Description
These Upside Down Puff Pastry Pizza Tarts are a delightful twist on classic pepperoni pizza, featuring crispy puff pastry encasing a flavorful mix of pepperoni, garlic, pizza sauce, and mozzarella. Baked until golden and topped with sweet chilli jam and fresh basil, these tarts make a perfect party snack, lunch, or appetizer with an irresistible crispy, oozy, and gooey texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 18 slices pepperoni
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed (or use confit garlic)
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce (or crushed tinned tomatoes)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Good grind of black pepper
- 1 cup grated mozzarella
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
Pastry & Topping
- 1 sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon sweet chilli jam
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Tray: Heat your oven to 200C/400F fan and line an oven tray with baking paper. Divide the pepperoni into six piles (3 slices each) and arrange them evenly on the tray.
- Add Garlic and Sauce: Scatter one crushed garlic clove on top of each pepperoni pile. If using crushed tinned tomatoes, mix them with 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Spoon pizza sauce or the seasoned crushed tomatoes on top of the pepperoni and garlic.
- Add Cheese: Evenly scatter grated mozzarella over each sauce-topped pepperoni pile.
- Prepare Pastry: Unwrap the puff pastry sheet and cut it into six equal rectangles, ensuring each piece sufficiently covers and encloses the corresponding filling.
- Seal Pastry Over Filling: Place each pastry rectangle over the stacks of filling and gently press down the edges to seal completely around the filling.
- Apply Egg Wash and Parmesan: Brush the tops of the puff pastry pieces with the whisked egg, then sprinkle grated parmesan evenly over the pastry surface.
- Bake: Transfer the tray to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the pastry is deeply golden and crispy.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully remove the tray and use a spatula to flip each tart upside down. Drizzle each tart with sweet chilli jam and scatter chopped fresh basil on top.
- Serve: Enjoy the tarts immediately while warm, crispy, and gooey.
Notes
- Using the upside down method prevents soggy pastry, keeping the crust perfectly crispy.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses like provolone or fontina for variety.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the pepperoni and replace with vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Sweet chilli jam adds a delightful contrasting sweetness; alternatively, you can drizzle honey or balsamic glaze.
- Ensure the puff pastry is cold before baking for best puff and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
