Savory Bacon, Swiss, and Caramelized Onion Palmiers Recipe
Delight in these savory Palmiers featuring crisp puff pastry rolled with creamy horseradish, melted Gruyère cheese, sweet caramelized onions, savory bacon, and fresh thyme. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or snack, these golden, flaky treats combine rich flavors and textures in every bite.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 48 palmiers (24 per roll) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Puff Pastry and Spread
- 2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted (17-ounce package)
- 2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish
Fillings
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 2/3 cup caramelized onions
- 8 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Lay one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, ensuring it is approximately 1/8-inch thick. If necessary, gently roll the dough to achieve an even thickness.
- Assemble the Filling: Spread 1 tablespoon of cream-style horseradish evenly over the surface of the pastry. Layer 1 cup of shredded Gruyère, 1/3 cup of caramelized onions, half of the crumbled bacon, and 1/2 teaspoon of chopped fresh thyme evenly on top. Cover the pastry with plastic wrap or parchment paper and press gently to compact the layers, or carefully roll over the surface with a rolling pin to seal the filling.
- Roll the Pastry: Begin rolling the pastry from one long side towards the center. Then roll the opposite long side inward until both rolls meet in the middle. If the pastry does not stick at the center, dab a few drops of water to help seal.
- Repeat Assembly: Repeat the above assembling and rolling process with the second sheet of puff pastry and the remaining ingredients.
- Chill the Rolls: Wrap each pastry roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, or freeze for 30 minutes if in a hurry. Rolls should be firm but not fully frozen before slicing.
- Slice the Palmiers: Remove the plastic wrap and use a sharp knife to cut each roll into 1/4-inch thick slices, yielding about 24 slices per roll.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the palmiers 1 inch apart on the baking sheets to allow space for expansion.
- Bake Palmiers: Bake the palmiers for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and flaky, rotating the pans halfway through baking to ensure even color. Baking time may vary slightly depending on how cold the pastry is before baking.
- Cool and Serve: Let the palmiers rest for 2-3 minutes on the pan. Gently loosen them from the parchment with a thin metal spatula, then transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
- Freeze for Later: To freeze palmiers, place the slices on baking sheets in a single layer and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer-safe bags and store for up to 1 month.
- Bake from Frozen: When ready to bake from frozen, preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange frozen palmiers 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden and flaky, rotating pans halfway through. Finish as in previous steps.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is cold but pliable for easier rolling and preventing tearing.
- Use freshly cooked bacon for best texture; pre-cooked packaged bacon can be substituted but may alter flavor.
- Caramelized onions can be prepared ahead and stored refrigerated for convenience.
- Cut the slices carefully with a very sharp knife to prevent squashing the layers.
- Serve the palmiers warm as their texture softens when cooled completely.
Keywords: Palmiers, Savory pastry, Puff pastry appetizers, Gruyère cheese recipe, Caramelized onions, Bacon snacks, Hors d'oeuvres, French pastry