Caramelized Apple, Onion, and Cheddar Tart

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This Caramelized Apple Onion Tart is a bakery-style appetizer or main course that’s easy to make with 10 ingredients. It’s a fall favorite recipe among our family and friends, with no homemade pie crust.

This Caramelized Apple, Onion, and Cheddar tart is a little savory, a little sweet, and has just the right amount of fall coziness. The idea came about as a twist on the classic French onion tart, where instead of keeping things entirely savory, crisp cinnamon-sugar apples are layered alongside caramelized shallots for a perfect balance of flavors. Wrapped in flaky phyllo dough instead of traditional pie crust, it feels rustic and elegant at the same time. It’s a recipe that was born out of wanting something just as comforting as apple pie, but with a more nuanced, savory edge.

Perfect for fall gatherings, this tart makes a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, light lunch, or even as part of a brunch spread. Since phyllo dough does all the work, there’s no need to fuss with homemade pie crust—making it a great option for easy entertaining. It’s an app that feels impressive on the table, but is simple enough to pull together on a busy weeknight or for a last-minute get-together. With its golden crisp layers, caramelized filling, and seasonal flavors, it’s the kind of recipe that will quickly become a cold-weather favorite.

If you like this cozy meal, you’ll love my Caramelized Apple Toast with Spiced Cream Cheese and my Cinnamon Apple Crepes.

“Made this as an appetizer for thanksgiving, it came together easily and was so tasty, it is the perfect combo of salty and sweet!”– Hallie

Abs Tip: To keep a phyllo tart from having a soggy bottom, brush each layer with butter or oil for crispness and bake it on the lower rack of the oven so the bottom gets plenty of direct heat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Only 10 ingredients: With only 10 simple ingredients, you get this super flavorful and cozy tart that is perfect for a fall comfort appetizer.
Skip the homemade pie crust: This recipe uses phyllo dough instead of pie crust which saves a ton of time, and it gives buttery delicious layers.
Professional bakery quality. In under an hour, this tart not only makes your house smell like a bakery, but it gives you professional bakery quality right at home.

Ingredients

Shallots: Caramelized shallots add a rich, savory sweetness that perfectly balances the tart apples and sharp cheddar in the tart.
Cheddar: Cheddar brings a sharp, salty richness that enhances the sweetness of the apples and makes the tart feel hearty and satisfying. I like to use Trader Joes Unexpected Cheddar for this
Apples: Crisp slices of fresh apples bring a natural sweetness to this. This tart is perfect for fall when apples are in peak season.
Whipped cream cheese: We like to use whipped cream cheese for this tart as it brings a creaminess to the filling.
Egg yolk: Adding an egg yolk to the filling helps everything come together.
Fresh thyme: Fresh thyme adds an earthy, aromatic note that ties together the sweet apples and sharp cheddar in the tart.
Phyllo dough: Using phyllo dough adds a light, crisp, and buttery base that makes the apple cheddar tart feel elegant without the effort of homemade crust.
Cinnamon sugar: Coating the apples in cinnamon sugar adds warmth and sweetness, enhancing their flavor and giving the tart a cozy fall touch.

How to make this Caramelized Apple Onion Tart

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and remove phyllo dough from freezer to thaw.

2. Thinly slice shallots and add to a skillet with 1 tbsp butter, a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook stirring often on medium to low heat for about 15 min or until the shallots are cooked down and a deep brown.

3. Thinly slice apples and coat in the cinnamon and sugar.

4. Add all filling ingredients to a bowl and mix to combine.

5. Melt butter and lay out one sheet of phyllo dough. Brush with melted butter and then top with another sheet of phyllo dough. Repeat with all six sheets, brushing butter between each layer.

6. Add filling to the middle and then layer the apples in a circular pattern.

7. Crinkle the phyllo dough in on each side to create the crust. If the dough is flaking, add a little melted butter to those edges. Brush the top with more butter and sprinkle with more thyme leaves.

8. Bake for about 30 min or until nicely golden brown. Drizzle the top with honey and serve. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

The best apples to use: This tart is best made in the fall when apples are in season, but you can really make it anytime of year. I like to use honeycrisp or gala apples. They have the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, extra-juicy bite, and crisp, refreshing texture that holds up beautifully in this tart.
Puff pastry vs phyllo dough: You could easily use puff pastry instead of phyllo dough and this tart would be just as good. Puff pastry is rich, buttery, and puffs into tender, flaky layers when baked, giving a tart a soft, airy texture, while phyllo dough is much thinner, bakes up extra crisp, and creates a lighter, shatteringly crunchy crust.
Grating the cheese yourself: Grating cheese yourself gives you fresher flavor and better melting since it doesn’t have the anti-caking agents that pre-grated cheese contains. Pre-grated cheese is more convenient, but it can clump less smoothly when melted and sometimes has a slightly drier texture.
They key to using phyllo dough easily: The key to phyllo dough is making sure the edges don’t get too dry. Melted butter is your friend! Generously brush each sheet of phyllo dough with butter to build an absolutely delicious crust.
Make sure you caramelize shallots (or onions) over low heat for a long time: The trick to caramelizing shallots is cooking them low and slow with a little fat, stirring occasionally, so their natural sugars gradually break down and turn golden brown without burning.

Storage & Make Ahead

The shallots can be cooked up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Rewarm in a 325°F oven until warmed through.

FAQs

Can you make this in advance?

We do not suggest making this full in advance, but you can cook the shallots up to 2 days ahead.

How do I keep my tart from being soggy?

To keep a phyllo tart from having a soggy bottom, brush each layer with butter or oil for crispness and bake it on the lower rack of the oven so the bottom gets plenty of direct heat.

What savory flavors pair well with apple in a tart?

Savory flavors that pair well with apple in a tart include sharp cheeses like cheddar or blue, caramelized onions or shallots, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, earthy nuts such as walnuts or pecans, and cured meats like prosciutto or bacon.

Appetizers

Caramelized Apple, Onion, and Cheddar Tart