These goat cheese appetizers will become a favorite recipe for a great many reasons. They're easy to make yet impressive, universally liked, vegetarian friendly and beautiful.
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Puff pastry is the base
You've got to love puff pastry. It's a staple that many home cooks keep in their fridge or freezer for its versatility. If you don't, you should start. It can be a delicious starting point for an endless variety of breakfast dishes, appetizers, sides and entrees.
We've rolled our puff pastry to make it smooth and slightly thinner and then cut it into squares. Each square presses nicely into the cup of a mini muffin pan, and then we fill with our other ingredients - a goat cheese mixture and roasted tomatoes.
Be sure to watch the video below for a visual how-to!
How to make roasted grape tomatoes
Grape tomatoes are the perfect size for using on these goat cheese appetizers because they're small. We make them for our savory Dutch Baby too, but you could probably think of lots of places they would be good.
Cut the tomatoes in half and then toss in olive oil and salt and pepper. Lay them on a baking pan cut side up and roast for about 30 to 40 minutes. It's as easy as that. If you're prepping for a dinner or cocktail party you could easily roast the tomatoes and make the cheese mixture the day before.
The goat cheese mixture
We like to use pre-crumbled goat cheese but you can certainly crumble your own. A few minutes in the freezer will make that task easier. That technique comes in handy with this go-to recipe, too - Salad with Oranges, Goat Cheese and Marinated Asparagus.
While we're on the subject of goat cheese this Goat Cheese with Honey Spread is also a super versatile dish. Serve it with veggies, fruit or flatbread.
The herbs are a great place to make this dish your own, altering according to your preference. If you use fresh herbs you should always keep in mind that they don't have as powerful a punch as dried herbs. A good rule of thumb is to use three times what you would if it were dried.
Lemon zest is an ingredient that I absolutely would not leave out. That's what gives these appetizers the flavor that makes them special.
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A few items you'll need for making these goat cheese appetizers:
- A rolling pin for getting the puff pastry thinner. Ours is old school wooden, but this page has lots of options
- This is our favorite tool for zesting lemons
- mini muffin tin (we always recommend non-stick)
- If you use fresh herbs you have got to get these herb shears! They're awesome
- a pizza cutter is ideal for cutting the puff pastry
- Not absolutely essential, but we love having a mat for rolling out pastry
📖 Recipe
Goat Cheese Appetizers with Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- zest of one-half lemon
- ½-1 teaspoon herbs We like Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½-1 clove garlic minced
- ¾ cup grape tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut tomatoes in half and toss with olive oil, ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
- Place tomatoes on baking sheet cut side up and roast at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Set aside.
- Roll puff pastry on lightly floured surface to smooth and slightly thin.
- Cut puff pastry into 24 squares about 1.5 inches, cutting off uneven edges as necessary.
- Mix goat cheese, mayonnaise, zest, herbs, garlic, remaining salt until creamy.
- Press pastry squares into mini muffin tins and then add about ¾-1 teaspoon cheese mixture to each.
- Top with 1 roasted tomato half, and bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes.
- Garnish with additional herbs if desired.
If you love goat cheese (and you probably do if you're reading this) then you'll want to check out Melon & Prosciutto Salad with Goat Cheese. It's perfect in summer when the melons are at their peak!
More recipes you'll want to try:
Alisa Infanti says
I made a charcuterie board for dinner the other night and made these to go with it. Delicious!
Pam says
That sounds good. Thanks, Alisa!
Angela says
The fresh herbs and lemon zest really do make this dish.
Pam says
It is pretty tasty. Thank you, Angela!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
These are so cute! And I bet they're delicious too.
Pam says
Thanks so much, Helen!
Carrie Robinson says
Such an elegant appetizer idea! I can't wait until I can have people over again & entertain. 🙂
Pam says
Thank Carrie. One day soon...
Jessica says
These are stunning! I love all things with goat cheese so I know they will be great!
Pam says
Thanks so much Jessica!
Marlynn says
Made these when we had friends over the other night and they were a big hit! So easy, elegant, and delicious.
Pam says
Thank you for letting us know Marlynn. We're glad y'all loved them!
marynette says
What fresh herbs are you using?
Pam says
We like to use the blend Italian Seasoning, but you can certainly customize to your preference.
Tavo says
What a lovely recipe! Loved all the flavors! I found it so the Mediterranean, it is my kind of appetizer. Thanks for sharing.
Pam says
Thank you so much!
Claudia Lamascolo says
What a wonderful combination of flavors this was delicious!
Pam says
Awww.. thanks for letting us know Claudia!
Shanna says
I love how light and fluffy the pastry was. Then you add in all the yummy toppings and I was in heaven.
Denay DeGuzman says
Yesterday I made these mini appetizers with roasted tomatoes. They were so good! I'll be using this as a game-day recipe and for the holidays.
Pam says
That's great to hear. Thanks for letting us know Denay!
Gayle says
Can these be served at room temperature?
Pam says
Yes, Gayle. They would be fine at room temp.