking and kept refrigerated. For best results, bake just before serving for maximum crispness.

→ What can I substitute for goat cheese?

If you don't care for goat cheese, you can substitute with feta, ricotta, or cream cheese. Each will provide a different flavor profile, but all work well with the sweet caramelized onions and thyme.

→ Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?

While fresh thyme provides the best flavor, you can substitute dried thyme in a pinch. Use about 1/3 the amount (approximately 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme in place of the 2 stems of fresh). Add the dried thyme earlier in the cooking process to allow it to fully release its flavors.

→ What can I serve with these tarts?

These tarts make an excellent appetizer on their own, but also pair beautifully with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside a soup like butternut squash or tomato bisque. They also complement a charcuterie board nicely.

→ How do I know when the onions are properly caramelized?

Properly caramelized onions should be very soft and a deep golden brown color, not dark brown or burned. They should have a sweet, jammy consistency and rich flavor. This process takes time (about 25 minutes total in this recipe) and shouldn't be rushed for the best results.

→ Can I freeze these tarts?

Yes, these tarts freeze well either before or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the tarts, freeze them solid on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Already baked tarts can be frozen, then reheated in a 350°F oven until warmed through.