Tomato Tart

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An elegant tomato tart is the perfect appetizer for backyard parties and holiday gatherings. It’s easy to make in just 30 minutes with buttery puff pastry, vibrant-red tomatoes, tasty goat cheese, and fresh herbs. For individual servings, assemble small puff pastry tomato tartlets.

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🍅 Why this Recipe’s a Keeper

This tomato tart celebrates the vibrant, fresh essence of ripe tomatoes. The combination of a flaky, buttery crust, the sweet acidity of tomatoes, and rich melted cheese creates an appetizer that’s both satisfying and indulgent. Here are more reasons this recipe’s a keeper.

• You can make tarts in any shape and size: Instead of 1 large rectangular tart, you can cut the pastry dough into smaller rectangles for single servings. To mix things up, use a biscuit cutter and make round tomato tartlets. Or cut the pastry dough into triangles.
• You can use different cheeses: For this recipe we chose goat cheese for it’s earthy, buttery flavor with a hint of tart that’s so delicious. But other soft cheeses also pair well with tomatoes: brie, feta, or sliced mozzarella.
• You can use whatever tomatoes are in season. We used multi-color heirloom tomatoes (red, yellow and green) plus cherry tomatoes. But feel free to use whatever tomatoes you have in the garden, or the type you find at the market. We realize that some varieties are not available year round.
• You can use the fresh herbs you love. For this tomato puff pastry we love the flavors of fresh thyme and basil. But other herbs also pair well with tomatoes and soft cheese. Try fresh dill, thyme, Italian parsley or oregano.
• There’s a saucy option: Before topping the puff pastry dough with cheese and tomatoes, try spreading a thin layer of homemade pesto over the surface. It’ll give this summer appetizer a delicious savory taste.
• You can add more toppings. If you’d like, add a few Spanish olives or Kalamata olives (sliced without the pits) over the tomatoes. Or sprinkle a few pine nuts over the top – they have a soft crunchy texture with a nutty flavor and a touch of sweetness.

🛒 Ingredients

• Puff Pastry: Puff pastry is the base for our tomato tart. When baked, it becomes crisp, golden and flaky. It also holds up well under juicy tomatoes. Thaw the pastry dough before using. But don’t allow it to come to room temperature. We need it thawed but very cold.
• Tomatoes: I love using a mix of multi-color heirloom tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Using different colors is an easy way to add visual interest to these simple yet elegant appetizers. But you can select other types of tomatoes, just make sure the variety is not too juicy. Slice the tomatoes no thicker than 1/8 inch.
• Goat Cheese: This cheese is soft, creamy and tangy. And it holds up well when baked. Before using, crumble it between your fingers. If it’s wet and sticky, use a piece of waxed paper to pinch off pieces. Or stick the cheese into the freezer for 5 minutes then crumble it with a fork.
• Fresh Thyme: This fresh herb pairs well with goat cheese and tomatoes. Mince it well before using. If you don’t have fresh thyme on hand, use dried thyme instead.
• Olive Oil: This helps the tomatoes become slightly crisp in the oven.
• Large Egg: This ingredient helps brown the puff pastry.
• Flaky Sea Salt: This delicious seasoning is the perfect garnish. It enhances the flavor of tomatoes while also adding texture.
• Fresh Basil: This garnish adds beautiful color and freshness to the tomato tart. Hand tear larger leaves into small pieces.
• Optional Garnish: When it comes out of the oven, drizzle a balsamic glaze over the tomato goat cheese tart for a sweet and tangy finish. You can pick up a bottle at Trader Joe’s or at any major supermarket.

📖 Recipe Steps

RECIPE PREP: Adjust oven rack to center position. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper or reusable silicone baking mats.

1. Unfold the puff pastry sheet on a lightly-floured surface. If assembling one single tomato tart (to be cut into pieces later), place the sheet on a lined baking tray. For individual tomato tartlets, cut the sheet along the folds to form 3 long rectangles. Cut each rectangle in half to form 6 (approximately 3″x4″) rectangles. Arrange the pieces on the prepared baking sheets.
2. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese in the middle of each puff pastry, leaving a plain border around the edges.
3. Layer slices of tomato directly over the cheese. For individual tomato tartlets use 3 to 4 slices (large and small pieces), enough to cover the center of the tart while leaving a 1/4″ border. Sprinkle fresh thyme over the tomatoes. Drizzle center of the tart(s) with olive oil.
4. Brush the edges of the tart(s) with egg wash (one egg beaten with a splash of water). Fold the edges inward toward the tomatoes. This will help prevent the tomatoes from moving and possibly sliding off the sides of the tart during baking.

1. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until tarts are crisp and golden blonde. If desired, drizzle balsamic glaze over the top. Garnish with more fresh thyme, fresh basil, and flaky salt. For best results, serve the tomato tart(s) warm or at room temperature shortly after baking.

Expert Tips

• Make homemade puff pastry for this recipe (optional). It’s simple to do in just 15 minutes with a few basic ingredients. Use this easy puff pastry dough recipe. It’s not only delicious, but during times of inflation, it’s a real money saver compared to store-bought.
• Add a unique twist to your tomato tart: Experiment with different cheeses, add caramelized onions, or drizzle balsamic glaze on top after baking for extra flavor.
• How to prevent a soggy crust: You can blind-bake the crust for a few minutes. Or you can apply a thin layer of Dijon mustard or egg wash on the crust before adding the tomatoes. This creates a moisture barrier than helps keep the crust crisp.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQ

These are the most commonly-asked questions when making the BEST puff pastry tomato tart, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.

🍽 More Easy Appetizers

If you love serving elegant appetizers like puff pastry tomato tartlets, you’ll also enjoy these creamy dips and small bites that have an upscale and fancy look. Only you and I will know how simple they are to make!

• Whipped Feta Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Wontons
• Herby Marinated Cheese
• Angel Deviled Eggs
• Everything Bagel Hummus
• Honey Goat Cheese Balls
• Crab Rangoon

Rate This Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flavor tested rated this the BEST tomato tart puff pastry. They loved the light flaky crust, the pairing of goat cheese with heirloom tomatoes, and the herby flavor from fresh thyme and basil. They said they’d be proud to serve this appetizer at their next party or holiday gathering.

If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with a friend. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

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👉🏻 Tomato Tart > Join the Conversation

How will you serve your tomato tart? With a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or an extra touch of olive oil? What other finger foods or appetizers will you pair with it? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.