Description
French Onion Soup Bites are bite-sized, savory appetizers that capture the rich, caramelized onion flavor of classic French Onion Soup, baked inside flaky pastry cups and topped with melted Gruyère or mozzarella cheese. Perfect for gatherings and cozy winter nights, these easy-to-make treats blend sweet, savory, and melty textures in a warm, shareable form.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onion Filling
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
- ¼ cup beef broth or vegetable broth
- Optional: splash of balsamic vinegar or white wine
Assembly
- 1 sheet puff pastry (or phyllo shells / crescent dough)
- 1 to 1½ cups shredded Gruyère or mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Melt butter and olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions along with sugar, salt, and black pepper. Cook the onions slowly for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become deep golden brown, jammy, and caramelized. Deglaze the pan by adding beef or vegetable broth or a splash of balsamic vinegar or white wine, stirring to intensify the flavor and loosen any browned bits.
- Prepare the Pastry Base: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the puff pastry sheet into small squares and press each into the cavities of a mini muffin tin to form little cups. Alternatively, arrange phyllo cups or crescent dough bites in the muffin tin as your base.
- Fill the Bites: Spoon a generous amount of the caramelized onion mixture into each prepared pastry cup, filling them almost to the top. Then, top each cup with a generous layer of shredded Gruyère or mozzarella cheese to create a rich, melty finish.
- Bake: Place the filled pastry cups on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 17 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pastry is golden and crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bites from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves or chopped parsley for a fresh herbal note. Serve warm to enjoy gooey cheese pulls and savory flavors.
Notes
- Caramelize onions low and slow for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Use Gruyère cheese for an authentic French Onion Soup taste; mozzarella provides a good melt.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for extra depth and a slight tang.
- For crispier bases, pre-bake the pastry cups before filling.
- You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version.
- Freeze baked bites and reheat at 350°F until warmed through for easy make-ahead options.
- Variations include crescent roll bites for a softer base or phyllo cups for an ultra-crispy, elegant presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: French Onion Soup Bites, caramelized onion appetizers, puff pastry appetizers, Gruyère cheese snacks, holiday party appetizers, cozy winter bites, melty cheese bites
