Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Apple Puffs are the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas appetizer. They are easy to put together, easy to feed a crowd, and taste delicious. Sweet caramelized onion, savory mushroom and tart and sweet apple, topped with simple flavorings and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese – baked on a delicious piece of puff pastry!
Thanksgiving is all about the food, so this really is a Holiday for me. I am Norwegian and do not celebrate Thanksgiving, but as a food blogger those ‘rules’ no longer apply. I’ve been looking at Thanksgiving sides, turkeys, desserts and all kinds lately and am super excited to make my own. This is one of the first posts dedicated to my Thanksgiving project.
But that doesn’t mean that these caramelized onion, mushroom and apple puffs can’t be eaten any other time of the year. They are also perfect as a Christmas appetizer, or just as dinner with a side of salad.
If you feel like more recipes with caramelized onion and mushroom, I can highly recommend this vegetarian (and vegan friendly) quesadillas. They are filled with caramelized onion, mushroom and spinach!
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Apple Puffs
This recipe is adapted from A Table for Two. I made a smaller batch and changed up the directions, seasonings and cheese to suit my other Thanksgiving dishes. It is simple and delicious! Start by pre-heating your oven to 200C (400F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onions with a little salt for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add in the mushrooms and cook 5 more minutes, until onion is golden brown and mushroom is tender. Place the mixture in a bowl.
Melt butter in the same skillet and add apple pieces and sugar. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add into the bowl with onion and mushrooms. Add parmesan, chives and rosemary into the bowl and mix. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the puff pastry into 6 cm squares (2.3 in), and 2.5 mm thick (0.1 in). It doesn’t have to be scientific, my pastry bites aren’t all that pretty, as you may see. Place them on the prepared baking sheets and brush with a beaten egg.
Place a heaping tsp of filling in the middle of each puff pastry bite. Sprinkle with more parmesan, if you want. Bake for 20 minutes. Let the tarts cool a little before serving. Drizzle with more chives, if desired.
I think 2-3 puff pastry bites are sufficient for each person as an appetizer. They are delicious, but we need to have room for the main thing, right! Hope you will enjoy it and have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food and lovely people.
Festive Food
- Blackberry Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli
- Pumpkin Sage Brown Butter Soup (pour in smaller bowls and it’s perfect as an appetizer!)
- Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter (also perfect as a appetizer)
- Salted Caramel Macarons (excellent because it’s make ahead!)
- Blackberry Lemon Curd Pavlova Nests (also make ahead, just assemble right before)
- Hot Mulled Apple Cider (perfect for sipping during the day)
Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback, using either the comment section below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later!
In order to keep the blog up and running this post contains affiliate links, it will be at no extra cost to you, please read the disclosure for more information.
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Apple Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion or 1/2 medium, thinly sliced
- 50 gr mushroom 2 oz, sliced. I used champignon.
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tart apple e.g. granny smith. Cut in 1 cm (1/2 in) squares.
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 30 gr parmesan 1 oz, shredded
- 1 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 250 gr puff pastry 9 oz, thawed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
- Start by pre-heating your oven to 200C (400F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onions with a little salt for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add in the mushrooms and cook 5 more minutes, until onion is golden brown and mushroom is tender. Place the mixture in a bowl.
- Melt butter in the same skillet and add apple pieces and sugar. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add into the bowl with onion and mushrooms. Add parmesan, chives and rosemary into the bowl and mix. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the puff pastry into 6 cm squares (2.3 in), and 2.5 mm thick (0.1 in). It doesn't have to be scientific. Place them on the prepared baking sheets and brush with a beaten egg.
- Place a heaping tsp of filling in the middle of each puff pastry bite. Sprinkle with more parmesan, if you want. Bake for 20 minutes. Let the tarts cool a little before serving. Drizzle with more chives, if desired.
I love caramelized onions as well as apples. Though I’m not sure I’ve ever had them together. Great concept and the pictures are just so appetizing!
Thank you so much!
These look so incredibly good! I love onions and mushrooms together like this. I would eat with goat cheese too! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Lauren!
These look incredible, you had me at caramelized. Definitely going to attempt to make these this season! Thanks for sharing!
They are so easy to make, you’ll nail these!
Yum! These look delicious. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer for a holiday party!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Thank you! That was my exact thought!
These look so yummy! I love mushrooms and apples, never have combined the two, so will have to try this!
I love the combination of sweet with savory, and this worked really well!
That’s a really great combo with the caramelized onions, mushrooms and apples.
Thank you
This looks delicious. I will have to give this recipe a try 🙂
Hope you do so, thank you very much 🙂
These look yummy! The combination of apples, mushroom and onion seems interesting, I will have to try it!
It’s a good combination. Once the apples are baked they aren’t as tart and overpowering, so it was a nice balance. Thank you!
These look delicious. A great Thanksgiving app.
Thank you so much
LOVE this flavor combo and I really appreciate the step-by-step photos. Great job on this recipe – thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Madison!
Hi.
All sounds so good and I’m planning this for Thanksgiving appetizer. But have quick question, how many apples are needed ? It says 1/2 but is it half a cup or half apple? Tnx much!!
Hello Anat! It is 1/2 an apple, not cup. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and I hope you will like these Thanksgiving appetizers!