These puff pastry tarts with fig jam, caramelized onions, brie, and fresh thyme are the kind of appetizer that always disappears first. They look elegant and bakery-worthy, but they are surprisingly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
I first made these for my family on Christmas Eve, and they were an instant hit. Everyone kept going back for another one, which is always how I know a recipe is a keeper. The flaky puff pastry, sweet fig jam, creamy brie, and deeply caramelized onions came together perfectly, and they felt special enough for the holiday without being overly complicated. We also made this Almond Cheese Ball and Boursin Cheese Dip recipe!
This is the type of appetizer I love serving when I want something that feels festive and comforting at the same time. It is simple to prepare, easy to share, and always gets rave reviews, whether it is for a holiday gathering or a cozy night at home.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- The flavor combination is hard to beat. Sweet fig jam, savory caramelized onions, and creamy brie create a rich and balanced bite every time. Here is a step by step guy.
- It feels fancy without being complicated. This is the kind of appetizer that looks impressive on a platter but is very approachable to make.
- It uses minimal ingredients. You only need a handful of items, many of which you may already have on hand.
- It is perfect for entertaining. You can caramelize the onions ahead of time and assemble the tarts quickly before baking. You can even do this on a Blackstone - How to Caramelize Onions on Blackstone
- It works for many occasions. These tarts fit just as well at a holiday party as they do for a casual wine night or weekend gathering.
Ingredients Needed for Puff Pastry Tarts
- One sheet puff pastry, thawed
- ½ cup fig jam
- 1 to 2 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Four to six ounces brie cheese, sliced
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Salt, to taste
Substitution Tips
If you need to swap ingredients or use what you already have, these puff pastry tarts are very flexible.
If you do not have fig jam, you can use apricot jam, pear jam, apple butter, or even a lightly sweetened cranberry spread. Anything with a little sweetness works well with the brie. Or you can try this recipe I have for Bacon Onion Jam.
Brie can be replaced with goat cheese, camembert, or even cream cheese if that is what you have on hand. Just keep the layer thin so it melts evenly.
If you do not want to caramelize onions, you can use thinly sliced shallots cooked quickly until soft, or even sautéed red onions for a slightly sharper flavor.
How to Make Puff Pastry Fig and Brie Tarts
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. This takes about twenty minutes. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the puff pastry slightly on a floured surface. Cut into squares or rectangles and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Using a knife, lightly score a border about one half inch from the edge of each piece. Do not cut all the way through.
Spread a spoonful of fig jam inside the scored area of each pastry. Top with caramelized onions and slices of brie.
Bake until the puff pastry is golden and puffed and the cheese is melted. This usually takes about fifteen to twenty minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Serve warm.
Tips for the Best Puff Pastry Tarts
- Keep the puff pastry cold until ready to bake
- Do not overload the toppings
- Use a good quality fig jam for best flavor
- Chill brie briefly if it is very soft before slicing
Easy Variations
- Add prosciutto after baking
- Swap brie for goat cheese
- Use pear jam or apple jam instead of fig
- Finish with a light drizzle of honey
Make Ahead and Storage
You can caramelize the onions up to two days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble the tarts just before baking for the best texture.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven or air fryer until warmed through.
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Puff Pastry Tarts
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
One sheet puff pastry, thawed
½ cup fig jam - I
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
Four to six ounces brie cheese, sliced
Fresh thyme leaves
Salt, to taste
Instructions
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized. This takes about twenty minutes. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the puff pastry slightly on a floured surface. Cut into squares or rectangles and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Using a knife, lightly score a border about one half inch from the edge of each piece. Do not cut all the way through.
Spread a spoonful of fig jam inside the scored area of each pastry. Top with caramelized onions and slices of brie.
Bake until the puff pastry is golden and puffed and the cheese is melted. This usually takes about fifteen to twenty minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Serve warm.
Notes
- Keep the puff pastry cold until ready to bake
- Do not overload the toppings
- Use a good quality fig jam for best flavor
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
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