Pear Gruyere Puff Pastry Tart

This pear gruyere puff pastry tart is a delicious sweet and savory holiday appetizer! Melty gruyere cheese hides under a layer of sliced pears with hints of thyme and honey, all on a flaky pastry. With only 5 ingredients, this easy appetizer is simple and elegant! (vegetarian, nut-free)

Holiday season means party season, and for me, that means entertaining season! The holiday season can also mean unexpected guests and last-minute gatherings, so it's always good to have a few simple ingredients on hand to throw together a quick party appetizer in case company shows up. That's why I always keep a few good cheeses in the fridge and a package of puff pastry in the freezer. You can never go wrong with those 2 things.

Why You'll Love This Pear Tart

This yummy pear gruyere puff pastry tart is such a treat with a glass of wine and good friends. It's sure to please all of your guests (even those last-minute ones who may or may not be hard to please). A delicious sweet and savory combination of pears and gruyere cheese melt into a golden puff pastry. With a touch of fresh thyme, a drizzle of honey, and a pinch of salt, it tastes complex and looks so pretty, but it's actually a cinch to throw together with just 5 simple ingredients! Whether as part of a heavy hors d'oeuvre spread or a pre-dinner snack, this gorgeous pear tart just might become your go-to holiday party appetizer.

The Ingredients

• Frozen puff pastry - Usually found with the frozen desserts or frozen fruit near the whopped cream and pie shells.
• Gruyere - If you can't find this delicious cheese (typically in the deli section), try Asiago or one of Sartori's cheeses, like the Belavitano or aged cheddar. You can also sub Jarlsberg or Emmental.
• Pears - You'll need about 2 medium pears. They're ready when the neck is just barely soft when pressed.
• Fresh thyme
• Honey and Sea Salt for finishing

How To Make It

1. Core and thinly slice the pears (about ¼ inch thick).
2. Line a small baking sheet with parchment. This recipe works perfectly on a quarter sheet pan. If you don't have one, I highly recommend a them - they are so useful!)
3. Roll out the thawed puff pastry into a rectangle. Fold over the edges all the way around to make a half-inch border.
4. Grate the cheese and sprinkle over the pastry dough, leaving the edges bare. Sprinkle with thyme.
5. Arrange pears close together on top of the cheese.
6. Bake at 400°F until the pastry is puffy and golden, about 20 minutes.
7. Drizzle the tart with honey and sprinkle with sea salt. Cut into squares (I cut 9) and serve!

Pro tip: I prefer to thaw puff pastry (out of the box) on the counter. It usually takes about an hour or so. To thaw a puff pastry sheet quickly, wrap it in a paper towel and pop it in the microwave on the defrost setting (or 50% power) for 20 seconds. Flip it over and repeat.

Can This Appetizer Be Made In Advance?

I don't recommend making it in advance. The pastry will likely become soggy, and the pears may brown. This one is best made right before serving.

Don't miss these other Easy Party Appetizers with 5 Ingredients or Less!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a star rating in the comments below!

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This post was originally publish December 2018 and has been updated.