This Puff Pastry Potato Tart features crisp puff pastry topped with thinly sliced new potatoes, fresh herbs, and melted cheese. It’s an easy and quick recipe that creates a delicious, flaky tart perfect for a snack, light meal, or picnic. Using waxy new potatoes ensures the slices hold their shape and cook evenly alongside the pastry. This tart is versatile and can be customized with your favorite herbs or cheeses.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 375g ready-rolled puff pastry

• ½ tbsp olive oil

• 4-5 new potatoes (about 200g), finely sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• ½ tbsp fresh rosemary leaves (or ½ tsp dried rosemary)

• ½ tsp sea salt

• 210g mozzarella, torn into pieces

• 20g Parmesan, grated

• A small amount of olive oil for drizzling

• Milk for brushing the edges

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (fan-assisted) or 210°C (non-fan).

2. Unroll the puff pastry onto a baking tray and fold over the edges ½ cm to create a crust.

3. Prick the base of the pastry with a fork, then brush with olive oil.

4. Spread crushed garlic and rosemary evenly over the pastry base.

5. Using a mandolin or grater, finely slice the new potatoes and scatter them evenly over the tart. Sprinkle sea salt on top.

6. Distribute torn mozzarella pieces evenly over the potatoes, then grate Parmesan on top. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

7. Brush the folded pastry edges with milk.

8. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the tart is golden brown and the potatoes are cooked through.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 443 kcal

• Fat: 10 g

• Saturated Fat: 5 g

• Cholesterol: 30 mg

• Sodium: 469 mg

• Potassium: 167 mg

• Carbohydrates: 7 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 1 g

• Protein: 10 g

• Vitamin A: 263 IU

• Vitamin C: 7 mg

• Calcium: 222 mg

• Iron: 1 mg

The Role of Waxy New Potatoes

Waxy new potatoes are chosen specifically for this tart because of their low starch content and firm, creamy flesh. Unlike starchy potatoes that tend to fall apart during cooking, waxy potatoes maintain their shape and texture, which is essential when layering thin slices over the delicate puff pastry base. Their natural sweetness and subtle earthiness complement the richness of the cheese and the flaky crust. When sliced thinly using a mandolin or grater, the potatoes cook evenly and quickly, melding beautifully with the melted cheese to create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Puff Pastry: The Perfect Base

Puff pastry serves as the foundation for this tart, providing a crisp and flaky texture that contrasts wonderfully with the softness of the potatoes and the creaminess of the cheese. Ready-rolled puff pastry makes this recipe accessible and straightforward, significantly reducing preparation time without compromising on quality. When baked, the pastry puffs up and forms a golden, buttery crust that adds richness and visual appeal to the tart. The edges are folded and brushed with milk to enhance the golden color and crispness, framing the potato topping beautifully.

Herbs and Garlic: Adding Aroma and Depth

The combination of fresh rosemary and crushed garlic sprinkled over the pastry base infuses the tart with fragrant herbal notes and a savory undertone. Rosemary’s pine-like aroma pairs exceptionally well with potatoes, complementing their earthy flavor without overpowering the dish. The garlic provides a subtle pungency that enhances the overall taste profile, creating layers of complexity that elevate this seemingly simple tart into a gourmet treat.

Fresh rosemary is preferred for its vibrant flavor and aroma, but dried rosemary is a convenient substitute that still imparts the essential herbaceous character. The distribution of garlic and herbs directly onto the pastry before layering the potatoes ensures that their flavors penetrate every bite.

Cheese Selection: Mozzarella and Parmesan

Cheese plays a crucial role in adding creaminess, saltiness, and richness to the tart. Mozzarella, torn into pieces and scattered evenly over the potato slices, melts beautifully to create a luscious, gooey layer that contrasts with the crispness of the pastry. Its mild flavor complements the other ingredients, allowing the potatoes and herbs to shine.

Parmesan, grated over the mozzarella, adds a nutty and sharp element that enhances the overall taste and adds a subtle depth. The combination of these two cheeses creates a balance between creamy meltiness and intense umami flavor, making each mouthful satisfying and flavorful.

Preparation and Baking

The preparation is straightforward, making this recipe accessible for cooks of all skill levels. Folding the pastry edges helps contain the potato and cheese topping, ensuring that the tart maintains its shape during baking. Pricking the base of the pastry prevents excessive puffing and helps create a sturdy foundation for the toppings.

The tart is baked at a moderate temperature to ensure the pastry cooks through and becomes golden brown while allowing the thin potato slices to cook evenly and become tender. The drizzle of olive oil over the top adds an extra layer of richness and helps to create a slightly crisp, caramelized finish on the potato slices.

Serving Suggestions and Versatility

This tart is incredibly versatile and can be served warm or at room temperature, making it ideal for picnics, brunches, or casual gatherings. It pairs well with simple side salads, steamed vegetables, or a bowl of hearty soup, turning it into a more substantial meal.

Customizations are easy to incorporate: swapping rosemary for thyme or adding caramelized onions can bring new flavor dimensions. Cheeses such as Gruyère, fontina, or sharp cheddar can be used in place of mozzarella and Parmesan for different tastes and textures. Adding a sprinkle of chili flakes or freshly cracked black pepper can also add a subtle kick for those who enjoy a little heat.

Nutritional Insights

The Puff Pastry Potato Tart offers a balanced profile of macronutrients, delivering energy from carbohydrates, fats, and protein. While the puff pastry provides the bulk of the fat content, mostly from butter, the potatoes contribute complex carbohydrates and fiber. Cheese supplies a good source of protein and calcium, supporting bone health and muscle maintenance.

The tart is relatively rich, with moderate calories per serving, making it a satisfying option for those seeking comfort food with some nutritional benefits. Potassium from the potatoes supports muscle function and cardiovascular health, while vitamins A and C add antioxidant benefits.

Due to its richness, this tart is best enjoyed as part of a balanced meal with fresh vegetables or a light salad to provide additional fiber and micronutrients.

Conclusion

The Puff Pastry Potato Tart is a beautifully simple yet flavorful dish that combines the crispness of flaky puff pastry with the hearty, creamy comfort of new potatoes and cheese. Its straightforward preparation, combined with the aromatic herbs and rich cheeses, creates a dish that feels both rustic and refined.

Perfect for snacking, light meals, or outdoor picnics, this tart is a crowd-pleaser that can be easily customized to suit personal preferences. Whether served as an elegant appetizer or a casual lunch, it offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that celebrate the best of seasonal produce and quality ingredients.