Description
French Onion Soup Bites are delicious savory appetizers featuring caramelized sweet onions atop flaky puff pastry squares, topped with melted Gruyere or Swiss cheese, and baked to golden perfection. Garnished with fresh thyme, these bites combine rich flavors and an elegant presentation perfect for parties or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Puff Pastry and Topping
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry - thawed
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese or Swiss cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped thyme
For the Caramelized Onions
- 3 medium sweet onions - thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp dry sherry or red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375℉ and lightly grease a 24-cavity mini muffin pan. Set aside.
- Caramelize Onions: Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add butter and let melt. Add sliced onions and toss to separate. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and begin to brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle sugar and black pepper. If onions cook too quickly, reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in dry sherry or red wine vinegar once caramelized. Remove from heat and transfer to a small bowl.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet slightly. Cut into 24 equal small squares with a knife.
- Assemble Bites: Press each puff pastry square into one cavity of the muffin pan to form a shell. Spoon about one tablespoon of caramelized onions onto each pastry square.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese over the onions in each pastry cup. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped thyme over the bites. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla for best caramelization and flavor.
- If dry sherry or red wine vinegar is not available, a splash of balsamic vinegar makes a good substitute.
- Gruyere cheese adds a nutty flavor, but Swiss cheese works well as a milder alternative.
- Make sure to watch the oven carefully towards the end to avoid burning the delicate puff pastry bites.
- These bites can be prepared ahead and reheated briefly before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
