This rustic and budget-friendly French Onion Tart is the perfect meal for family dinners, offering rich, savory flavors in a flaky pastry shell. Whether you choose a shortcrust or puff pastry, this tart delivers a delicious balance of sweet caramelized onions and a creamy, savory custard filling. It’s simple to prepare, yet impressive enough to serve for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
French Onion Tart brings the classic flavors of French onion soup into a savory tart form, making it a cozy and satisfying meal. The caramelized onions give the tart a deep, sweet flavor, complemented by a rich custard made with eggs and cream. Encased in a crisp pastry, it’s the ideal comfort food that’s easy to make yet feels like a gourmet dish. With minimal ingredients and preparation time, it’s a versatile recipe that can be served on its own or paired with a light salad.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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4-5 medium onions (about 2 inches wide)
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1 sheet shortcrust or puff pastry *See Notes
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1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing onions)
For the savory custard filling:
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2 eggs
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1 cup table cream
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1 tablespoon dried thyme
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
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Prepare the Onions: Peel and slice the onions and set them aside.
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Make the Savory Custard: In a bowl, combine the eggs, table cream, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
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Prepare the Pastry: Place the rolled-out pastry dough into a tart pan, trimming any excess from the edges. Use a fork to poke small holes into the pastry to prevent it from deforming during baking.
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Blind Bake the Crust: Place a cut-out round baking sheet (to fit the tart base) over the pastry and fill with beans or pie weights. Bake the crust for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). If you choose to skip this step, simply add the 15 minutes to the tart’s final baking time.
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Sauté the Onions: Heat the butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté the onions until they become soft and caramelized. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
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Assemble the Tart: Once the onions are cooked, spread them evenly over the partially baked crust. Pour the savory custard mixture over the onions.
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Bake the Tart: Place the tart back into the oven and bake for 30 minutes at 400-430°F (200-220°C) or until the tart is set and golden brown on top.
Servings and Timing
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Yield: 8 slices
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 1 hour
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Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Variations
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Pastry: You can use either a shortcrust pastry for a traditional, sturdy base, or puff pastry for a flakier, lighter crust. For an even lighter option, filo pastry works well too.
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Herbs: Feel free to add extra herbs like rosemary or parsley to the custard for added flavor.
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Cheese: Add some grated cheese (like Gruyère or Parmesan) to the custard mixture for a richer, cheesier version of the tart.
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Vegetables: Experiment by adding other vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, or leeks to the filling.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat the tart in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual slices, though the pastry will not remain as crisp.
FAQs
1. Can I use a pre-made tart crust?
Yes, using a pre-made tart crust is an easy shortcut and will save you time on preparation.
2. Can I skip the blind baking step for the crust?
You can skip blind baking if you prefer a quicker method. Just add the 15 minutes of blind baking to the final baking time, making it a total of 45 minutes for the tart to bake.
3. Can I make this tart ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the tart in advance. Just bake it, allow it to cool, and store it in the fridge. Reheat it before serving.
4. What type of onions are best for this tart?
Yellow onions or white onions work best for this tart, as they have a balance of sweetness and flavor that caramelizes well.
5. Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this tart is already vegetarian! It’s a perfect meat-free meal option.
6. Can I freeze the French Onion Tart?
You can freeze the tart either before or after baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra time to the baking process.
7. Can I add cheese to this tart?
Absolutely! Adding cheese such as Gruyère, Swiss, or Parmesan to the custard will create a richer flavor and a creamy texture.
8. What should I serve with this French Onion Tart?
This tart is delicious on its own or served with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or a light soup.
9. Can I use heavy cream instead of table cream?
Yes, heavy cream is a great substitute for table cream. It will make the custard filling a little richer.
10. Is this tart gluten-free?
To make the tart gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free pastry for the crust and ensure your cream and seasonings are gluten-free.
Conclusion
French Onion Tart is an easy, savory dish that’s perfect for a comforting family meal. The combination of soft, caramelized onions and creamy custard filling in a buttery pastry creates a dish that’s both simple and satisfying. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this rustic tart will impress everyone at the table. Give it a try and enjoy the delightful flavors of France in the comfort of your own home!
Print
French Onion Tart Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
Description
Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of this French Onion Tart—a rustic and budget-friendly dish that’s perfect for family dinners or any special occasion. With sweet caramelized onions and a creamy, savory custard filling encased in a flaky pastry shell, this tart is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you opt for a shortcrust or puff pastry, this French Onion Tart is easy to make and will impress your guests with its delicate flavors and gourmet appeal. Perfect as a main dish or side, it’s an ideal way to enjoy the comforting essence of French onion soup in a tart form.
Ingredients
For the Tart Filling:
4–5 medium onions (about 2 inches wide)
1 sheet shortcrust or puff pastry (See Notes below for pastry options)
1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing onions)
For the Savory Custard:
2 eggs
1 cup table cream (or heavy cream)
1 tablespoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel and slice the onions, setting them aside.
- Make the Savory Custard: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, table cream, thyme, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the Pastry: Roll out the pastry and fit it into a tart pan. Trim any excess and poke small holes into the base with a fork to prevent deforming during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Blind Bake the Crust: Cover the pastry with parchment paper and fill it with beans or pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes. If you skip blind baking, just add the 15 minutes to the final baking time.
- Sauté the Onions: Heat butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté the onions for 10-15 minutes, until caramelized and soft.
- Assemble the Tart: Spread the caramelized onions evenly over the partially baked crust. Pour the savory custard mixture over the onions.
- Bake the Tart: Return the tart to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
Notes
- Pastry Options: Use a shortcrust pastry for a firm, classic base or puff pastry for a lighter, flakier texture. For an even lighter alternative, use filo pastry.
- Herbs: Add extra herbs like rosemary or parsley for more aromatic depth.
- Cheese: Mix in grated cheese such as Gruyère or Parmesan for a richer, creamier tart.
- Vegetables: Add other vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or leeks to elevate the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
