Looking for an impressive dish that’s deceptively simple to prepare? This Onion Tarte Tatin combines the elegance of French cuisine with the practicality of everyday cooking. With a base of buttery puff pastry and a topping of caramelized onions infused with rosemary, balsamic, and brandy, it’s perfect for entertaining or savoring as a weeknight indulgence. This recipe transforms humble onions into a rich, savory masterpiece that’s golden, flaky, and bursting with flavor.
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Onion Tarte Tatin
- Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Onion Tarte Tatin
- What to Serve with Onion Tarte Tatin
- Variations to Try
- Why This Recipe Works
- Other Impressive Yet Simple Recipes You’ll Love
- Final Thoughts
- Connect with Me!
Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something magical about flipping a Tarte Tatin out of the pan, revealing glistening caramelized onions atop a buttery, golden puff pastry. This dish is my go-to when I want to impress guests with minimal effort. The best part? It’s made with just a handful of pantry staples and comes together in under an hour. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer, side dish, or a light meal, it’s always a hit.
Ingredients for Onion Tarte Tatin
Here’s what you’ll need to create this stunning dish:
- 1 sheet butter puff pastry: The star ingredient for a flaky, golden crust. I always do store-bought, which makes this recipes that much simpler to make.
- 2–3 onions, sliced thickly: Red onions add a pop of color, but yellow or sweet onions work beautifully too.
- 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp olive oil: For caramelizing the onions and adding depth.
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary: Infuses the dish with earthy, aromatic flavor.
- 3 tbsp sugar: Balances the savory flavors with a hint of sweetness.
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar: Adds a tangy, rich complexity.
- 1 tbsp brandy: Optional but adds depth and sophistication.
- 1 tsp salt + freshly ground black pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Onion Tarte Tatin
1. Infuse the Rosemary Butter
In a cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the rosemary sprig and let it infuse for 2–3 minutes.
2. Caramelize the Onions
Slice the onions into thick rounds and place them cut-side down into the butter mixture. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until they start to caramelize. No need to flip!
3. Add Flavorful Layers
Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and cook until it melts, about 2 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar, brandy, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the onions to soak up the flavors.
4. Prepare the Puff Pastry
Roll out the puff pastry and use a fork to poke a few holes to prevent puffing during baking. Carefully place the pastry over the onions, tucking in any excess around the edges.
5. Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the tarte tatin for 15–20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and flaky.
6. Flip and Serve
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Carefully place a plate over the skillet and flip the tarte tatin out. Garnish with fresh rosemary and serve warm.
Tips for Success
Use the Right Pan: A cast iron skillet is ideal for even cooking and easy flipping.
Go Slow: Low to medium heat ensures perfectly caramelized onions without burning.
Puff Pastry Handling: Keep your puff pastry cold for maximum flakiness.
What to Serve with Onion Tarte Tatin
This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad, a side of roasted vegetables, or even a bowl of French onion soup. For wine lovers, a glass of dry white wine or a light red like Pinot Noir complements the flavors beautifully.
Variations to Try
- Red Onion Tarte Tatin: Use red onions for a sweeter, more vibrant dish.
- Mini Onion Tartes: Divide the recipe into ramekins or prepare in a muffin pan for individual portions.
- Balsamic Onion Tarte Tatin: Add extra balsamic vinegar or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a tangy twist.
Why This Recipe Works
This savory tarte tatin is a modern take on the classic French dessert, flipping sweet for savory. The combination of buttery puff pastry, caramelized onions, and fragrant herbs creates a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an elegant yet approachable addition to your table.
Other Impressive Yet Simple Recipes You’ll Love
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or treating yourself to a gourmet meal, this Onion Tarte Tatin is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
Connect with Me!
Want to connect? Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes and food tips. And, join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Onion Tarte Tatin
This savory tarte tatin is a modern take on the classic French dessert, flipping sweet for savory. The combination of buttery puff pastry, caramelized onions, and fragrant herbs creates a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it an elegant yet approachable addition to your table
Ingredients
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed
- 2-3 large onions, sliced into thick rounds
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp brandy
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In an ovenproof skillet or cast-iron pan, melt the butter and olive oil over low heat.
- Add the rosemary sprig and cook for 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors. Remove the rosemary.
- Place onion slices in a single layer in the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the onions start to caramelize.
- Sprinkle sugar evenly over the onions and cook until the sugar melts, about 2 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, and brandy. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Roll out the puff pastry and prick it with a fork to allow for venting. Lay the pastry over the onions in the skillet, tucking in any edges.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and fully baked.
- Let the tarte tatin cool for 5 minutes. Place a plate over the skillet and carefully invert it to reveal the caramelized onions on top.
- Slice and serve warm.
Notes
For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of crumbled goat cheese or fresh thyme before serving. This tarte pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or a glass of white wine.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 92Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 313mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 1g
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
