Delicious Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts: Your 25-Minute Party Appetizer

Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts are a truly delicious, elegant, and perfectly sized appetizer that beautifully masters the classic sweet-savory pairing. Imagine a crisp, buttery pie crust, filled with sweet fig jam and creamy, pungent blue cheese. These stunning, bite-sized tarts are incredibly quick to prepare, proving that an impressive, gourmet appetizer can be ready in just 25 minutes.

This recipe celebrates the art of contrasting flavors: the rich, salty tang of the cheese against the intense sweetness of the fig. The ease of using pre-made dough makes this a fantastic, stress-free option for any gathering. You can visit our New York for more delicious recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

Feature	Benefit
Bite-Sized Elegance	Perfect, individual servings for sophisticated entertaining.
Sweet & Savory Contrast	The classic pairing of pungent blue cheese and sticky fig jam.
Lightning Fast	Ready in just 25 minutes from prep to serving.
Flaky Crust	Pie crust bakes into a firm, crisp shell in the mini muffin tin.
Crowd-Pleaser	Unique flavor profile that is always a guaranteed hit at parties.

An Overview of Flavors and Textures

The Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts are a delightful medley of intense, contrasting flavors and satisfying textures.

The pie crust forms the base, baking up wonderfully crisp and firm in the muffin tin. It provides a sturdy, buttery foundation for the filling.

The core flavor comes from the fig jam, which offers a rich, sticky sweetness and a satisfyingly chewy texture. This sweetness is perfectly cut by the blue cheese, which melts into a creamy, pungent, and savory layer.

A sprinkle of fresh chives adds a final sharp, fresh, and aromatic note. This Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts dish is a truly addictive blend of crisp, soft, sweet, and tangy notes.

The Star of the Show: The Fig and Blue Cheese Pairing

While the flaky crust is essential, the true defining characteristic and “star” of these Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts is the bold, iconic Fig and Blue Cheese Pairing. This combination is revered in gourmet cuisine because the intense, salty, and sharp tang of the blue cheese provides the perfect counterpoint to the concentrated, almost molasses-like sweetness of the fig jam. The warm temperature of the freshly baked tarts softens the blue cheese, allowing its rich flavor to fully blend with the sweet fig, transforming these small bites into a sophisticated and unforgettable appetizer.

How to Make Your Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts

This recipe is designed for maximum efficiency using simple cutters and a mini muffin tin. The key is in the quick baking time and serving them warm.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 24 mini tarts

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Component	Amount	Ingredient	Notes
For the Tarts:	1	Refrigerated pie crust	1/2 of a 14-ounce package
	1/4 cup	Fig jam
	1/4 cup	Crumbled blue cheese
	1 teaspoon	Minced fresh chives	Optional

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Tin: Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Lightly coat a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Prepare Crust: Unroll the refrigerated pie crust on a clean surface and gently roll it into a 12-inch circle. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut 24 small circles (reroll any scraps of dough as needed).
3. Blind Bake: Press the dough circles into the muffin cups, gently pushing them into the bottoms and sides. Prick the dough with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake until lightly browned, 5–6 minutes.
4. Fill & Finish Bake: Remove the tin from the oven. Immediately add 1/2 teaspoon of fig jam to the base of each pre-baked crust. Top the jam with 1/2 teaspoon of crumbled blue cheese. Return the tin to the oven and bake for 3–5 minutes more, or until the cheese is hot and slightly melted.
5. Serve: Let the tarts cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with minced chives, if using, and serve warm.

Expert Tips for Your Mini Tarts

Category	Tip
Dough Cutting	Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter ensures uniform, perfect circles for the mini muffin tin.
Serving Temperature	Serve these tarts warm. The heat enhances the flavor of the fig jam and softens the sharp blue cheese.
Cheese Choice	For a milder flavor, substitute blue cheese with crumbled goat cheese or a soft, creamy Brie.
Make Ahead	The tart crusts can be baked several hours in advance. Store them at room temperature and fill/bake just before serving.
Crust Option	Look for pre-rolled pie dough in the refrigerated case, or make your own if you prefer.

Conclusion: Your Deliciously Easy & Elegant Appetizer

The Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts are a true delight—a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and flaky that delivers maximum flavor in a minimal, bite-sized package. With their quick prep and sophisticated taste, they are a fantastic, elegant appetizer solution. Easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, this Fig and Blue Cheese Mini Tarts recipe is sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use fresh figs?

Yes, you can substitute fig jam with very finely chopped fresh figs, but you may need to add a touch of honey to the filling for sweetness.

Can I freeze the crusts?

Yes, the baked, cooled crusts can be frozen. Thaw completely before filling and baking the second time.

What is the best way to get clean slices of Brie?

If using Brie instead of blue cheese, freeze the Brie for 10 minutes before slicing it to get clean edges.

Can I use a regular muffin tin?

You can use a regular muffin tin, but you will need a larger biscuit cutter (about 3 inches) and will yield fewer, larger tarts.

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