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Savory Apple Tart Bites: A Crowd Pleasing Appetizer
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When fall settles over California and apple season hits its peak, the crisp, tart flavor of Granny Smith apples becomes a staple in both sweet and savory kitchens. These Savory California Apple Tart Bites transform this classic fruit into an elegant, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s as simple to make as it is stunning to serve. With layers of buttery puff pastry, fragrant rosemary, and a touch of sweetness, they’re the perfect bite-sized celebration of California’s harvest season.
The Apple of Our Eye: California’s Granny Smiths
Granny Smith apples have long been a favorite among chefs and bakers for their firm texture and signature tartness. In California, they’re more than just an ingredient. Grown primarily in the cooler microclimates of regions like the Central Coast, Sierra Nevada foothills, and parts of Sonoma County, California Granny Smith apples benefit from warm days and cool nights, which enhance their acidity and sugar balance.
Harvested in the late summer through fall, Granny Smiths are particularly well-suited for baking. Their flesh holds its shape under heat. They are ideal for pies, crisps, galettes—and these savory tart bites. They also resist browning better than many other varieties, which means you can prep your slices ahead without sacrificing appearance or flavor.
A Simple Recipe That Delivers Complex Flavor
These tartlets come together with just a handful of ingredients—most of which you may already have on hand. Start with frozen puff pastry, a versatile base that turns golden and crisp in the oven. Thin slices of California Granny Smith apples are layered on top. Then add paper-thin onions, rosemary, and a dusting of spices and sugar. The unexpected twist? Small cubes of butter tucked between the apples and onions, which melt into the pastry as it bakes, infusing everything with savory richness.
To finish, a warm glaze made with apricot preserves and a splash of brandy adds a glossy, gently sweet finish that balances the tart apples. Prefer something more bitter? Swap the preserves for orange marmalade for a more citrus-forward variation.
Why These Tart Bites Belong at Your Next Gathering
Whether you’re serving guests or simply indulging in a cozy night in, these Savory California Apple Tart Bites are guaranteed to impress. They’re portable, prep-friendly, and bake beautifully in just over 30 minutes. The aroma alone—rosemary mingling with roasted apple and caramelized onion—is enough to draw everyone to the kitchen.
Each batch makes 12 tartlets They are perfect for parties, holiday appetizers, or seasonal wine and cheese boards. And thanks to the sturdy texture of Granny Smith apples, these bites hold up well even after baking, meaning they’re ideal for make-ahead menus.
Supporting California Grown Apples
When you choose California Grown apples you support local farmers. It also reduces food miles and celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of the Golden State. California produces over 250,000 tons of apples annually. Most of them come from small to mid-sized family farms. These growers are committed to sustainability, water conservation, and producing top-quality fruit that shines in recipes like this.
So next time you’re browsing the produce aisle or farmers market, look for California apples. Your recipes—and your guests—will thank you.
Listen to these tunes while you bake!
Try It This Season
Golden, crisp, and deeply flavorful, these tartlets capture everything we love about California’s apple season. With just 10 minutes of prep time, they’re as easy as they are elegant. Bake up a batch and serve warm with a chilled California Chardonnay or dry sparkling cider for a truly local pairing that highlights the best of what our state has to offer.
Show Us Your Tarts!
Tag your creations and adventures with #CAGROWN and follow us on Pinterest for more fresh recipe inspiration straight from the Golden State.
Savory California Apple Tart Bites
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 14- oz sheet frozen puff pastry dough
- 3 medium California Granny Smith apples
- ¼ yellow onion
- 3 sprigs rosemary plus more for garnish
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp piment d’espelette or paprika
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 4 TBSP cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes
- ¼ cup apricot preserves*
- 1 TBSP brandy
- *For fans of bitter flavors swap for orange marmalade!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the puff pastry from its package and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
- Quarter and core the apples, then slice into thin wedges. Slice the onion into very thin crescent strips. Pluck the rosemary leaves from their stems.
- Once the puff pastry has thawed enough to handle, unfold it and cut the dough into 12 equal squares. Place the squares on the prepared baking sheet, then layer the apple slices across each, fanning them across the entire surface. Top with the onion slices, then the rosemary leaves, and season with salt, pepper, piment d’espelette or paprika, and sugar. Tuck the butter cubes between slices of apple and onion, distributing evenly across the tarts. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the puff pastry is cooked through, golden and crispy on the bottom.
- While the tarts bake, prepare the glaze by combining the preserves and brandy in a small pot. Heat over medium and keep warm. When the tarts are done, remove them from the oven and gently dab the glaze over each one, then garnish with additional rosemary. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve
