This Asparagus Tart is the ultimate spring brunch and perfect for wowing your guests at any party! Fresh asparagus and dairy-free cheese are baked on a flaky puff pastry crust and baked until the veggies are tender-crisp, the cheese is melty and the pastry is golden. Gluten-free with dairy-free and vegan options.
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Updated March 2023
Cheesy Baked Asparagus Tart
This elegant brunch or appetizer takes roasted asparagus to a whole new level. The veggies are coated in a flavorful seasoning blend, then baked along with plenty of vegan cheese. The pre-made gluten-free puff pastry dough bakes up beautifully golden and flaky!
So comforting and delicious, it’s sure to be a hit at any wedding shower, birthday, Easter or Mother’s Day. You can’t beat how easy it is to make and can be customized with your favorite ingredients – whether you want to use different veggies altogether or simply switch up the seasonings. Once you take this beauty out of the oven, it’s game over! Not only is this healthy asparagus tart made without any eggs or gluten, it’s also completely vegan, dairy-free and refined-sugar free. Let the obsession begin.
What You’ll Need
Grab the ingredients listed below and get ready for a fail-proof breakfast or brunch. Let’s rock and roll!
- Fresh Asparagus: We use regular medium-sized stalks.
- Fine Sea Salt: Or kosher salt, added to taste.
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: To taste.
- Garlic Powder: For depth of flavor.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: You can also use a mix of dried oregano and basil.
- Gluten-Free Puff Pastry: If you’re using frozen pastry dough, be sure to thaw it out first. Jus-Rol Gluten-Free Puff Pastry is gluten-free and vegan while Genius and Scharr are both gluten-free and dairy-free but not vegan. Not all brands are vegan, so it’s always a good idea to check the label if you want a vegan variety. A few vegan puff pastry doughs are Pepperidge and Wewalka.
- Dairy-Free Mozzarella: Grated. We like Violife or Treeline. You can also sub with regular if not vegan.
- Dairy-Free Artisanal Fontina: Grated. You can also sub with vegan (or regular if not dairy-free) regular fontina or mozzarella cheese.
- Avocado Oil: Or olive oil. You can also use a beaten egg if not vegan.
- Fresh Chopped Herbs: To garnish the tart.
How to Make Asparagus Tart
It’s time to learn how easy this brunch recipe really is! We’ve laid out each step in detail.
- Prep for Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Wash & Trim Asparagus: Wash and dry the asparagus, then trim off the ends.
- Roll the Pastry: Use a rolling pin to gently roll the thawed puff pastry into a 10”x14” on a floured surface or silicone mat. Transfer to the prepared-lined baking sheet.
- Score the Pastry: Use a sharp knife to lightly score a smaller 8.5”x12.5” rectangle (leaving about a 1 1/2” border from the edge on all sides) into the dough, making sure not to cut all the way through down the dough. Use a fork to prick the inside of the scored rectangle.
- Assemble the Tart: Add the grated gruyere and fontina cheese in the scored rectangle.
- Brush with Oil & Briefly Freeze: Arrange the asparagus spears crosswise in a single layer on top of the cheese. Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush the edges of the pastry with the oil or beaten egg.
- Roast: Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake the tart for 15-20 minutes, watching carefully until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
- Garnish: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Cool and serve: Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips and Tricks
Before you start working on this standout appetizer, be sure to check out my tips for the best asparagus tart.
- Keep the Pastry Dough Cold: The most important tip we have for you relates to the temperature of the puff pastry dough. If you’re using frozen dough, thaw it out just enough to make it workable. Leaving it at room temperature for too long will make it too warm and fragile. Pop it into the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm it back up if needed.
- Wash the Asparagus: Do not skip the step of washing your asparagus. Otherwise, you’re probably going to bite down on some sand. No one wants that!
- Do I Have to Use Puff Pastry? Everyone loves all of the flaky layers that puff pastry is famous for, but you can definitely use something else if you’re struggling to find some at your local supermarket. Crescent roll dough and croissant dough will work as well.
Variation Ideas
We make these baked asparagus and cheese tarts quite a lot, so we’re definitely no stranger to switching things up. Here are some simple variations to try:
- Use Zucchini Spears Instead of Asparagus
- Add Pesto Sauce
- Use Different Seasonings
- Add Homemade Hummus
- Make Green Bean Pastry Bundles
- Garnish with Fresh Lemon Juice
- Add Bacon or Prosciutto if Not Vegan
- Use Different Vegan or Regular Cheeses: Goat cheese, cheddar, pepper jack or add some Parmesan
- Add Chopped Nuts
Serving Suggestions
Feel free to pair this easy asparagus puff pastry tart with any other dishes of your choice. It goes well with everything! Find a few of my top picks below.
- Serve with Stuffed Squash: This Stuffed Butternut Squash is fully loaded with nutrients and flavor! It bakes at the same temperature as the asparagus wraps for your convenience.
- Pair with Broccoli Soup: Have you ever enjoyed multiple appetizers together as a meal? I adore doing that with these crispy asparagus bundles and my Creamy Broccoli Soup. Perfection!
- Serve with Lemon Pasta: I’m always down to devour a bowl of this Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta. If you need a vegan version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth & dairy-free cheese.
How to Store and Reheat Extras
This vegan asparagus tart is best served fresh, but you can store leftovers for later if needed. Wait until it has cooled completely, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat it in a 375°F oven until it is warmed through.
Can I Freeze These?
If you’d like to store your easy asparagus tart with puff pastry for a longer period of time, you can place the container into the freezer instead of the fridge, adding a piece of wax or parchment paper between layers. Reheat the wraps within 2 weeks, directly from frozen.
More Asparagus Recipes
Want some more vegan appetizers or asparagus ideas? The following dishes are to die for.
This Asparagus Tart is the ultimate spring brunch and perfect for wowing your guests at Easter, Mother's Day, showers and birthdays! Fresh asparagus and dairy-free cheese are baked on a flaky puff pastry crust and baked until the veggies are tender-crisp, the cheese is melty and the pastry is golden.
- 1 sheet gluten-free puff pastry , fresh or thawed if using frozen* - May sub with regular if not gluten-free. Jus-Rol Gluten-Free Puff Pastry is gluten-free and vegan while Genius and Scharr are both gluten-free and dairy-free but not vegan. Not all brands are vegan, so it's always a good idea to check the label if you want a vegan variety. A few vegan puff pastry doughs are Pepperidge and Wewalka.
- 1 bunch asparagus, medium stalks , washed, dried and tough ends trimmed
- 2/3 cups vegan mozzarella , grated. We like Violife or Treeline. May sub with grated vegan (or regular if not dairy-free) gruyere or Swiss.
- 2/3 cups artisanal vegan fontina cheese , grated. May sub with regular fontina or mozzarella if not dairy-free.
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive olive. You can also use an egg-wash if not vegan.
- 1/3 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or a combination of both dried oregano + dried basil)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- salt & pepper to taste
- Flakey sea salt, fresh cracked black pepper and fresh chopped herbs to garnish
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Use a rolling pin to gently roll the thawed puff pastry into a 10”x14” on a floured surface or silicone mat. Transfer to the prepared-lined baking sheet.
Use a sharp knife to lightly score a smaller 8.5”x12.5” rectangle (leaving about a 1 1/2” border from the edge on all sides) into the dough, making sure not to cut all the way through down the dough. Use a fork to prick the inside of the scored rectangle.
Add the grated cheeses in the scored rectangle.
Arrange the asparagus spears crosswise in a single layer on top of the cheese. Season with salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning. Brush the edges of the pastry with oil (or the egg wash).
Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake the tart for 15-20 minutes, watching carefully until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Video
- To Store & Reheat: These are best fresh, but cooled leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven until warmed through.
- To Freeze: Place cooled leftovers into a freezer-safe container, adding wax or parchment paper between layers. Reheat within 2 weeks, directly from frozen.
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