Looking for an appetizer that looks incredibly fancy but is secretly simple to make? You’ve found it! These Mini Goat Cheese Pizzas are my go-to for everything from casual get-togethers to holiday parties. Using store-bought puff pastry as a shortcut, we create a buttery, flaky base for tangy goat cheese, savory marinara, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. They are bite-sized, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to disappear from the platter in minutes. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
• 1 17-ounce / 482g package frozen puff pastry dough, 2 sheets, thawed
• 1/2 cup / 120ml marinara sauce
• 1 4-ounce / 113g package fresh goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F / 200°C.
2. Using a 1-inch / 2.5cm round cookie cutter, cut 24 disks from the thawed puff pastry sheets. Arrange the disks on an ungreased baking sheet.
3. Place a second, matching baking sheet directly on top of the pastry disks. This clever trick keeps them from rising too high, creating the perfect flat base.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the disks are crisp and a beautiful golden brown. Remove from the oven.
5. Gently press the center of each warm disk with the tip of a small knife or the back of a spoon to create a slight indentation for the toppings.
6. Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce into each indentation. Crumble a pinch of goat cheese over the sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh thyme.
7. To serve, pop the mini pizzas back into the warm oven for 1-2 minutes, just until the goat cheese softens and gets a slight shimmer. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
• Serves 8. Cost: $1.13 per serving. The following is per serving of 3 mini pizzas.
• Calories: 229
• Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1.5g
• Sodium: 381mg
Pro Tips
• For a sweet and savory twist, replace the marinara sauce with fig jam and add a drizzle of balsamic glaze after baking.
• The puff pastry disks can be baked up to a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and assemble just before serving.
• Ensure your puff pastry is thawed but still very cold when you work with it. This helps create the flakiest, most delicate layers.
• For an extra pop of flavor, add a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes with the thyme.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these mini goat cheese pizzas vegan
A: Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be vegan. Use a brand of puff pastry that is made without butter (many store-bought versions are accidentally vegan, just check the ingredients). For the cheese, substitute the goat cheese with a high-quality vegan goat cheese alternative or a crumble-style vegan feta.
Q: What other vegetarian toppings work well on these puff pastry pizzas
A: These mini pizzas are very versatile. For more vegetarian flavor, try adding finely diced sun-dried tomatoes, a sliver of black olive, a small piece of roasted red pepper, or a few caramelized onions on top of the marinara before adding the cheese. A sprinkle of fresh basil or oregano would also be delicious.
Q: How can I prepare these vegetarian appetizers ahead of time
A: To save time, you can bake the puff pastry disks up to a day in advance. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, simply assemble the pizzas with the sauce, cheese, and thyme, then warm them in the oven for 1-2 minutes as directed.
Q: Is there a good substitute for goat cheese in this recipe
A: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, you can substitute it with other vegetarian-friendly cheeses. Crumbled feta would provide a similar tangy flavor. For a milder, creamier option, try using small dollops of Boursin, cream cheese, or small pearls of fresh mozzarella.
