Description
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, Apple, and Gruyere Bites blend sweet and savory French-inspired flavors in perfect harmony. Delicate pastry cups cradle rich layers of caramelized onions, earthy mushrooms, crisp apple, and melted Gruyere cheese, promising a delightful appetizer that wows guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (907g) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces (113g) baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1½ Granny Smith apples, cubed into ½-inch cubes
- 1½ ounces (43g) grated Gruyere cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons chives, minced
Cooking Liquids and Binding:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400°F (204°C) and arrange silicone baking mats on baking sheets for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Slowly caramelize thinly sliced onions in vegetable oil over medium heat, sprinkling with salt, stirring occasionally until they transform into a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 30 minutes.
- Transfer caramelized onions to a mixing bowl, then use the same skillet to sauté mushrooms until they become tender and release their moisture, about 5 minutes.
- Add sautéed mushrooms to the onion bowl, then melt butter in the skillet and introduce cubed apples and sugar, cooking until the apples soften and develop a slight golden edge, around 10 minutes.
- Incorporate the apple mixture into the onion and mushroom bowl, then fold in freshly grated Gruyere cheese, finely minced chives, and fragrant thyme leaves.
- Season the mixture with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry and slice into precise 2-inch squares using a sharp knife or pastry cutter.
- Arrange the pastry squares evenly across the prepared baking sheets, maintaining consistent spacing.
- Delicately brush each pastry square with beaten egg, ensuring a light, even coating for a glossy, golden finish.
- Carefully place one tablespoon of the prepared filling in the center of each pastry square.
- Position the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, rotating the pans midway to guarantee uniform browning and crispness.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bites to cool slightly, helping them set and become easier to handle before serving.
Notes
- Layering complex flavors begins with caramelizing onions slowly, transforming their sharp bite into sweet, golden strands.
- Mushrooms add earthy depth, quickly sautéed to develop rich, concentrated umami notes that complement the sweet onions.
- Cubed apples bring surprising brightness and subtle sweetness, softening with sugar to create a balanced filling.
- Gruyere cheese melts luxuriously, binding ingredients together with its nutty, complex character and creamy texture.
- Delicate puff pastry squares provide a crisp, buttery canvas, elevating these elegant little bites from simple appetizer to gourmet treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg