Cranberry pear and Gorgonzola cheese pastry cup appetizers

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These easy cranberry pear and Gorgonzola cheese pastry cup appetizers are my go-to last-minute entrées. They’re quick to make, very easy, and oh-so-tasty. Like, melt-in-your-mouth delicious Gorgonzola cheese that’s just gone golden brown on top…and all that cheese deliciousness blankets sweet and savory dried cranberries, sweet pears, tender pumpkin, and sweet melty leeks. These mini tarts are always a favorite at any party or get-together. Top off the delicious cranberry and Gorgonzola pastry cups with a garnish of fresh herbs and serve.

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When it comes to party menu planning I always have a huge to-do list and a ton of recipes I want to make and serve. With so many different recipes to prepare these easy appetizers have become a lifesaver whenever I overstretch my time. They always deliver sweet and savory flavors, melty cheese, crunchy pastry cups, and all the festive party flavors I want and my guests always expect.

These festive easy vegetarian holiday puff pastry appetizers are also a lifesaver for those last-minute holiday party invites where you want to bring a delicious tray of treats. They take less than 30 minutes to make and are great served at room temperature. So no worrying about refrigerating or heating before serving. All those holiday and winter parties just became a whole lot easier.

Why you’ll adore these easy cranberries, pear, and Gorgonzola puff pastry bites

A quick and easy-to-make vegetarian appetizer
Delicious flavors
Buttery, flaky, and crunchy golden pastry cups
You can make the filling ahead of time

Easy short cut make ahead Cranberry pear and Gorgonzola cheese pastry cup appetizers

If you don’t have the time to make your own puff pastry dough from scratch don’t worry. This easy appetizer recipe works great with store-bought puff pastry. Frozen puff pastry dough is one of life’s best shortcuts. It can be used for anything from appetizers to nut roasts and even desserts. That’s why I always have a frozen roll of vegan puff pastry waiting in my freezer. It’s the best backup for any occasion.

Easy vegetarian cranberry, pear, and blue cheese puff pastry appetizers ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (or a pack of 24 puff pastry cups)
Vegetarian Gorgonzola cheese, or vegetarian blue cheese
Pears, thinly sliced
Leek, thinly sliced
Pumpkin, finely sliced or pumpkin purée
Dried cranberries
Salt
Ground pepper
Dried thyme
Fresh thyme for garnish

How to make vegetarian cranberry puff pastry appetizers

Preheat oven to 400F (200 degrees Celsius).
Heat olive oil in a sauté pan and add the sliced leeks and pears. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook for 3-5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Once the leeks have softened, add 2/3 of the crumbled Gorgonzola cheese and mix.
Unfold the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 24 squares. (If you’re using puff pastry cups, place them in a mini muffin tray or a lined baking sheet).
Now, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin purée to each pastry cup. Place one square puff pastry sheet in each mini muffin tin.
Place 2-3 teaspoons of filling in each puff pastry cup and crumble the last cheese on top.
Bake the mini pastry Gorgonzola bites in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and flaky and the filling is just a little crispy on top.
Remove from the oven and leave the puff pastry appetizers on a wire rack to cook for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with a little sprinkle of fresh thyme on top.

Easy vegan hors d’oeuvres Gorgonzola cheese bites option

Of course, I have a vegan version for my favorite Easy appetizer recipe. For the delicious vegan pastry cups version, you should still be able to use store-bought puff pastry. Most grocery store puff pastry is naturally vegan as they are made using oils rather than butter. But check the ingredients on the packaging label just to make sure.

Easy vegan cranberry, pear, and blue cheese pastry bites ingredients

1 sheet vegan puff pastry, thawed (or a pack of 12 puff pastry cups)
Vegan blue cheese, crumbled
Nutritional yeast, optional
Pears, thinly sliced
Leek, thinly sliced
Pumpkin, finely sliced or pumpkin purée
Dried cranberries
Salt
Ground pepper
Dried thyme

How to make vegan Cranberry pear and Gorgonzola cheese pastry cup appetizers

Preheat oven to 400F (200 degrees Celsius).
Heat olive oil in a sauté pan and add the sliced leeks and pears. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook for 3-5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Once the leeks have softened, add 2/3 of the crumbled vegan Gorgonzola cheese + nutritional yeast and mix.
Unfold the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 24 squares.
Place one square puff pastry sheet in each mini muffin tin.
Now, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin purée to each pastry cup. Next, 2-3 teaspoons of filling in each puff pastry cup and crumble the last cheese on top.
Bake the mini pastry Gorgonzola bites in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and flaky and the filling is just a little crispy on top.
Remove from the oven and leave the puff pastry appetizers on a wire rack to cook for 20-30 minutes.
Serve with a little sprinkle of fresh thyme on top.

Tools you need to make puff pastry appetizers

Pizza cutter – A pizza cutter is great to cut the puff pastry sheet easily without pulling the edges. If you don’t have a pizza cutter a regular sharp knife will also work fine.
Mini muffins in – a mini muffin tin make the best bite-sized puff pastry appetizers when you’re using a puff pastry sheet to make these vegetarian pastry entrees.

Other simple puff pastry appetizer filling options

There are a lot of delicious options when it comes to tasty pastry fillings. For this easy appetizer recipe, I’ve used pumpkin purée as the base layer. But you can easily substitute the pumpkin with another base to make a platter filled with different entrees.

Fruit preserves like fig jam, apricot jam, or Caramelized onion jam all make amazing fillings with almost any toppings.

Pesto also makes a delicious base layer.

For toppings, you can substitute the Gorgonzola cheese with feta, goat’s cheese, or Camembert.

Here are my top 5 favorite vegetarian appetizer fillings:

fig jam, browned onions, Camembert cheese, cranberries, and a drizzle of maple syrup
Green pesto, feta cheese, roasted nuts, and dried cranberries
Red pesto with Gorgonzola cheese, oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, pistachios
Apricot jam, Caramelized onions, Camembert cheese, thyme, and pomegranates
Caramelized onion jam, Gorgonzola cheese, mushrooms, and thyme

5 easy vegan and vegetarian appetizers

Frequently asked questions

What kind of puff pastry to use for puff pastry appetizers?

You can use store-bought puff pastry sheets or ready-made puff pastry cups. Both work really well for these easy vegetarian puff cranberry and cheese entrees.

What vegan Gorgonzola blue cheese is best?

There is plenty of plant-based blue cheese options available. Here’s a list of PETA’s top picks (read more about them here)

– Reine Royal Vegan Cuisine Fauxgonzola Cheese
– Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Bleu Cheese Crumbles
– Conscious Cultures Barn Cat
– Nuts for Cheese Super ‘Blue’

Can puff pastry shells be made ahead of time?

Yes. You can make these delicious puff pastry appetizers several hours ahead of time, and some of them even the day before. Just store the puff pastry bites in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before serving. Let the pastry cups reach room temperature before serving and top with a garnish of fresh herbs.

Are puff pastry cheese bites freezer friendly?

Yes. These easy vegetarian puff pastry party snacks are freezer friendly. Place the pastry cups in a freezer-safe container and cover them with a lid or plastic wrap. Freeze for 1-3 months. Just allow them to defrost and reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds covered in a microwave-safe dish.