Description
These delightful Goat Cheese and Honey Bites combine creamy goat cheese with a touch of honey and fresh thyme, all wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Perfect as a sophisticated appetizer or snack, they bake quickly to a golden crisp and offer a beautiful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
- flour for dusting
Filling
- 4 oz goat cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons honey (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For Brushing
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to smooth out any creases, ensuring an even texture for baking.
- Cut Pastry Squares: Cut the puff pastry into 12 equal squares, which will form the bite-sized bases of your appetizer.
- Add Filling: Place a small spoonful of softened goat cheese in the center of each square. Drizzle lightly with honey, then sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves or chopped nuts if desired for extra flavor and texture.
- Fold Pastry Edges: Gently fold the corners of each square slightly inward to help contain the filling during baking, maintaining the bite’s shape.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the edges of each puff pastry square with the beaten egg. This will give the bites a beautiful golden color and a shiny finish once baked.
- Bake: Transfer the prepared bites to the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle additional honey over the top before serving warm to enhance the sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- You can prepare the bites ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake, making this recipe excellent for entertaining.
- For a sweet-savory twist, try adding a small dollop of fig jam or cranberry sauce beneath the goat cheese before baking.
