These Cherry Tomato Goat Cheese Tarts taste like something from a café, but they are quick and easy to make at home with frozen puff pastry. You start by cutting store-bought pastry into small tart bases, then top them with caramelized red onion, goat cheese, and cherry tomatoes. Finish with Everything But the Bagel seasoning and bake until golden, crisp, and flaky. They make a simple party appetizer or snack and are especially good in summer when tomatoes are sweet and in season.
A SIMPLE CAFE STYLE TREAT: CHERRY TOMATO GOAT CHEESE TARTS
There are a few things I really enjoy, but a good pastry is at the top of the list. Golden flaky buttery layers and a simple filling make it hard to beat. It is one of my favorite treats when I am out for coffee or enjoying a weekend brunch.
I decided to try making a simple savory version at home using some cherry tomatoes I had on hand. I used store bought puff pastry and topped it with caramelized red onion, goat cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and Everything But the Bagel seasoning. Everything baked together into crisp golden tartlets with soft melted cheese and juicy tomatoes on top. They turned out simple but really good and reminded me of something you would find in a cafe.
I have made these puff pastry tomato tarts a few times before. They are perfect as a quick snack, light lunch, or dinner, especially when served with a simple salad. They are really good, look impressive, and are very easy to make.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE CHERRY TOMATO GOAT CHEESE TARTS
Full ingredients list and measurements provided in the recipe card, below.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Juicy and slightly sweet. They soften and burst in the oven, adding fresh flavor to the tarts. You can also use grape tomatoes, which work just as well and hold their shape nicely while baking.
- Puff Pastry – Store-bought puff pastry dough is one of my freezer staples. You can usually find it in the freezer aisle near desserts at most grocery stores. It bakes up light, flaky, and crisp, making these tarts quick and easy to assemble.
- Red Onion – Cooked slowly in butter until soft and sweet. It adds depth and a mild savory flavor that balances the cheese and tomatoes.
- Butter – It adds richness to the onions.
- Goat Cheese – Creamy and slightly tangy. It softens in the oven and adds a rich, savory flavor that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and onions.
- Egg – Brushing the puff pastry tart edges with egg wash helps them bake up golden brown with a crisp finish.
- Everything But the Bagel seasoning – Adds a crunchy, salty finish and extra flavor to the tops of the tarts.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
- Cheese: An easy way to switch up this puff pastry tomato goat cheese tarts recipe is to swap the cheese for whatever you like best. Some ideas include mozzarella, white cheddar, gouda, or gruyere.
- Garlic: Mix the cheese with minced garlic or garlic powder to add extra flavor. It blends well with the goat cheese and gives the tarts a deeper savory taste without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Herbs: Fresh or dried herbs are an easy way to add extra flavor to these tomato tarts. Sprinkle fresh herbs like basil or chives over the tarts after baking for a fresh pop of flavor.
HOW TO MAKE CHERRY TOMATO GOAT CHEESE TARTS
Full recipe directions including step-by-step are included in the recipe card, below.
- Prepare the caramelized onions: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Start by making the caramelized onions. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the sliced red onion. Cook slowly, stirring often, until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized, about 12 to 15 minutes. Once they are done, take them off the heat and let them cool slightly while you get everything else ready.
- Prepare and assemble the puff pastry: Next, take your puff pastry and unfold it on a lightly floured surface. Gently roll it out just a bit so the thickness is even, then cut it into 8 equal squares. Place them on your prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to prick the center of each square, but leave a small border around the edges so they can puff up nicely. Brush the edges with egg wash so they bake into a nice golden color. Now spoon the caramelized onions into the center of each square. Add pieces of goat cheese on top, then finish with cherry tomatoes, pressing them in slightly so they stay in place. Sprinkle Everything Bagel seasoning over the top.
- Bake and finish: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, and if you can, rotate the baking sheet halfway through so they brown evenly. They’re ready when the pastry is puffed up and golden and the cheese is soft and slightly melted. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving so they set a bit. You can enjoy them warm or at room temperature.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
While I love these cherry tomato goat cheese tarts on their own, they can also be drizzled with a touch of honey and paired with a fresh seasonal salad. Try them with Polish Cucumber Salad, Red Cabbage Salad with Apple, Orange, and Peanuts, or a simple Arugula Salad with a light lemon honey vinaigrette. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.
STORAGE AND REHEATING
Puff pastry cherry tomato goat cheese tarts are best eaten fresh when the pastry is crisp and the cheese is still warm and soft. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back some of the crispiness before serving.
MORE SIMPLE SIDE DISHES
- Bacon Wrapped Spicy Beans
- Baked Pears With Goat Cheese
- Potato Asparagus Salad
- Polish Vegetable Salad
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*Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so it should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published in April 2022, updated in May 2026.
CHERRY TOMATO GOAT CHEESE TARTS
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed from frozen (450g)
- 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup goat cheese
- 1 large egg, for egg wash (whisked with 1 tablespoon water)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Everything Bagel seasoning blend (2-3 tablespoons)
- fresh basil for garnish optional
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and cook slowly, stirring often, until the onions are soft, golden, and caramelized, about 12–15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before assembling.Work with one sheet of puff pastry at a time. Unfold the puff pastry sheet and, if the thickness is uneven, gently roll it out slightly with a rolling pin on the included sheet of parchment paper. Cut the sheet into 6 rectangles, about 3⅓ x 5 inches each. Repeat with the second sheet, then transfer the pastry pieces to the prepared baking sheet.
- Assembly: Use a fork to prick the center of each pastry square, leaving a small border around the edges. Whisk the egg in a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon of water and brush the edges of each square with egg wash using a pastry brush. Spoon the caramelized onions evenly onto the center of each square. Add pieces of goat cheese, then top with cherry tomatoes, pressing them in slightly so they stay in place. Sprinkle Everything Bagel seasoning over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through for even browning, until the pastry is puffed and deeply golden and the cheese is slightly melted.Remove from the oven and allow the tarts cool for a few minutes before serving so the filling sets. Serve warm or at room temperature.