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.

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!

How to make pear puff pastry tarts:

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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:
  • Assemble the tarts, freeze them on a parchment lined baking sheet and then transfer them to an airtight container and freeze for up to a month.
  • 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.

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

• Caramelized Onion Tarts with Blue Cheese
• Baked Spinach & Artichoke Dip
• Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese Dip
• Parmesan & Prosciutto Bundles
• Easy Tomato Tart
• Roasted Tomatoes with Burrata & Balsamic

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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.