Can I make these without the caramelized onions?

Absolutely! While the onions add wonderful depth, these tarts are still delicious with just fig jam and goat cheese. You could also substitute with a small amount of bacon jam or simply skip this layer entirely.

How far in advance can I make these for a party?

For the best quality, I recommend baking them the same day you plan to serve them. However, you can prepare all components ahead of time: make or buy your puff pastry, caramelize the onions, and have everything ready to assemble and bake just before your guests arrive.

Can I use a different shape instead of circles?

Definitely! Square or rectangular tarts work beautifully too. Just be sure to create that border and dock the center portion to keep the filling contained.

My puff pastry puffed too much in the center. What went wrong?

This happens! Make sure you're docking the center area thoroughly with a fork. If it still puffs up, don't worry - just press it down gently with the back of a spoon when you take it out for the first time before adding the toppings.

Goat Cheese and Fig Puff Pastry Tarts Recipe

These Goat Cheese and Fig Puff Pastry Tarts are a little piece of heaven that combines buttery, flaky pastry with sweet fig jam, savory caramelized onions, and tangy goat cheese. Topped with fresh thyme, they create an irresistible flavor combination that’s perfect for entertaining or treating yourself to something special. The best part? They look incredibly fancy but are surprisingly simple to make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for entertaining: These tarts look so elegant and impressive, your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen.
Sweet and savory: The combination of sweet fig jam with tangy goat cheese creates that magical flavor balance that keeps you coming back for more.
Versatile: Serve them as appetizers, part of a brunch spread, or alongside a salad for a light lunch.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the size to make them bigger for a main dish or smaller for bite-sized party snacks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Puff pastry: The foundation of our tarts! Store-bought works perfectly fine here, but homemade adds that special touch if you have the time. It creates those beautiful, flaky layers that shatter delicately when you take a bite.
Fig jam: Provides a sweet, fruity base that pairs beautifully with the cheese. Look for one with visible seeds for the best texture and flavor.
Caramelized onions: These add incredible depth and a savory sweetness that balances the tanginess of the goat cheese. They take time to make but are worth every minute.
Goat cheese: The star of the show! Its tangy creaminess cuts through the sweetness of the jam and creates the perfect flavor balance. Get a log so you can easily cut it into portions.
Fresh thyme: Don’t skip this! The herbaceous notes tie everything together and add a beautiful visual element.
Egg wash: Creates that gorgeous golden shine on the pastry edges. It’s the difference between homemade-looking and professional-looking tarts.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious alternatives:

Different cheese: Try blue cheese for a stronger flavor or brie for something milder.
Seasonal fruit: Swap the fig jam for apricot preserves, raspberry jam, or even a tart cherry spread.
Add nuts: Sprinkle some chopped walnuts or pistachios on top for extra crunch and flavor.
Savory version: Skip the jam altogether and double up on caramelized onions with a sprinkle of gruyère instead of goat cheese.

How to Make Goat Cheese and Fig Puff Pastry Tarts

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry

Roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Using a 2-3/4-inch circle cutter, stamp out at least 16 circles, placing them as close together as possible to minimize waste. Create an indentation in the center of each circle with a smaller cutter, then dock the center with a fork to prevent excessive rising.

Step 2: Prep for Baking

Place the pastry circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each with egg wash, then add a heaping teaspoon of caramelized onions to the center of each tart. Place in the freezer or refrigerator while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Step 3: First Bake

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake the prepared pastry rounds for 12 minutes until they’re puffed but not yet golden. While they’re baking, cut your goat cheese into ½-inch pieces or roll into small balls, and prepare your fig jam in a piping bag.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Final Bake

Working quickly, press down any overly puffed centers, pipe about 2 teaspoons of fig jam into each tart, and place a piece of goat cheese in the middle. Return to the oven for 5-8 more minutes until the pastry is golden and the cheese is slightly puffed.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before transferring to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and serve warm or at room temperature.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep it cold: The key to great puff pastry is keeping it cold until it hits the oven. If at any point your pastry feels soft or warm, pop it back in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Don’t rush the onions: Properly caramelized onions take time (30-45 minutes of slow cooking). The deep flavor they develop is worth every minute.
Pre-portion the goat cheese: Having your cheese already cut and ready to go makes the assembly process much faster when the pastry comes out of the oven for the first time.
Work quickly: When adding the jam and cheese, speed is important. The partially baked pastry should spend as little time as possible outside the oven.

How to Serve

These versatile tarts shine in so many settings:

As an Appetizer

Serve them on a beautiful platter with some additional fresh thyme sprigs for garnish. They’re perfect with champagne or prosecco.

For Brunch

Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette for a lovely light meal. A glass of crisp white wine completes the experience.

For a Dinner Party

Make them slightly larger and serve two per person as a sophisticated first course before the main event.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The pastry won’t be quite as crisp, but they’ll still be delicious.

Freezing

You can freeze the assembled but unbaked tarts for up to 1 month. Freeze them solid on a baking sheet, then transfer to a container. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3-5 minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat refrigerated tarts in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through. A toaster oven works perfectly for this!

FAQs

Can I make these without the caramelized onions?

Absolutely! While the onions add wonderful depth, these tarts are still delicious with just fig jam and goat cheese. You could also substitute with a small amount of bacon jam or simply skip this layer entirely.
How far in advance can I make these for a party?

For the best quality, I recommend baking them the same day you plan to serve them. However, you can prepare all components ahead of time: make or buy your puff pastry, caramelize the onions, and have everything ready to assemble and bake just before your guests arrive.
Can I use a different shape instead of circles?

Definitely! Square or rectangular tarts work beautifully too. Just be sure to create that border and dock the center portion to keep the filling contained.
My puff pastry puffed too much in the center. What went wrong?

This happens! Make sure you’re docking the center area thoroughly with a fork. If it still puffs up, don’t worry – just press it down gently with the back of a spoon when you take it out for the first time before adding the toppings.

Final Thoughts

These Goat Cheese and Fig Puff Pastry Tarts are one of those recipes that truly delivers on both flavor and presentation. They strike that perfect balance between sweet and savory, crispy and creamy. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, contributing to a potluck, or simply treating yourself to something special, these tarts are guaranteed to impress. The combination of buttery pastry, sweet jam, savory onions, and tangy cheese creates a flavor experience that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Give them a try – I promise they’ll become a favorite in your recipe collection!