Vegan Apple and Cheese Tarts are the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. They're also a great snack for holiday parties. Made with puff pastry, vegan cheese, apples, and rosemary, this recipe is super easy to make.
Vegan Apple and Cheese Tarts
Dennis and I used to have a fall tradition of spending a day in New York state. We'd go apple picking, visit farm stands, and gawk at the changing leaves. We would always load up my car with a half-bushel of apples, and drive home while recipe ideas swirled in my head.
While I do eat my fair share of apples right off the core, I also like to bake with them. What I don’t like to do is make my own dough. I don’t know why, but I’ve always had an aversion to mixing and rolling out my own dough. Fortunately, pre-made dough is super easy to find. Just make sure you read the ingredients and make sure there aren't any dairy or eggs lurking.
Sweet apple treats are always fun, but lately I often find myself with a hankering for something savory. Apples and cheese pair together well, so I decided to create mini tarts a few years ago, after one of our autumn adventures.
What You Need
- Puff pastry
- Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread
- Apples
- Rosemary
- Flakey sea salt
See the recipe card for exact amounts
Puff Pastry
Not all puff pastry is vegan, so make sure you check the ingredients list on the back. The brands my local Whole Foods carries all contain butter, but I was able to find egg and dairy free puff pastry at ShopRite. I used Pepperidge Farm pastry for these photos.
Vegan Cheese
I use my homemade Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread to make these tarts. If you don't want to make your own, you can use store-bought nondairy cheese. Try Kite Hill Garlic and Herb Soft Spreadable Cheese, Treeline Herb Garlic Soft French-Style Cheese, or Boursin Dairy-Free.
How to make Vegan Apple and Cheese Tarts
These tarts are super easy to make!
First you need to thaw the puff pastry according to the package instructions.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then you lightly roll the pastry sheets out on a light floured surface, just to iron out the creases from being folded in the package.
- Next, you slice each sheet into four squares.
- Now you score the outer edge of the squares about ¼-inch from the outside to create an outer “crust.” While baking this outer edge puffs up to light and flakey perfection!
- Then you spread some of the vegan cheese on the inside of those inside of that scored squares.
- Next you top each one with a few apple slices.
- Then you light brush aquafaba over the tarts. This acts as a vegan version of an egg wash and brings out the pastry's golden color.
- Finally you sprinkle on flaked sea salt and fresh rosemary and popped them in the oven for 35 minutes
Serving Your Vegan Apple and Cheese Tarts
Serve these tarts straight from the oven, warm, or room temperature.
They are perfect for entertaining. Serve them as a dinner appetizer or party snack They’re fun to serve with brunch, too. But beware – they’re so good, you might be tempted to keep them all to yourself!
Vegan Apple and Cheese Tarts
Ingredients
Tartlets
- 1 17.6-ounce package puff pastry thawed according to the package
- 1 cup Garlic and Herb Cheese Spread or your favorite nondairy cheese spread
- 2 tablespoons aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas or white beans)
- 3 medium-sized apples cored and cut into ⅛-¼-inch slices.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375°.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into four squares.
- Use a knife to gently score the puff pastry squares about ½ inch from the outer edges. Take care not to cut all the way through.
- Place a large dollop of the cheese on each puff pastry square and spread it around so that it fills the square that you’ve scored in the center.
- Top with 5 or 6 slices of apple. Brush the tops of the apples and the sides of the puff pastry with the aquafaba, and sprinkle the sea salt and rosemary on top.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the pastry is golden brown.
- These tartlets can served warm, straight from the oven, or at room temperature.
More apple recipes you might enjoy include
More autumn appetizers include
- Tomato Tartlets with Spinach Pesto
- Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
- Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites
- Stuffed Mini Pumpkins
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I love how pretty these tartlets are! And I'm all about apples right now.
Dianne
Thank you, Amy!
Becky Striepe
Oh my goodness, these are gorgeous, Dianne! I wantttt one!
Dianne
Thanks, Becky! I wish I could send you one!
Jenn
These are so beautiful! I used to love apples and cheese together, so this has me very excited. And, I just happen to have some puff pastry that's been burning a hole in my freezer. Time to get to work!
Dianne
Thank you, Jenn! I hope you enjoy them!
Nicole Dawson
I'm with you...completely dislike making my own puff pastry. These are so handy & always in my freezer.
Dianne
They are!
Susan
Oh yum, these look great. I am a big fan of cheese and apple together.
Dianne
Thank you, Susan!
Asad @ My Quirky Creation
Love your Vegan Cheese and Apple Tartlets, perfect snack for breakfast!
Dianne
Thank you, Asad!
Mel | avirtualvegan.com
I love these! They are so versatile too. Perfect with some salad for a light dinner but pretty enough for dinner parties. Perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
Dianne
Thank you, Mel!
Linda from Veganosity
These sound incredible! I didn't know that Pepperidge Farm pastry puff was vegan. That makes me so happy!
Dianne
Thanks, Linda! Yes, it's one of those accidentally vegan foods.
Kristina
I just randomly bought a puff pastry because I haven't had it in a while... no plans for it, but now I think I'll make these - YUM
Dianne
What a happy coincidence! Enjoy!
Trinity Bourne
Oh yes please! They look adorably cute and delicious.
Yummy - I am ready to tuck in.
Dianne
Thanks, Trinity!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
I love how cute the little tartlets are! They sound absolutely delicious too. Perfect party food!
Dianne
Thank you, Sophia!
Alisa Fleming
These look so perfectly pretty Dianne and I love the cheesy filling. I've actually never worked with puff pastry, but it looks so easy!
Dianne
Thanks, Alisa! It's super easy to work with.
Sarah De la Cruz
I adore puff pastry, and this looks like a perfect appetizer!!!
Dianne
Thank you so much, Sarah!
Cristina
I made half a batch with apple and half with red onion. Very good!!! I added a little nutritional yeast to the vegan cheese, as mine was a little too liquid, and it turned out perfect.
Dianne
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Cristina!