Pear Tart With Puff Pastry and Cheddar

If you're after an easy yet impressive tart recipe, this Pear Tart With Puff Pastry is your answer. With a buttery base, sharp cheddar, and fresh pears sliced thin, it's a delicious recipe that comes together in no time. Finished with a drizzle of honey, it's the perfect balance of sweet pear and savoury goodness.h

Jump to:

• Savoury Tart With Pears
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Variations
• What Pears To Use?
• Step-By-Step Method
• What To Serve Pear Puff Pastry Tart With?
• Storage
• More Savoury Tart Recipes
• Pear Tart With Puff Pastry and Cheddar

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Savoury Tart With Pears

The best part about this easy pear tart is how simple yet impressive it is. It's the perfect way to combine sharp cheddar with sweet pears, all on a crispy puff pastry base. With a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of pecans, it's a no-fuss recipe that looks and tastes like you've gone all out.

Looking for bite-sized puff pastry ideas? Try our Baked Feta Bites!

Ingredients and Substitutes

• ready-rolled puff pastry: we used shop-bought pastry on this occasion, but if you want a project, here's a delicious sourdough puff pastry recipe for you to try.  
• small egg: for the egg wash.
• Cheddar cheese: sharp and mature is best. You may also try it with smoked Cheddar. We have plenty of other options in the Variations section below.  
• pears: ripe but firm, cut into thin slices. 
• honey: may be replaced with date molasses or agave nectar. For a spicy kick, try our Homemade Hot Honey With Smoked Paprika. You may sprinkle the pears with a little brown sugar 5 minutes before the tart has finished cooking instead.  
• pecan nuts: roughly chopped and toasted. You may also use walnuts. 
• sea salt: for sprinkling. 

Variations

Make this Pear Tart With Puff Pastry your own by playing around with some ingredients: 

• CHEESE: replace cheddar with crumbly blue cheese (like Stilton). Alternatively, spread the middle of the pastry with cream cheese or young goat cheese. 
• EXTRA SWEETNESS: add small mounds of your favourite chutney or jam. We love caramelized onions and fig jam on this pear tart. 
• HONEY: two words - hot honey!
• SIZE: Make small pear puff pastry tarts by cutting the pastry into smaller squares. Note that small pear tartlets will cook quicker, so you may not need to pre-cook puff pastry. Just score the corner, top it with cheese and pears and bake for approx 20-25 minutes.

What Pears To Use?

When it comes to picking the right pears, you've got options. Bartlett and Anjou Pears pears are both great choices if you want a bit more sweetness. Conference pears are also a solid choice with their firmer texture. Avoid overly juicy pears (or overripe pears) as they will make the pastry go soggy. 

Here are some more pear recipes to try:

Step-By-Step Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

2. Beat an egg lightly in a small bowl for egg wash. 

3. Core the pears and slice them into very thin 2-3 mm slices. 

TIP: Toss the sliced pears with a little lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Drain your pears of any excess juices before placing them on top of the puff pastry. 

3. Unroll the store-bought puff pastry onto the parchment paper sheet it was rolled in and place it onto a baking sheet.

TIP: Take the pastry out of the fridge for about 20-30 minutes before starting to bring it to room temperature (but keep it in the packet). Unrolling cold pastry will make it crack.

4. Using a sharp knife, score a border around the pastry about 1.5cm in from the edge. Brush the edge of the pastry with the beaten egg using a pastry brush (it's not necessary, but it will give the edges of the pastry a lovely deep brown colour).

5. Place the pastry in the oven for 20 minutes. It should puff up and crisp up, and turn light golden brown.

6. Once the pastry is done, take it out of the oven and carefully deflate the puffed-up middle by pressing a spatula down onto it.

7. Scatter the grated cheese all over the centre avoiding the edges of the puff pastry.

8. Arrange the sliced pear slices on top.

9. Bake the tart for 15-20 minutes until the pastry edges are deep golden colour and the pears soften.

10. In the meantime, in a small dry pan, toast the pecan nuts.

11. Once the tart is baked, drizzle the top of the pears with honey, scatter the pecans on top and sprinkle everything with a little bit of sea salt.

12. Slice into portions and serve warm!

What To Serve Pear Puff Pastry Tart With?

This pear puff pastry tart is a versatile dish that pairs well with just about anything. It makes a great sidekick to a charcuterie or cheese board, complementing rich cheeses and cured meats. For a light lunch, serve it with a fresh green salad like a Pea Shoot Salad or Courgette Ribbon Salad.

It also works brilliantly as an elegant appetiser for any occasion.

Storage

Store leftover pear tart, in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll stay fresh for up to 3 days, though the puff pastry might lose some of its crispness. If you want to reheat it, use the oven to bring back that golden crunch-avoid the microwave unless you like soggy pastry!

More Savoury Tart Recipes

I hope you loved this easy pear puff pastry tart. Here are some more savoury tarts to try next time: