Sweet pears, creamy & tangy goat cheese topped with salty prosciutto and sweet honey – these Pear, Prosciutto, Goat cheese & Honey tarts are a wonderfully quick and easy appetizer idea using puff pastry that’s perfect for parties, gatherings and holiday entertaining!
A great appetizer is the foreplay of a great main meal. It sets the tone for what’s to come and what can be expected. And this is that time of the year when you will appreciate a quick and easy appetizer that is also impressive and delicious. This is why the homemade rough puff pastry is an amazing recipe to keep in your arsenal because puff pastry is quite versatile and can be used as the base for any number of delectable appetizers like this cherry tomato, basil, and goat cheese appetizer that I shared recently!
With the puff pastry in hand, you can get these Pear, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Honey Tarts out on the table in 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of prep work. Plus these tarts can be made as big or as small as you like.
I love pears! I always make it a point to stock up on them during the season, because they are so versatile with plenty of different ways to use ’em. Check out these beautiful pear and chocolate tarts, pear and apple braised pork, and even this pear stuffing, and vanilla pear cocktail!
You can make this kick ass pear, prosciutto, goat cheese, honey tart appetizer using this easy homemade rough puff pastry recipe or store-bought puff pastry. They are fuss-free, look quite elegant and perfect for a crowd! And a veritable party in your mouth.
It looks simple but boy, there is a lot going on here! The puff pastry is incredibly light, buttery and flaky. The honey that’s drizzled on top and the pear slices add a touch of sweetness that is enhanced by the slight heat coming from the chili flakes (crushed red pepper). And then you have the saltiness of the prosciutto and goat cheese which perfectly complements the sweetness.
On top of that you have the crunchy texture of puff pastry and then the beautiful rich creaminess of goat cheese. If that doesn’t put your guests in the mood, then they are a hard bunch to please. Or you could try finishing off that meal with these red wine poached pears! 🙂
This flavor combo is absolute perfection. You can substitute for pears with figs or apples too. You can use maple syrup instead of honey. A touch of gorgonzola, feta or cheddar cheese can be used instead of goat cheese. It really is a very versatile appetizer dish.
You can even make these into a larger full-sized tart. Especially if you’d like to slice the tart into portions and serve these as a starter at a dinner party with a small salad on the side. These would be perfect as party food and as a starter.
Recipe
Pear, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Honey Tarts
US based cup, teaspoon, tablespoon measurements. Weight measurements are recommended for accurate results whenever available.
Common Measurement ConversionsIngredients:
- 4 Bosc pears
- 226 g soft goat cheese
- 10 prosciutto slices
- Honey
- Thyme leaves
- Chilli flakes/crushed red pepper optional
- 2 sheets sheet of square puff pastry 1 lb rough puff pastry, rolled out to 2 squares
Egg Wash
- 1 egg whisked with 2 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
- Cut the thawed puff pastry sheet into 9 squares. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush the puff pastry squares with an egg wash.
- Remove the stems from the pears and slice them length-wise.
- Remove the core and trim off the edges so you end up with a pear that’s about 2 – 2.5 inches in diameter (slightly shorter than the length of the puff pastry square).
- Using a mandolin or knife, thinly slice the pears. Place about 3 – 4 slices of pears on each pastry square (or transfer the slices into a bowl of cold water mixed with lemon juice to prevent them from browning if you’re not using them immediately).
- Crumble the goat cheese on top of the pears. Sprinkle a little crushed chili flakes/crushed red pepper on top (optional).
- Bake the tarts in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the puff pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
- Cut each prosciutto slice in two.
- When the tarts come out of the oven place a small pile of prosciutto on top (1/2 – 1 slice of prosciutto per tart). Drizzle some honey and thyme on top before serving.
- Serve while warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
If you think the flavor combos in these pear and honey tarts are going to work for you… I have a feeling this GIF might change your mind! 😉
What’s your favorite appetizer to serve during the holidays?
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