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The appetizer, French classic

Caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets

Caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets are a warm appetizer for 6, made with shortcrust pastry, balsamic caramelized onions, and rounds of goat cheese. They take 40 minutes of active work, the onions are made the day before, and assembly happens right before guests arrive. Easy to make and about €1.20 per person, the key is cooking the onions low and slow without a lid.

Caramelized onion tartlets with balsamic vinegar and a melting round of goat cheese on top, sweet and salty at once, very comforting.

Caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets
For
6 people
Work
40 min
Total time
1 h 40
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.20
Calories per person
210 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

These tartlets play on the contrast between sweet balsamic caramelized onions and creamy, tangy goat cheese that softens slightly in the oven. The shortcrust pastry stays crisp underneath, the onions bring a melting texture, and the goat cheese adds just enough tang to balance it all. A sprig of fresh thyme on top finishes each bite without overpowering the flavors.

This appetizer works well for a dinner with friends or a family meal, anytime from fall through spring. It fits naturally into a menu with a few other small bites at the start, followed by something simpler, since most of the work happens the day before and the day itself only takes a few minutes.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 2 steps, 35 min
  2. The same day 1 step, 15 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 8 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, caramelize the onions with balsamic vinegar and keep them chilled, this is the longest step but it runs on its own. The same day, blind bake the tart shells ahead of time. Right before guests arrive, fill the tartlets with onions and goat cheese and bake them again, then serve them warm as soon as the appetizers go out.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 800 g
  • Thyme 4 sprigs

Dairy

  • Butter 30 g
  • Shortcrust pastry 2
  • Goat cheese log 200 g

Pantry

  • Balsamic vinegaroften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Slice the onions thin and cook them gently in the butter with the salt, sugar, and thyme. 35 min

    Stir occasionally, they should turn golden without burning.

  2. Add the balsamic vinegar at the end of cooking and let it reduce until the onions are caramelized, then chill.

    Balsamic added too early burns, add it last so it coats the onions.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Cut rounds from the pastry, line mini tartlet molds, and blind bake at 180°C. 15 min

    Place a small weight or a ball of parchment on each shell so it doesn't puff up.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Fill each shell with a spoonful of caramelized onions and a round of goat cheese.

    Slice the cold cheese with a thread, it won't get crushed.

  2. Bake the tartlets at 200°C until the goat cheese turns golden. 8 min

    The cheese should just brown at the edges, it melts gently.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Serve them warm with a sprig of fresh thyme on each one.

    They taste better warm than piping hot.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick yellow onions rather than red ones, they caramelize more evenly and taste rounder once cooked down.
  • If your onions release a lot of water at the start, raise the heat slightly without a lid to let it evaporate before adding the balsamic vinegar.
  • Bake more tart shells than you need, they keep well for a day in an airtight container and let you assemble at the last minute without stress.

The variations

  • Swap the goat cheese for grated Comté for a milder version that often appeals more to those less used to goat cheese.
  • This recipe is already vegetarian, so for extra crunch, scatter a few crushed walnuts over the cheese before baking.
  • For a quicker version, use store-bought pre-baked tartlet shells and skip the blind baking step, just adjust the final baking time.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry white wine
  • A tangy green salad as a starter
  • Fresh grape juice for kids

Storage

The caramelized onions keep for 3 days in the fridge in a closed container and freeze well. The blind baked tart shells keep for a day at room temperature in an airtight container. Once assembled and topped, the tartlets are best eaten the same day, reheated for a few minutes in the oven before serving.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use puff pastry instead of shortcrust?

Yes, puff pastry works well and gives a crisper, richer result. Blind baking stays the same, just watch that it doesn't puff up too much.

How do you keep the shell from getting soggy under the onions?

Let the caramelized onions cool slightly before filling the shells, warm moisture softens the pastry faster. You can also brush the baked shell with a little egg white before filling.

What kind of goat cheese works best here?

A classic log of goat cheese, neither too fresh nor too aged, melts gently without running. Avoid very creamy fresh goat cheeses, they won't hold their shape in the oven.

Can you make these as larger tarts for a starter course?

Yes, use individual tart pans instead of mini molds, and plan on one tart per person rather than two or three as an appetizer bite.

Can caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 40 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 2 steps, the same day, 1 step, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets?

Allow 1 h 40 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 40 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets?

About 210 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does caramelized onion and goat cheese tartlets cost?

About €1.20 per person, that's €7.20 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

To round out your menu

Build a menu
Baked Alaska The dessert

French classic

Baked Alaska

  • 1 h of work
  • Prepared the same day
  • Medium, €2.40 per person

450 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

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