These goat cheese baked tarts are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and flaky. Made with puff pastry, charcuterie, apples, and a touch of honey, they’re an elegant yet simple appetizer that’s always a hit at parties or holiday gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients with gourmet results
- Easy to assemble and bake in under an hour
- Sweet and savory options in one recipe
- Perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in
- Can be made ahead and reheated before serving
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 4 oz goat cheese, garlic & herb flavored
- 2 frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 18 slices charcuterie meat (such as salami or soppressata)
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Honey (about 1 teaspoon per tart)
- Black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut each thawed puff pastry sheet into 9 even rectangles. First cut along the fold lines into 3 strips, then cut each strip into thirds. You should have 18 pieces total.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of honey in small spots where you will place each tart.
- For savory tarts: layer one slice of charcuterie meat and sprinkle with black pepper. For sweet tarts: layer 3–4 thin apple slices.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon goat cheese on one puff pastry rectangle. Place it carefully on top of the layered filling (meat or apple).
- Seal the edges by pressing down gently with a fork to crimp. Poke holes in the top of the pastry with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Brush the tops with a thin layer of beaten egg wash.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before flipping over carefully with a spatula.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 18 individual tarts, serving approximately 6–8 people as an appetizer.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: 45–50 minutes
Variations
- Swap goat cheese for cream cheese or brie for a different flavor.
- Use pears instead of apples for the sweet variation.
- Add fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for extra aroma.
- Try different cured meats like pepperoni.
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving for a gourmet touch.
Storage/Reheating
- Store leftover tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until warm and crisp.
- Avoid microwaving, as it will make the pastry soggy.
- Freeze baked tarts in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make these tarts ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the tarts up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator, then bake just before serving.
Do I need to thaw the puff pastry completely?
Yes, puff pastry should be thawed but still cold when working with it. This ensures it puffs properly in the oven.
Can I use plain goat cheese instead of flavored?
Absolutely. Plain goat cheese works well, or you can mix in garlic and herbs yourself.
What type of apple works best?
Crisp and slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady are excellent choices.
Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Yes, homemade puff pastry will work perfectly, but store-bought saves a lot of time and still tastes great.
How do I keep the tarts from becoming soggy?
Make sure apple slices are thin and patted dry before layering, and don’t overload with honey.
Can I serve these at room temperature?
Yes, they can be served at room temperature, but they taste best warm and freshly baked.
Can I add extra toppings after baking?
Yes, try drizzling with balsamic glaze, hot honey, or adding fresh herbs on top after baking.
Are these tarts kid-friendly?
Yes, kids enjoy the sweet apple version especially. For a more kid-friendly version, reduce the black pepper.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free puff pastry available at many grocery stores.
Conclusion
These goat cheese baked tarts are a crowd-pleasing appetizer with a flaky, golden crust and a creamy, flavorful filling. Whether you serve them sweet with apples or savory with charcuterie, they are versatile, elegant, and easy to prepare. Perfect for holidays, gatherings, or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort.
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The Best Goat Cheese Appetizer Recipe (Baked Tarts!)
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 18 tarts (6–8 servings)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These baked goat cheese tarts are the ultimate appetizer for parties and holidays. Made with flaky puff pastry, creamy goat cheese, charcuterie, apples, and honey, they balance sweet and savory flavors in one elegant bite. This easy goat cheese appetizer recipe is perfect for entertaining, impressing guests with gourmet flavor while being simple to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
4 oz goat cheese, garlic & herb flavored
2 frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
18 slices charcuterie meat (such as salami or soppressata)
1 apple, thinly sliced
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Honey (about 1 teaspoon per tart)
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut each thawed puff pastry sheet into 9 rectangles (18 total).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Drizzle about 1 teaspoon honey in small spots where each tart will go.
- For savory tarts: layer one slice of charcuterie and sprinkle with black pepper. For sweet tarts: layer 3–4 thin apple slices.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon goat cheese on a puff pastry rectangle, then place it over the filling.
- Seal edges by pressing gently with a fork; poke holes on top to vent steam.
- Brush tops with beaten egg wash.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then flip carefully with a spatula.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Swap goat cheese with cream cheese, brie, or other soft cheese for variation.
- Use pears instead of apples for a sweet twist.
- Add thyme or rosemary for extra aroma.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze or hot honey on top after baking for a gourmet finish.
- To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Freeze baked tarts in a single layer, then reheat from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
