There’s something irresistibly elegant about the combination of tart apples and aromatic fennel in a savory tart. This dish brings together crisp apple slices, delicate fennel, creamy cheese, and flaky pastry into a harmonious bake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for brunch, a light lunch, or a shareable appetizer, this tart leans into natural sweetness and savory complexity.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE
- Flavor-forward contrast: Sweet apples and licorice-fresh fennel meet tangy cheese for layered sophistication.
- Simple elegance: Minimal ingredients, effortless prep — maximum wow factor.
- Versatile serving: Ideal for brunch, light dinner, or festive gatherings.
- Make-ahead magic: Bake in advance and serve later, perfect for hosting stress-free.
Savory Apple Fennel Tart
Tom Jackson
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Appetizer
Cuisine
American
Servings
4
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Calories
444
Juicy apples and caramelized onions come together to create a beautiful and savory tart. This appetizer is a unique and delicious twist on a classic recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 granny smith apple, peeled, sliced
- 1 small fennel bulb, sliced very thin
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup melted onions
- 1 pie crust, approx. 12" diameter
- 1/8 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- fennel fronds for garnish
- 4 yellow onions, sliced thin
-
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-
1 tbsp salt
- parchment paper
Melted Onions
Directions
Preheat and prep pastry:
Preheat oven or grill to 400 °F (200 °C).
Unfold the puff pastry onto a parchment‑lined baking sheet.
Gently score a ½‑inch border around the edges and prick the center area with a fork.
Layer cheese & aromatics:
Brush the border with olive oil.
Evenly sprinkle the Gruyère (and Parmesan, if using) across the tart’s center.
Scatter 1 Tbsp of thyme over the cheese.
Arrange apples & fennel:
Arrange alternating apple and fennel slices in slightly overlapping concentric circles within the cheese border.
Dot with remaining olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and the rest of the thyme.
Bake:
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed and the cheese is bubbling.
Watch closely to avoid over-browning.
Finish & serve:
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh fennel fronds.
Slice into wedges or squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Note
Recipe FAQ
Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes — Gruyère or fontina work well, but cheddar, goat cheese, or gouda all offer good alternate flavor profiles depending on how rich or sharp you want the tart to taste.
Can I make the tart ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake it, let it cool completely, then reheat at 350°F for 8–10 minutes before serving. This makes it a genuinely convenient option for brunch hosting, since the most labor-intensive part is done well before guests arrive.
Is the fennel flavor strong in this tart?
No — when sliced thin and baked, fennel softens considerably and its anise notes become mild, complementing the apple rather than dominating the dish. If you're fennel-cautious, this is a good entry point.
Can I make this indoors?
5 out of 5 — Perfect for indoor or outdoor cooking. This is fundamentally an oven-baked tart with no grilling or smoking component, so it's fully at home in any kitchen.
Recipe Highlights
Slice the fennel very thin: Thin slicing is what allows the fennel to soften fully during baking and mellow its anise flavor — thicker slices stay firmer and more assertively licorice-flavored, which can overwhelm the apple.
Arrange apple and fennel in alternating concentric circles: Layering the slices this way isn't just visual — it ensures every bite gets both apple and fennel rather than pockets of just one or the other.
Don't skip resting before slicing: Letting the tart rest for 5 minutes after baking allows the cheese to set slightly, making for cleaner slices rather than a runny, hard-to-portion tart straight from the oven.
Watch closely during the final minutes of baking: Pastry-based tarts can go from golden to over-browned quickly in the last few minutes — check at the lower end of the bake time window and adjust based on how your oven runs.
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Nutrition
Nutrition
- Nutrition Serving Size
- 15.61 oz
- per serving
- Calories
- 444
- Carbs
- 49 grams
- Protein
- 5 grams
- Fat
- 27 grams
- Sodium
- 2094 milligrams
