Description
These Goat Cheese Appetizers with Roasted Tomatoes are easy-to-make, vegetarian bite-sized treats that combine creamy goat cheese with the sweet tang of roasted grape tomatoes on a flaky puff pastry base. Perfect for any occasion, these appetizers are crowd-pleasers that bring elegance with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry
Goat Cheese Mixture
- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Zest of one-half lemon
- ½–1 teaspoon herbs (Italian seasoning preferred)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½–1 clove garlic, minced
Roasted Tomatoes
- ¾ cup grape tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Cut grape tomatoes in half and toss them gently with 1 teaspoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to evenly coat.
- Roast Tomatoes: Arrange the tomato halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes until they soften and concentrate in flavor. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to smooth and slightly thin it. Cut into 24 square pieces, each approximately 1.5 inches wide, trimming any uneven edges as needed.
- Create Goat Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine crumbled goat cheese, mayonnaise, lemon zest, Italian herbs, minced garlic, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Mix well until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Appetizers: Press each puff pastry square into the cups of a mini muffin tin to form small pastry cups. Spoon about ¾ to 1 teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture into each pastry cup.
- Add Roasted Tomato: Top each filled pastry square with one of the roasted tomato halves, placing it on top of the cheese mixture.
- Bake: Bake the assembled appetizers in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with additional herbs of choice before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- The amount of garlic and herbs can be adjusted based on your preference for stronger or milder flavors.
- These appetizers are best served fresh but can be prepared ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- If puff pastry sheet is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling out.
- Use mini muffin tins for perfect shape and easy handling of appetizers.
- Additional fresh herbs such as basil or parsley make a great garnish to add color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
