French Onion Soup Bites with Caramelized Onions and Gruyère Recipe
These French Onion Soup Bites are a delightful twist on the classic French onion soup, featuring caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese baked inside buttery crescent roll cups. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, they offer rich flavors and a crispy golden crust with the sweet and savory depth of slow-cooked onions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Onions
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
Dough and Assembly
- Cooking spray, for greasing pan
- 2 (8-oz.) cans crescent rolls
- 4 oz. Gruyère cheese, grated
- Fresh thyme, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the muffin pan: Generously grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray to ensure the bites release easily after baking.
- Caramelize the onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter together until the butter melts. Add the thinly sliced onions, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender and rich golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Add broth and vinegar: Stir in the low-sodium beef broth and sherry or red wine vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid reduces but the onions remain moist, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- Prepare crescent dough cups: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll one can of crescent rolls and cut along perforations into two pieces. Cut each piece lengthwise down the center to make four large rectangles, then cut each into three smaller pieces, totaling 12 pieces per can. Press each piece evenly into the muffin cups, stretching gently to cover sides and bottom. Repeat with second can.
- Fill the cups: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the caramelized onion mixture into each dough-lined muffin cup. Top each with an even sprinkle of grated Gruyère cheese.
- Bake the bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the cheese melts and the crescent dough turns golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Let the bites cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves before serving for added aroma and a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- For best results, use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels.
- You can substitute Gruyère with Swiss or mozzarella cheese if preferred.
- Make sure to cook onions slowly over medium heat for proper caramelization and flavor development.
- These bites can be served warm or at room temperature and are ideal for parties or appetizers.
- If desired, add a pinch of thyme or herbs into the onion mixture for extra flavor.
Keywords: French onion soup bites, caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese, crescent rolls, appetizer recipe, party snacks, baked bites
