Cheesy Tomato Crinkle Tart
This Cheesy Tomato Crinkle Tart is the ultimate spring and summer appetizer—light, crispy, and bursting with flavor. Made with delicate layers of golden phyllo dough, this stunning tart is filled with a rich garlic and herb cheese custard and topped with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes for the perfect balance of creamy and fresh.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch, planning a dinner party, or looking for an easy yet impressive appetizer, this crinkle tart delivers both elegance and simplicity. The flaky texture of the phyllo pairs beautifully with the savory cheese filling, while the tomatoes add a bright, slightly sweet finish that makes every bite irresistible.
Perfect for entertaining, this recipe is easy to assemble, visually striking, and guaranteed to wow your guests. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a versatile dish that fits everything from Easter or Mother’s Day brunch to spring or summer gatherings🧀🍅
Why this recipe works
This tart is all about contrast in texture and balance in flavor:
Crispy, buttery phyllo layers create that signature crinkle texture
Egg and milk custard bakes into the folds, making it soft and rich inside
Garlic & herb cheese adds depth, seasoning, and creaminess without extra work
Cherry tomatoes bring brightness, acidity, and a slight sweetness
Lemon zest lifts everything and keeps the tart feeling light and fresh
It’s flaky, creamy, tangy, and savory—all in one bite.
Ingredients for cheese & tomato crinkle tart
For this recipe I highly recommend you use fresh cherry tomatoes, especially during tomato season! I love the combination of tomatoes and cheese going into the warmer months! It’s the perfect appetizer to make when hosting a big group of people over. Gather the ingredients below and this will take you under 10 minutes to prepare!
garlic & herb soft cheese spread (like Alouette Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese)
phyllo dough, thawed
butter, melted
cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
eggs
milk
lemon zest
fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Ingredient Spotlight: Why These Work Together
Each ingredient plays a role in building the perfect tart—nothing is random here:
Garlic & Herb Cheese
This is your flavor base. It melts into the custard, adding seasoning, creaminess, and that herby depth without needing multiple ingredients.
Eggs + Milk
Together, they create a light custard that sets inside the phyllo layers. This is what transforms the tart from crispy-only to creamy + structured.
Phyllo Dough
Phyllo gives you that signature crinkled, flaky texture. When brushed with butter and baked, it becomes golden, crisp, and beautifully layered.
Butter
Brushing the phyllo with butter ensures every fold turns crispy and rich, giving that bakery-style finish.
Cherry Tomatoes
They roast into soft, slightly sweet bites that balance the richness of the cheese and custard.
Lemon Zest
This is the unexpected upgrade—it brightens the entire tart and keeps it from feeling heavy.
Fresh Basil
Optional, but highly recommended. It adds freshness and that final “finished” look for serving.
If you like this phyllo crinkle tar them try my other seasonal crinkle tart recipes like my lemon crinkle tart or fig and pistachio crinkle tart recipe.
How to Serve This Tart
This tart is incredibly versatile for hosting:
Serve warm for a soft, custardy center
Or room temperature for easy entertaining
Slice into squares for a polished appetizer or keep it rustic for a casual table
Pair with a crisp white wine, spritz, or even a light lemonade for spring
SHOP THE REICPE
You’ll want to crinkle the phyllo dough into an accordion shape like this. It doesn’t have to be perfect!
Cheese & Tomato Crinkle Tart
This Cheesy Tomato Crinkle Tart is the ultimate spring and summer appetizer—light, crispy, and bursting with flavor. Made with delicate layers of golden phyllo dough, this stunning tart is filled with a rich garlic and herb cheese custard and topped with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes for the perfect balance of creamy and fresh.
Ingredients
- 1 package of phyllo dough thawed
- 4-6 tbsp melted butter
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes sliced in half or quarters
- chopped basil (optional garnish)
- 6.5 oz alouette Garlic & Herb Spreadable Cheese
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- zest or one lemon
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Fold each piece of phyllo dough into an accordion shape and add to the baking sheet.
- Brush the top of the phyllo dough with butter and bake for 15 minutes for the first round of baking so the tart gets crispy in the oven
- If you want your tomatoes blistered before adding into your tart do this step: cut cherry tomatoes into quarters, add them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, drizzle on 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tsp salt and bake for 10 minutes (this makes them softer for the tart, if you prefer to just add them in without baking first that is okay too, they will just be less soft) all based on preference!
- While the tart bakes till crispy, make the custard by adding alouette Garlic & Herb Spread, milk, eggs and lemon zest to a bowl and mix well.
- Pour on top of your half baked tart, and scatter on cherry tomatoes.
- Bake for another 20 minutes (if the top is browning too quickly, then turn down the oven to 375 F or cover with foil)
- Out of the oven, garnish with basil and serve with a honey drizzle (optional for sweetness) and ENJOY!
Notes
- You can use milk or heavy cream interchangeably for this recipe- either work well! I find heavy cream makes this a bit more rich and decadent whereas the milk makes it a bit lighter of an appetizer for spring & summer. I made mine with 2% milk and it turned out great!
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