Savory French Onion Soup Bites for Cozy Gatherings Recipe
These Savory French Onion Soup Bites are perfect for cozy gatherings, combining rich caramelized onions, aromatic thyme, and melted Gruyère cheese baked into crispy crescent roll cups. An easy yet elegant appetizer that brings the comfort of French onion soup into a delightful bite-sized treat.
- Author: Tim
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Onion Filling
- 2 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (can substitute with vegan option)
- 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a milder flavor)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (can substitute with Italian seasoning or omit)
Dough and Cheese
- 1 package crescent roll dough (all-purpose flour variant)
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese (can substitute with any melting cheese or vegan cheese)
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes until they turn golden brown and caramelized, developing deep, sweet flavors.
- Simmer with Broth and Vinegar: Stir in the beef broth and white vinegar into the caramelized onions. Let the mixture simmer for approximately 5 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prepare the Dough Cups: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the crescent roll dough and cut it into rectangles sized to fit your mini muffin tin. Press each rectangle firmly into the greased mini muffin tin cups to create the base for the bites.
- Fill and Top: Spoon the caramelized onion mixture evenly into each dough cup. Generously sprinkle each filled cup with Gruyère cheese, ensuring a nice cheesy topping that will melt and brown beautifully.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the mini muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until the dough is golden-brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the bites from the oven and let them cool in the tin for about 10 minutes for easier removal. Gently lift the bites out, garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves if desired, and serve warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.
- Butter can be replaced with vegan butter or margarine for a dairy-free option.
- Gruyère cheese can be substituted with any melting cheese like Swiss, mozzarella, or a vegan cheese alternative.
- Ensure onions are cooked slowly to fully develop caramelization and depth of flavor.
- If mini muffin tins are unavailable, standard muffin tins can be used, adjusting dough portions accordingly.
- These bites are best served warm but can be reheated gently in the oven.
Keywords: French onion soup bites, savory appetizers, caramelized onion bites, Gruyère cheese snacks, crescent roll appetizers, cozy party food