Description
These Goat Cheese and Honey Bites are a deliciously elegant appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy goat cheese, honey, and fresh thyme. Perfect for holiday entertaining or sophisticated snacking, they are baked to golden perfection and drizzled with honey and topped with nuts for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
Filling
- 4 oz goat cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (optional, for creamier texture)
- 2–3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pistachios (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet slightly to smooth out any folds. Cut it into 12 equal squares and arrange them evenly on the baking sheet.
- Make the cheese filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, cream cheese if using, honey, thyme leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the bites: Spoon about one teaspoon of the cheese mixture into the center of each puff pastry square. You can either fold the corners gently toward the center to enclose the filling slightly or leave them open-faced according to your preference.
- Apply egg wash: Using a brush, lightly coat the edges of each puff pastry square with the beaten egg. This will give them a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Bake the bites: Place the prepared baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and beautifully golden brown.
- Add final touches and serve: Remove the bites from the oven, immediately drizzle with extra honey for added sweetness, and sprinkle chopped walnuts or pistachios on top if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can add a small dollop of fig jam or a thin slice of pear under the cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
- These bites make a fantastic appetizer for holiday parties or elegant gatherings.
- Feel free to substitute pistachios with other nuts like pecans or almonds depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
