This goat cheese puff pastry appetizer with sun-dried tomatoes is an easy 3-ingredient appetizer, done in less than 30 minutes. This quick appetizer is great for the holidays, a dinner party or a family get together.
This post was originally published in December 2020 and has been updated for content.
When I'm hosting a cocktail party or a holiday gathering, I always try to include a simple appetizer or dish to make things easier on myself. Adding easy appetizers made with simple ingredients, helps to make sure you don't get stuck in the kitchen all day.
Puff pastry appetizers are a great way to make a quick and easy appetizer. They are easy to customize and also easy to put together.
This goat cheese appetizer with sun-dried tomatoes is the perfect appetizer served with creamy pesto orzo, bucatini cacio e pepe or pasta fagioli.
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🍅 Ingredient notes
- Puff pastry - Store-bought puff pastry sheets is the easiest way to make this recipe. A box of puff pastry dough can usually can be found in the freezer section at the most grocery stores. Homemade puff pastry can also be used.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil give the filling more of a creamy texture. For less oil, plain sundried tomatoes can be used instead.
- Goat cheese - A log of goat cheese will make a creamier filling. In a pinch, pre-crumbled goat cheese can be used as well.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Vegetables - Substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with other savory options. Roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, minced olives, or chopped roasted vegetables would all be great.
- Cheese - Substitute the goat cheese for cream cheese, blue cheese, or Boursin cheese.
- Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the creamy cheese filling for a more zesty appetizer.
- Mini - Cut the puff pastry into smaller squares. Bake in a mini muffin tin with the filling for mini puff pastry bites.
🔪 Step by step instructions
First, mix together the goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes in a mixing bowl until creamy.
Gently roll the sheets of puff pastry with a rolling pin. They should be even thickness and more of a square shape. Cut each sheet of puff pastry into 9 squares or 18 total pieces.
Place the squares onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drop a tablespoon of the creamy goat cheese mixture into the middle of each square.
Bake the goat cheese puff pastry bites at 400˚ for about 12-14 minutes. They will be golden brown and puffed up when they are done.
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Make sure to completely thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets before using them. If they are a little bit frozen or too cold, they have a tendency to crack.
- To easily mix the filling together, use a hand mixer, instead of mixing by hand.
- Rotate the sheet pans in the oven to help all of the squares cook evenly.
⏲️ Make ahead instructions
To make these puff pastry tarts ahead of time, prepare the filling and place it on the puff pastry squares on sheet pans. Cover tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up the 24 hours ahead of time. Bake as directed.
🥡 Storage suggestions
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Crisp up under the broiler in the oven or serve at room temperature.
For a quick overview of this recipe, check out my web story for this easy puff pastry appetizer.
🧀 More easy appetizer recipes
If you loved this goat cheese puff pastry appetizer, check out these other easy appetizers that I know you will love too!
- Baked Brie with Jam
- Pepperoncini Dip with Bagel Chips
- How to Assemble a Charcuterie Board
- Whipped Ricotta with Lemon
📖 Recipe
Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces plain goat cheese preferably a log
- 4 ounces julienned sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry dough thawed completely
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes with oil. Mix thoroughly with a hand mixer or whisk until the ingredients are well combined.
- Gently roll out each sheet of thawed puff pastry dough just enough to make sure it is an even thickness and is more of a square shape.
- Next, using a sharp knife, cut each sheet into 9 equal squares or 18 total pieces. Place cut squares onto prepared baking sheets.
- Using a spoon, drop approximately 1 Tablespoon of the goat cheese mixture into the center of each square.
- Bake filled puff pastry squares in the preheated oven for approximately 12-14 minutes or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
Notes
- Thaw puff pastry sheets completely before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Roll the puff pastry out so it's even thickness and a square shape.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil for a creamier filling.
- A log of goat cheese will make a creamier filling then crumbles.
- Rotate the sheet pans in the oven to help all of the squares cook evenly.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetables - Substitute the sun-dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, minced olives, or chopped roasted vegetables.
- Cheese - Substitute the goat cheese for cream cheese, blue cheese, or Boursin.
- Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Mini - Cut the puff pastry into smaller squares for mini puff pastry bites.
Susan
This looks amazing and so simple! How many inches are the squares? My puff pastry is a rectangle.
Amanda
Thanks! The ones I use are rectangle that is 10" x 15" so I roll it out a bit thinner and cut approximately 4" squares. Enjoy!