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    HOME » Recipes » Pie & Tarts

    Published: Jul 30, 2022 · Modified: Aug 13, 2023· This website generates income via ads · by Mary

    French Tomato Tart Recipe with Puff Pastry

    Jump to Recipe

    Vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes, garden fresh basil, and Gruyere and Parmesan cheese all come together in this French Tomato Tart Recipe with Puff Pastry.

    Plate with a square slice of tomato tart with basil and tomato garnish.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Tart Recipe
    • Ingredients:
    • Detailed Written Instructions:
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Looking for More Tomato Tarts?
    • Equipment
    • Expert Tips
    • French Tomato Tart Recipe with Puff Pastry
    • Comments

    Why You'll Love This Tart Recipe

    • If you love puff pastry topped with tomatoes, basil, sweet onion, and lots of cheese, this tart is for you! If you prefer a tart with a regular pie crust, click on over to my Heirloom Tomato Tart with Basil and Gruyere Cheese.
    • This tart is more of a French-style tomato tart, with Dijon mustard and herbs de Provence. It is lovely for a special brunch or any old time of day. We enjoyed a small slice tonight with our spaghetti and clam sauce.
    • This tart is a wonderful way to use gorgeous heirloom tomatoes while they are available in the summer months.
    • If this is your first time making a tomato tart, don't let the lengthy instructions deter you. This really is an easy recipe, written for a novice might need a little help. Feel free to jump straight to the recipe card if you know your way around a French tomato tart!

    Ingredients:

    All the ingredients for my French Tomato Tart Recipe with Puff Pastry.
    • Frozen puff pastry - I normally use a Pillsbury frozen puff pastry sheet. I happened to see Dufour's Classic Puff Pastry at Whole Foods and decided to try it. Dufour's is a sweet butter puff pastry for sure and may be my new favorite.
    • Fresh tomatoes - Use all red ripe tomatoes or variety of shapes and colors. I chose Mr. Stripey heirloom tomatoes for this tart. We enjoy this tomato tart in the winter as well with "ripened-on-the-vine" grocery store tomatoes. Halved cherry tomatoes work well too.
    • Fresh herbs - I love basil with tomatoes. Store the basil in the fridge until just before you need it to keep it fresh and bright green. If you prefer another soft herb, help yourself.
    • Sweet onion - You could really use any type of onion. I always have sweet onions on hand.
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Sea salt
    • Freshly cracked black pepper
    • Herbs de Provence (optional) - but wonderfully French! If you don't have it, you can leave it out, or substitute another favorite dried herb.
    • Dijon mustard - creamy or grainy
    • Gruyere cheese - This is great in tomato tarts because of its nutty flavor, but if you prefer another hard cheese, that's OK too. Check out David Lebovitz's French Tomato Tart with Goat Cheese. He drizzles honey over the tomatoes!
    • Parmesan cheese - This provides the funk. Choose another hard cheese or just use one cheese. Avoid wet cheeses like farmer's cheese or cream cheese.

    Full ingredients list & measurements provided in the recipe card.

    Detailed Written Instructions:

    • Thaw frozen puff pastry until you can unfold it. Keep thawed in refrigerator until just before you need it.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Make an egg wash by beating one egg with one tablespoon water. Set aside.
    • Slice tomatoes to ½ inch thickness. For the perfect way to remove the excess water in the tomatoes, place on folded paper towels for 30 minutes. Repeat on the opposite side if needed. Too much moisture will yield a soggy tart.
    • Slice onion and saute in a medium large skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil. You are not going for caramelized onions. When the onions are lightly golden brown, remove them to a small bowl.
    • Grate the cheeses on a box grater. I used the large hole and the small hole to get more texture. (See photo in step 4 below)
    • Remove the thawed puff pastry from the fridge and unfold it. Crimp the seams together with your fingers. Use a rolling pin to to slightly flatten and seal the seams.
    • You can choose to make a slab tart on a baking sheet or a round one in a tart pan.
    • For a slab tart: Place dough on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to remove a half inch strip of puff pastry dough. Place these strips on the edges of your puff pastry to create a well to keep the filling in. (See photo below.) Before laying the strips of dough on the base, moisten the edges by lightly brushing with egg wash. This will "glue" the edges to the base. If you are making a slab tart, make your base about 9"x9" square. My tart pan is 9" in diameter.
    • For the tart in a pan, cut parchment paper to fit the tart pan. Use the parchment paper as a template to cut the dough in a circle. You want to add a half inch all the way around to make a bit of a lip when you place the dough in the pan.
    Square of puff pastry with raised edges on sheet pan.

    Slab tart on baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Tart pan with parchment paper lining.

    Round tart in tart pan with parchment paper.

    • Once your puff pastry is seated on parchment paper, whether on a sheet pan or in a tart pan, use a fork to poke holes in the bottom of the pastry dough. This is called docking and it will keep the tart from forming large air pockets.
    • Lightly brush the dough with Dijon mustard.
    • Place the dough in the oven for approximately ten minutes, or until it is lightly golden brown on top. (refer to photo below) Remove from oven and allow to cool. This is good time to check your tomatoes and perhaps flip them over on dry paper towels.
    • When the crust is cool add most of the Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses, reserving the remainder.
    • Arrange the onions evenly over the cheese. Tear pieces of basil and place on top.
    • Arrange the tomato slices on top in a single layer, not overlapping. You may have extra.
    • Evenly sprinkle the tart with the salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
    • Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese on top.
    • Bake the tart in a 400 degree oven. Allow tart to bake for 30 minutes. If the edges start to get too brown, cover them with strips of aluminum foil. Check frequently for big air bubbles. See Expert Tips for rescuing your tart from a big bubble mishap.
    • Remove the tart from the oven after 30 minutes. Use a scrunched up paper towel to absorb any standing liquid on the top of the tart. Excess water from the tomatoes will make the otherwise flaky pastry soggy.
    • Put the tart back in the oven for an additional 12-15 minutes of bake time. 
    • Remove tart from the oven and allow to cool until just warm. This is the best time to eat this tart. You can eat it hot, warm, room temperature or cold as well, but warm is best. Use a pizza cutter to cut into desired slabs. I like a big slab but smaller pieces make great appetizers.
    • To re-heat, wrap loosely in aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for a few minutes.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Sliced tomatoes on paper towels to drain juice from tomatoes.

    Slice tomatoes ½" thick and place on paper towels to draw out moisture.

    Saute pan with olive oil and sliced onion.

    Slice onions to ¼" thick and add to saute pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

    Saute pan with lightly browned onions.

    Saute onions until softened and lightly brown on edges.

    Cutting board with grated Gruyere cheese and Parmesan cheese.

    Grate Parmesan cheese and Gruyere cheese. Cover and set aside.

    Round tart pan lined with parchment paper.

    Cut parchment paper to fit tart pan or the size of a slab tart on baking sheet.

    Tart pan with puff pastry placed on the parchment paper.

    Unfold pastry. Crimp folds and roll flat. Place crust in tin or on baking sheet.

    Puff pastry being brushed with Dijon mustard.

    Dock the pastry with a fork and brush with a thin layer of Dijon mustard.

    Lightly golden brown partially baked puff pastry.

    Partially bake in 400 degree oven until lightly brown. Remove and cool.

    Puff pastry with grated cheese.

    Add most of the Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses, reserving the remainder.

    Puff pastry with grated cheese, cooked onions, and torn basil.

    Add onions on top of cheese followed by torn pieces of basil.

    Tart with tomato slices on top.

    Add sliced tomatoes on top of cheese, onions and basil.

    Tomato slices with salt, pepper, and dried herbs de Provence sprinkled on top.

    Sprinkle salt, pepper and dried herbs on top.

    Tart with extra cheese and basil on top.

    Add remaining cheese and small pieces of chopped basil.

    Slice being removed from fully baked tart.

    Bake in 400 degree oven approximately 45 minutes.

    Looking for More Tomato Tarts?

    Equipment

    • Sheet of parchment paper
    • Sheet pan
    • Medium or large skillet
    • Rolling pin
    • Paper towels
    • Pastry brush
    • Small bowl
    Baked round tart with tomatoes, basil, and fresh thyme garnish.

    Tomato Tart with Basil & Gruyère Cheese

    Square slice of tart with green tomatoes and cheese.

    Green Tomato and Gruyère Tart

    Expert Tips

    • The most important part of making my French Tomato Tart Recipe with Puff Pastry is to remove any excess water from the tomatoes and to poke enough air holes (docking) in the dough to prevent large bubbles from forming. Check the tart frequently while baking. If a large bubble forms, open the oven and use the tip of a knife or a skewer to let the trapped air out. Stick the tip into the lift up slightly to deflate the bubble. Your tomato slices may slide around when a bubble happens. Just pull them back into place.
    Slice of tomato tart.

    French Tomato Tart Recipe with Puff Pastry

    Fresh is the focus in this tart. Fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh onion, freshly cracked black pepper, and two freshly grated cheeses!
    4.89 from 76 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Thawing puff pastry 18 minutes mins
    Course
    Brunch
    ,
    Side Dish
    Servings 6
    Budget
    Frugal

    Equipment

    • Sheet pan
    • Parchment paper
    • Medium to large skillet
    • Small bowl
    • Pastry brush
    • Paper towels
    • Rolling Pin

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 frozen sheet of puff pastry
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 2-3 fresh tomatoes
    • 10-12 fresh basil leaves
    • ½ small sweet onion
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon herbs de Provence optional
    • ¾ cup grated Gruyere cheese
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Thaw frozen puff pastry until you can unfold it. Keep thawed in refrigerator until just before you need it. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Make an egg wash by beating one egg with one tablespoon water. Set aside.
    • Slice tomatoes to ½ inch thickness. For the perfect way to remove the excess water in the tomatoes, place on folded paper towels for 30 minutes. Repeat on the opposite side if needed.
    • Slice onion and sauté in a medium skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil. You are not going for caramelized onions. When the onions are lightly golden brown remove them to a small bowl.
    • Grate the cheeses on a box grater.
    • Remove the thawed puff pastry from the fridge and unfold it. Crimp the seams together with your fingers. Use a rolling pin to to slightly flatten and seal the seams.
    • You can choose to make a slab tart on a baking sheet or a round one in a tart pan.

    For a slab tart on a sheet pan:

    • For a slab tart: Place dough on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to remove a half inch strip of puff pastry dough. Place these strips on the edges of your puff pastry to create a well to keep the filling in. (See photo below.) Before laying the strips of dough on the base, moisten the edges by lightly brushing with egg wash. If you are making a slab tart, make your base about 9"x9" square. My tart pan is 9" in diameter.

    For a tart in a tart pan:

    • If you are making your tart in a pan, cut parchment paper to fit the tart pan. Use the parchment paper as a template to cut the dough in a circle. You want to add a half inch all the way around to make a bit of a lip when you place the dough in the pan.
    • Once your puff pastry is seated on parchment paper, whether on a sheet pan or in a tart pan, use a fork to poke holes in the bottom of the pastry dough. This is called docking and it will keep the tart from forming large air pockets. IMPORTANT!
    • Lightly brush the dough with Dijon mustard.
    • Place the dough in the oven for approximately ten minutes, or until it is lightly golden brown on top. (refer to photo below) Remove from oven and allow to cool. This is good time to check your tomatoes and perhaps flip them over on dry paper towels.
    • When the crust is cool add most of the Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses, reserving the remainder.
    • Arrange the onions evenly over the cheese. Tear pieces of basil and place on top. Arrange the tomato slices on top in a single layer, not overlapping.
    • Evenly sprinkle the tart with the salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere and Parmesan cheese on top.
    • Bake the tart in a 400 degree oven. Allow tart to bake for 30 minutes. If the edges start to get too brown, cover them with strips of aluminum foil.
    • Remove the tart from the oven after 30 minutes. Use a scrunched up paper towel to absorb any standing liquid on the top of the tart. Excess water from the tomatoes will make the otherwise flaky pastry soggy.
    • Put the tart back in the oven for an additional 12-15 minutes of bake time. 
    • Remove tart from the oven and allow to cool until just warm. This is the best time to eat this tart. You can eat it hot, warm, room temperature or cold as well, but warm is best.
    • Use a pizza cutter to cut into desired slabs. I like a big slab but smaller pieces make great appetizers.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 10gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 419mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 578IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 2mg

    Approximate nutrition information is provided as a convenience and courtesy only. You are encouraged to do your own calculations if precise data is required.

    We take every effort to ensure that the estimated meal cost per serving is accurate. We use a meal cost analysis application that estimates the cost of a recipe based on groceries purchased at a Walmart store in my geographical area, northern California.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Heather says

      December 29, 2022 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      Has anyone tried to make this as small individual (either square or round) tarts?

      Reply
    2. jessie says

      August 02, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      5 stars
      This was one of those summer meals that will be on repeat until the end of tomato season! Wonderful flavors and I paired it with a lovely rose; just amazing!

      Reply
    3. James Strange says

      July 31, 2022 at 5:55 pm

      5 stars
      I can not wait to try this.

      Reply
    4. Liz says

      July 31, 2022 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      We loved this yummy tomato tart! I made it with garden tomatoes and the cheeses and herbs were fabulous additions! Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply

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