These Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bites are the perfect bite-sized party appetizer! Made with sweet caramelized onion, creamy goat cheese, flaky puff pastry, and rich balsamic glaze, these bites are so flavorful! Prep them in advance and you have a delicious appetizer for your next cocktail party.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- The creamy goat cheese and sweet onions pair so well together! They taste special and decadent, making them great for a dinner party.
- They are simple to make! With just a few ingredients you can have an appetizer everyone will be swooning over.
- These puff pastry bites are great to prep in advance and freeze! You can then just warm them in the oven when guests come over!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Yellow onions: Thinly slice the onions before caramelizing them. Red or white onions would work if you can't find yellow.
- Goat Cheese: I use plain goat cheese. Feel free to get creative with another soft cheese, such as camembert, brie, or creamy garlic-herb cheese!
- Thyme: Opt for fresh thyme, rather than dried.
- Puff Pastry: See notes below for tips on working with puff pastry.
- Balsamic Glaze: If you can't find balsamic glaze, you can add regular balsamic vinegar and simmer it in a pan on the stove for a few minutes until it has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
How to make puff pastry bites
Caramelize the onions: Melt the butter in a large skillet then add the onions and cook for 30 minutes, until deeply caramelized. Stir in the thyme then roughly chop the onions.
Cut the puff pastry: Roll out the puff pastry with a rolling pin. Cut it into 2x2in squares and gently press them into a mini muffin tin.
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Stuff: Add a spoonful of onions to each puff pastry square and then top it with a dollop of goat cheese.
Bake: Bake in a 400-degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Serve with a drizzle of balsamic glaze on top.
Prep ahead tips
These puff pastry bites can be made completely in advance, just wait to add the balsamic glaze until right before serving. They are a great appetizer to have on hand for when unexpected guests pop by!
- To freeze: Cool the cooked bites then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen (or defrost in the fridge) on a sheet pan in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warm.
- To refrigerate: Cool the cooked bites then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on a sheet pan in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warm.
Tips for working with puff pastry
- Defrost your puff pastry in the refrigerator or on the counter prior to using. If you have not defrosted it enough, it will be impossible to roll out and will break when working with it.
- That said, if it is too warm it can become sticky. If it is sticking, pop it back in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before continuing to work with it.
More dinner party appetizer recipes you'll love
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📖 Recipe
Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 puff pastry sheet thawed (9 oz)
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions sliced
- Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 oz goat cheese
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Heat a large pan on medium heat. Melt the butter in the pan. Add in the onions, ½ teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized (about 30 minutes). As the onions cook you will need to stir them more frequently and reduce the heat to medium-low to prevent burning. During the last minute or so of cooking, stir in the fresh thyme and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. Take off the heat and roughly chop the onions. Set aside.
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry (see notes for tips on working with puff pastry). Slice it into approximately 2in x 2in squares. Place each square into a mini muffin cup. Fill each puff pastry with a spoonful of caramelized onions. Top each one with a dollop of goat cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of balsamic glaze on top.
Notes
- Makes about 20 puffs.
- Defrost your puff pastry in the refrigerator or on the counter prior to using. If you have not defrosted it enough, it will be impossible to roll out and will break when working with it.
- That said, if it is too warm it can become sticky. If it is sticking, pop it back in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before continuing to work with it.
Want to save this recipe to come back to it?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Kelsey B says
Like the trader joe's version but bette4!