Description
These Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites are elegant, savory-sweet appetizers perfect for entertaining. Flaky puff pastry cups are filled with luscious fig jam, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts, then brushed with egg wash for a beautiful golden finish and topped with fresh rosemary and flaky sea salt. Easy to prepare and bake, they make a delightful finger food for parties or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pastry Cups
- All purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed overnight in the fridge
For the Filling
- ½ cup fig jam
- 4 oz. log goat cheese
- ½ cup raw walnuts or pecans, chopped
For the Egg Wash and Topping
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
- Cooking spray, for greasing the muffin tin
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the tin: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and generously spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Roll out the puff pastry: Dust your countertop and rolling pin with all-purpose flour to prevent sticking. Lay the thawed puff pastry sheet on the board and roll it gently into a roughly 10-inch by 15-inch rectangle.
- Cut and shape the pastry cups: Using a large knife, cut the pastry into 24 squares approximately 2.5 inches each (4 columns by 6 rows). Place each square into a muffin tin cavity, then use your fingers to press the pastry into the sides to form little cups. Prick the bottom of each cup twice with a fork to stop the pastry from puffing up too much during baking.
- Fill the pastry cups: Spoon about ½ to ¾ teaspoon of fig jam into each cup. Top with a few crumbles of goat cheese and approximately 1 teaspoon of chopped walnuts or pecans per bite.
- Brush with egg wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to apply the egg wash onto the edges of each puff pastry cup. This creates a glossy, golden crust once baked.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Finish and serve: Remove the tray from the oven and immediately sprinkle each bite with finely chopped fresh rosemary and a pinch of flaky sea salt for added flavor. Allow the bites to cool for about 5 minutes before gently lifting them out of the tin with a fork. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 24 bites.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is thoroughly thawed and cold before working with it for best results and easy handling.
- The fork pricking step is crucial to avoid excessive puffing that can distort the cups.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or other nuts depending on your preference.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a 350ºF oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness.
- For a vegan version, consider using dairy-free cheese and an egg substitute for the wash.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fig jam, goat cheese, puff pastry, appetizer, party bites, walnut, rosemary, easy holiday appetizer
