Fig Goat Cheese Puff Pastry appetizer with caramelized pears. Just 5 ingredients – easy, elegant, festive – perfect this holiday season!

closeup of fig goat cheese puff pastry studded with pomegrate seeds

Golden, flaky puff pastry topped with fig jam, sweet caramelized sliced pears and tangy goat cheese.

Fresh thyme and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds make this easy 5 ingredient appetizer a tasty addition to any holiday table!

white plate with fig goat cheese puff pastry

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

  • Just 5 ingredients!
  • It looks like fancy appetizer that takes hours but it whips up in a jiffy!
  • It’s made from simple grocery store ingredients.
  • Store bought puff pastry and fig jam make this recipe simple and quick with serious wow factor.
  • The blend of sweet fig jam, tangy goat cheese and caramelized sliced pears are a perfectly balanced flavor explosion!
  • Studding this easy appetizer with pomegranate seeds gives it a festive holiday finish.
  • Serve these pastries alone or add to a cheese plate or cheese board.

WHAT’S IN THIS FIG GOAT CHEESE PUFF PASTRY?

For this easy appetizer, you’ll need just 5 ingredients and a few minutes to caramelize the pears. Don’t skip this step – it takes the pears from good to so good you’ll be obsessed.

  1. frozen store-bought puff pastry sheets thawed
  2. jar of fig jam
  3. fresh pears
  4. butter
  5. goat cheese

OPTIONAL GARNISHES:

  • fresh thyme, rosemary or other fresh herbs
  • pomegranate seeds

HOW TO MAKE FIG GOAT CHEESE PUFF PASTRY:

Thaw the puff pastry sheet completely in the fridge.

Use a sharp knife to slice pears (leave skin on) into about 1/4 inch slices.

Melt butter in a skillet then add the pears and sauté 2-3 minutes until they’re softened (but not mushy). Remove from the heat and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400° then line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

On a lightly floured surface (counter or cutting board), unfold one puff pastry sheet. Use a rolling pin to press any curled edges.

Using a knife or pizza wheel, cut along the seams to make 3 long rectangular strips. Next cut each strip into 3 approximately equal squares.

Repeat with the second pastry sheet then then transfer the squares to the baking sheet.

Using a paring knife, score the puff pastry along the edge as shown without cutting through then gently press in the center of each square with your finger forming an indentation.

Add a small teaspoon of fig jam to the center of each pastry square then top with 1-2 slices of pear, gently pressing the pear into the depression.

Transfer the baking tray to the center rack of the preheated oven and bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and top with a few crumbles of goat cheese (between 2-4 ounces of goat cheese total).

Optional garnish:  For a festive look, add a few fresh thyme leaves and a couple of pomegranate seeds (arils). Serve warm or room temp.

closeup fig goat cheese puff pastry with pomegranate seeds

SUBS AND VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:

  • Try cream cheese, blue cheese or even honey goat cheese.
  • Caramelized onion jam or bacon jam would be delicious in place of fig jam.
  • Salty bacon, pancetta or crispy prosciutto on top are tasty additions.
  • Sprinkle pecans over the top for texture and a light crunch.
  • Substitute other fresh fruit like apples or fresh figs.
  • Use pie crust if puffed pastry isn’t available.

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER PASTRY:

Leftover Fig Goat Cheese Puff Pastry can be stored in an airtight container or in plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

LOOKING FOR MORE EASY HOLIDAY APPETIZERS?

These easy impressive appetizers (and a cocktail too!) will be the hit of any gathering.

Christmas Margarita – just 4 ingredients – delicious, festive holiday cocktail with tequila and cranberry juice.

Cranberry Brie Pastry Braid – made with cranberry sauce, brie cheese and crescent dough. Great holiday appetizer – perfect for brunch too!

Crockpot Grape Jelly-BBQ Meatballs – a super easy appetizer with just 3 ingredients and 5 minute prep – juicy meatballs blanketed in a sweet and spicy sauce.

Christmas Tree Bread – easy Christmas appetizer or side dish from refrigerator pizza dough. Loaded with cheese, garlic butter and fresh herbs.

Enjoy!

pinterest pin for fig goat cheese puff pastry

Tried this Fig Goat Cheese Puff Pastry recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME with a photo of yours on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife 

closeup of fig goat cheese puff pastry studded with pomegrate seeds

Fig Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer

A Gouda Life
5 Ingredient Puff Pastry Appetizer with fig jam, goat cheese and caramelized pears.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories

Equipment

  • baking sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package store bought frozen puff pastry thawed (2 sheets)
  • 1/2 cup fig jam
  • 2 small pears skins on, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2-4 ounces goat cheese crumbled

Optional Garnishes

  • fresh thyme leaves
  • pomegranate seeds

Instructions
 

  • Thaw the puff pastry sheet completely in the fridge.
  • Slice pears (skin on) into about 1/4 inch slices. Melt butter in a skillet then add the pears and sauté 2-3 minutes until they’re softened (but not mushy). Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 400° then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface unfold one puff pastry sheet and use a rolling pin to press any curled edges.
  • Cut along the seams to make 3 long rectangular strips then cut each strip into 3 approximately equal squares. Repeat with the second pastry sheet then then transfer the squares to the baking sheet (you'll have 18 total).
  • Using a paring knife, score the puff pastry along the edge as shown without cutting through then gently press in the center of each square with your finger forming an indentation.
    Pear Blue Cheese Puff Pastry Bites ~ golden puff pastry + maple bacon onion jam, caramelized pears and blue cheese. A simple, elegant holiday appetizer.
  • Add a small teaspoon of fig jam to the center of each pastry square then top with 1-2 slices of pear, gently pressing the pear into the depression. 
  • Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and top with a few crumbles of goat cheese and *optional garnish* a few fresh thyme leaves and a couple of pomegranate seeds (arils). Serve warm or room temp.
Keyword fig goat cheese pinwheels, fig goat cheese appetizer, fig goat cheese puff pastry, puff pastry appetizer, best holiday appetizer
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