Mini Tomato and Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts
In short: Puff pastry squares spread with tomato and garlic, topped with melted cheese and tomato slices. Bake in 20 minutes for easy party tarts. It takes about 47 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 22 min
- Total
- 47 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 200 kcal
These mini tarts use one sheet of puff pastry to make a dozen finger foods. Each square gets a thin layer of seasoned tomato paste, a scatter of mozzarella and cheddar, and a few tomato slices, and the scored border puffs up to make a frame. They taste good warm or at room temperature, so they work for buffets and picnics as well as lunchboxes.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line two baking trays with baking paper. Cut the pastry into 12 equal rectangles, about 8 x 9 cm (3 x 3 1/2 inches).
- Lay the rectangles on the trays 3 cm (1 inch) apart. Score a border 1 cm (1/2 inch) in from the edge of each, without cutting through. Prick the centers with a fork.
- Stir the tomato paste, garlic and oregano together. Spread a thin layer inside the border of each rectangle.
- Mix the mozzarella and cheddar and sprinkle them inside the borders. Top each tart with 3 or 4 tomato slices and a little pepper.
- Brush the borders with beaten egg and drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, swapping the trays halfway, until the pastry is puffed and deep golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- Cool for 5 minutes, scatter with basil leaves and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Pat the tomato slices dry on paper towel and sprinkle them with a pinch of salt before using. Dry slices keep the pastry underneath crisp.
- Roasted peppers, olives, goat cheese or thin zucchini ribbons make good alternative toppings. Keep the layers thin so the pastry can rise.
Questions and answers
Can I make puff pastry tarts ahead of time?
Assemble them up to 4 hours ahead and chill, then bake just before serving. You can also bake them fully, cool them and reheat at 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes.
Why did my puff pastry not rise?
The pastry was too warm, the oven was not hot enough or the border was cut all the way through. Keep the pastry cold, preheat fully and score only the surface.
Can I freeze the tarts?
Freeze the assembled, unbaked tarts on a tray, then bag them for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding about 5 minutes.
How long does it take to make Mini Tomato and Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts?
About 47 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 22 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mini Tomato and Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts?
About 200 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 200 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 165 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
