Asparagus Puff Pastry made with homemade pesto is a bright, veggie packed appetizer that doubles as a delightful brunch option as well! Baked to perfection with frozen puff pastry, vibrant green asparagus, ripe cherry tomatoes and more, this is a freshly flavored recipe everyone will love.
The best asparagus puff pastry
Everything about this recipe just screams “summer!” Crisp asparagus stalks, juicy cherry tomatoes, easy homemade pesto, and balsamic glaze are fresh ingredients that always invoke feelings of strolling through a garden.
Puff pastry is a flaky, light, and buttery tasting dough that usually happens to be vegan. While you can make your own at home, it’s easy to buy in the frozen section. I usually use Pepperidge Farm brand. Just thaw for a few minutes and you’re ready to go!
If you’re a puff pastry lover, you need to whip up my Just Egg Quiche or a show stopping Vegan Wellington!
What makes this puff pastry tart so scrumptious?
- It’s so freshly flavored. The pesto, asparagus, and tomatoes are all so fresh, bright, and summer-ready! Paired with the puff pastry dough, this dish is deliciously light and naturally delicious.
- The homemade pesto! Can you use a jar of store bought pesto for this recipe? For sure! However, this homemade vegan pesto yields the most incredibly flavorful results. It’s the easiest way to elevate this dish from good to great!
- It’s a wonderful appetizer or brunch dish. There’s always a good time to serve Asparagus Puff Pastry. While it’s usually served as an appetizer before dinner, it’s also tasty when plated next to your other breakfast or brunch favorites!
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
For the easy pesto:
- Basil – Fresh basil only, not dried. Make sure your basil leaves don’t have any dark spots and aren’t wilted.
- Pine Nuts – Feel free to swap these out for walnuts or cashews if preferred.
- Garlic – When making pesto, it’s vital to only use fresh garlic! Jarred pre-minced garlic won’t yield the same potent flavor or aromatic quality.
- Lemon Juice – Going along with our freshly flavored theme, the lemon juice here must be freshly squeezed for the absolute best flavor.
- Salt
- Olive Oil – Or use a little more water to make it oil free, if needed, but olive oil really makes pesto so don’t skip it unless you have to.
- Water
For the rest:
- Puff Pastry – You can find puff pastry available at most grocery stores, and it’s usually vegan.
- Pesto – While store bought pesto will work just fine, homemade yields much better flavor! I do like Trader Joe’s kale pesto.
- Asparagus – Be sure to trim the asparagus as needed. You don’t want any tough ends in your puff pastry.
- Olive Oil
- Cherry Tomatoes – Grape tomatoes or large tomatoes sliced will also get the job done!
- Feta Cheese – You can always make your own Vegan Feta Cheese for the most scrumptious results! The brand Violife or Trader Joe’s also work well.
- Balsamic Glaze – This is an optional ingredient, but I highly recommend drizzling just a little bit on top before serving!
How to make asparagus puff pastry
Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card.
To start off, you’ll need to make the pesto. In a food processor or blender, add all pesto ingredients starting with 2 tablespoons of water, and process until quite smooth. Add more water as needed. Set aside.
Time to assemble and bake! Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make sure the puff pastry is thawed, then use a rolling pin to gently roll it out to about an 11×14 inch rectangle. Transfer to the baking sheet and prick it all over with a fork.
Spread the pesto all over the puff pastry, leaving a 1 inch border around the edges. Place the asparagus on top of the pesto and spray lightly (or drizzle) with olive oil.
Place the cherry tomatoes on top of the asparagus, then sprinkle with feta cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and puffy. Slice and serve with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired. Enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
- How long will Asparagus Puff Pastry stay fresh? I’ve always believed that puff pastry is always best when eaten within the first few hours of baking. With that being said, though, this dish will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for about 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to crisp it back up.
- How do I know when my puff pastry tart is finished baking? You should be able to tell by the appearance of the puff pastry. If the dough has risen to a puffy shape and has a golden color to it, it’s likely ready to be removed from the oven.
- Should I snap the ends of my asparagus? Here’s a little life tip – don’t snap the ends off of your asparagus, but DO trim them! When you snap them, you can’t always control how much of the stalk will get snapped. This could result in you losing out on a great deal of asparagus. Be more precise by simply trimming the ends with a knife.
Looking for more plant based appetizers?
Easy pesto (or use store bought)
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Make the pesto
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In a food processor or blender, add all pesto ingredients starting with 2 tablespoons of water, and process until quite smooth. Add more water as needed.
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Set aside.
Assemble and bake
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Make sure the puff pastry is thawed, then use a rolling pin to gently roll it out to about an 11×14 inch rectangle. Transfer to the baking sheet and prick it all over with a fork.
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Spread the pesto all over the puff pastry, leaving a 1 inch border around the edges. Place the asparagus on top of the pesto and spray lightly (or drizzle) with olive oil.
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Place the cherry tomatoes on top of the asparagus, then sprinkle with feta cheese.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and puffy. Slice and serve with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired. Enjoy!
- To make this even easier, you can use store bought pesto. I like Trader Joe’s kale pesto in the refrigerated section. Fresh is definitely better tasting though.
- Follow package instructions for thawing puff pastry, you generally only want to thaw it at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Serving: 1of 8 servings, Calories: 320kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Sodium: 441mg, Potassium: 249mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1148IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 63mg, Iron: 3mg
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