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Pear Tart with Blue Cheese

5 ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to get these flaky, buttery puff pastry pear tarts in the oven! Sweet fig jam, tender sliced pears and tangy blue cheese make this a delicious, crowd pleasing appetizer.

Overhead shot of pear tarts on a cooling rack


 

Why you’re going to love these pear puff pastry tarts:

  • They’re SO simple. Just 5 ingredients, friends! AND the only prep work that you have to do is slicing the pears and the puff pastry.
  • No fancy kitchen tools or skills required. You don’t even need a rolling pin! This recipe is simple enough that any kitchen novice can confidently make this appetizer!
  • The flavor combination creates the perfect sweet and savory appetizer for your next party or holiday get together. Which means you can serve it as an appetizer or a dessert – you decide whether you want to start or finish your meal with it!
Close up shot of pear tarts on a cooling rack

How to make pear puff pastry tarts:

Unfold puff pastry sheet and cut along the seams, creating three long rectangles.

White marble counter top with three rectangles of puff pastry on it

Cut each rectangle into 3 equal size squares. Do the same with second pastry sheet. 

White marble counter top with puff pastry squares on it

Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Placing tarts about an inch apart. Score a crust about a half inch from the edge of each tart.

Puff pastry squares on a parchment lined baking sheet

Use a pastry brush to paint the beaten egg just across the outer crust of each tart.

Puff pastry squares on a parchment lined baking sheet

Spread about a small spoonful of fig jam across the center of each tart, keeping it within the scored lines.

Puff pastry squares on a parchment lined baking sheet being spread with fig jam

Place 4-5 slices of pear in the center of the tart, overlapping them.

Puff pastry squares with fig jam and pears on a parchment lined baking sheet

Divide blue cheese between the tarts, gently pressing it into the pears to ensure that it stays put.  

Puff pastry squares with fig jam pears and blue cheese on a parchment lined baking sheet

Bake for 18-22 minutes or until edges are a dark golden brown and the puff pastry is cooked through.

Parchment lined baking sheet with fresh baked square pear tarts

Tips for making the best puff pastry tarts:

  • You can use slightly under ripe pears for this recipe so don’t worry if the ones you find aren’t completely ripe. The baking process is going to help soften the pears.
  • Puff pastry is the very best dough for this recipe. Crescent rolls or even pie crust can be used in a pinch, but puff pastry is going to give you the tastiest pear tarts.
  • Puff pastry is pretty forgiving, but it needs to be kept cold in order to rise properly when baked. Don’t let these tarts sit out on the counter for too long or get anywhere near room temp before you bake them. It’s best to work quickly for optimal results!
Overhead shot of pear tarts on a cooling rack

Frequently asked questions:

  • Do I have to use puff pastry?
    • I mean I’m not going to tell you how to live your life… And while you could use pie crust or even crescent rolls, that buttery, flaky puff pastry is going to be your best bet for this dish! So opt for the puff pastry to get the best results.
    • If you have enough foresight (which I often do not!) thaw the puff pastry in the fridge overnight so they are easy to unroll and cut. Otherwise you can thaw them on the counter for 40 minutes or so.
  • Where can I find puff pastry?
    • You can find puff pastry in the freezer section of your grocery store near the dessert items.
    • Pepperidge Farm is my favorite reasonably priced brand that can be found at most grocery stores.

Making pear tarts ahead of time:

  • Make ahead and refrigerate:
    • Assemble tarts on parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
    • Then the tarts can go right from the fridge to the oven. They made need just a smidge more time in the oven, so plan to increase bake time by a minute or two.
  • Make ahead and freeze:
    • The day before baking, allow the tarts to thaw in the fridge overnight on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake according to the recipe directions below.
Close up shot of pear tarts on a cooling rack

If you liked these pear tarts, check out these other sweet and savory appetizers:

Print

Pear Tarts with Blue Cheese

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

These fig jam, pear and blue cheese tarts are SO easy to make and oh so delicious. Perfect for your next party or backyard barbecue!

  • Author: Kylie
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 18 tarts 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
  • 2/3 cup fig jam
  • 2 pears, thinly sliced
  • 5 oz. crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Unfold puff pastry sheet and cut along the seams, creating three long rectangles.
  3. Cut each rectangle into 3 equal size squares. Do the same with second pastry sheet. 
  4. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Placing tarts about an inch apart.
  5. Score a crust about a half inch from the edge of each tart.
  6. Use a pastry brush to paint the beaten egg just across the outer crust of each tart.
  7. Spread about a small spoonful of fig jam across the center of each tart, keeping it within the scored lines.
  8. Place 4-5 slices of pear in the center of the tart, overlapping them.
  9. Divide blue cheese between the tarts, gently pressing it into the pears to ensure that it stays put.  
  10. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until edges are a dark golden brown and the puff pastry is cooked through and enjoy!

Notes

You can use slightly under ripe pears for this recipe so don’t worry if the ones you find aren’t completely ripe. The baking process is going to help soften the slightly ripened pears.

Puff pastry is the very best dough for this recipe. Crescent rolls or even pie crust can be used in a pinch, but puff pastry is going to give you the tastiest pear tarts.

Puff pastry is pretty forgiving, but it needs to be kept cold in order to rise properly when baked. Don’t let these tarts sit out on the counter for too long or get anywhere near room temp before you bake them. It’s best to work quickly for optimal results!

This post was originally published in May of 2018. It was updated in September of 2019 to include process shots, step-by-step instructions and tips for making the best pear tarts every single time.

7 Comments

  1. These were terrific! I like to try new appetizers and everyone loved them! Perfect just the way they are!! One guy said he usually hates blue cheese but it was perfect on these!
    Making them again right now for New Year’s Eve! Cheers!






  2. I don’t like blue cheese. Have you tried to make this with feta or any other cheese that crumbles?

    Thanks for a great recipe!

    1. Use your favorite jam for this! Apricot jam probably has the most similar flavor to fig jam but it’s much less expensive. Great question, Valerie!

    1. That is such a great idea, Dawn! These are one of our family’s favorite. Sweet, tangy, and delicious! Thanks for leaving a review – I really appreciate it 🙂

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