Cream Cheese and Caramelized Onion Palmiers Recipe

These cream cheese and caramelised onion palmiers make a perfect snack to share with family and friends. A quick, easy recipe that works for any occasion.

This post was sponsored by PRIMULA. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Anna Banana possible!

overhead shot of savoury palmiers arranged on a plate

If you need a fast, crowd-pleasing appetizer, these savoury palmiers made with Primula Cheese ‘n’ Paprika or Cheese ‘n’ Jalapeno are an excellent choice. They require only a handful of simple ingredients and are delicious served hot or cold.

The combination of flaky puff pastry, creamy spreadable cheese and sweet, caramelised onions creates a delightful balance of textures and flavours. They’re effortless to prepare and great for entertaining, picnics or casual snacking.

side close up of a small ramekin filled with cream cheese

What are palmiers?

Palmiers are classic French pastries shaped like a palm leaf or a heart. Made from puff pastry, they become irresistibly flaky and crisp when baked. While often seen as a sweet treat, savoury palmiers are equally versatile and make attractive, bite-sized appetizers.

Since it has been a while since I posted a savoury recipe (my Butternut Squash and Goats Cheese Tart was the last), I wanted to share a savoury spin on this buttery favourite.

super close up of cream cheese and caramelised onion palmiers on white surface

A super easy, effortless recipe

What makes this recipe great is how simple it is. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or want a quick tasty snack, these palmiers are fast to assemble and impressive to serve.

top view of plate with cheese and onion palmiers

Using Primula spreadable cheese saves time because there’s no grating or slicing required—just squeeze and spread. The spreads are creamy and melt beautifully, adding smoky or spicy notes depending on the flavour you choose. They’re also high in protein and calcium, gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians.

  • overhead process shot of a person squeezing soft cheese on puff pastry sheet
  • top view of puff pastry sheet with soft cheese spreaded all over it

For the palmiers pictured I used caramelised red onion as the filling because its sweetness complements the creamy, savoury cheese beautifully. Caramelised onions add depth and balance to the pastry without overwhelming the other flavours.

  • overhead shot of a person sprinkling chilli flakes over puff pastry with cheese
  • overhead shot of puff pastry sheet with cream cheese and caramelised onions

If you prefer different fillings, feel free to swap the onions for sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, spinach or ham. Palmiers are a great canvas for experimentation.

  • top view of a person rolling one side of puff pastry sheet
  • top view of person rolling side of puff pastry sheet towards the middle
overhead shot of slices of puff pastry with cheese ad onion on a baking tray
close up at puff pastry palmier filled with cream cheese and caramelised onion

Can palmiers be made ahead?

Yes—these palmiers are perfect for making ahead. You can prepare the pastry roll and filling, wrap it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, slice and arrange the palmiers on a baking tray and bake until puffed and golden.

To freeze, slice the rolled pastry and place the slices on a tray to freeze until solid. Transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Bake from frozen for around 15–20 minutes at the recommended temperature.

side shot of savoury palmiers with caramelised onion

Thanks for reading. If you try this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment to let me know how it turned out.

top view of a plate filled with cream cheese and caramelised onion palmiers

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📖 Recipe

side close up of savoury palmiers on white surface

Cream cheese & caramelised onion palmiers

Savoury palmiers with spicy cream cheese and caramelised onion. Quick, easy and perfect as an appetizer for any occasion.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Chilling time20 minutes
Total Time47 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: French
Keyword: pinwheels, savoury palmiers
Servings: 15 palmiers
Author: Anna Wierzbinska

Equipment

  • baking tray
  • baking paper

Ingredients

  • 1 pack ready-rolled puff pastry (320 g)
  • 150 g Primula Cheese ‘n’ Paprika or Cheese ‘n’ Jalapeno
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried chilli flakes (optional)
  • 1 medium egg (beaten)

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the onion is soft and caramelised. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Spread the Primula cheese evenly over the pastry. Sprinkle chilli flakes if using, then scatter the caramelised onion over the top.
  • With the long edge closest to you, roll both long sides of the pastry toward the centre so they meet in the middle. Brush the roll with beaten egg, then wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan). Line a baking tray with baking paper. Using a very sharp knife, slice the chilled roll into 12–15 slices. Arrange the slices on the tray and bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating halfway, until puffed and golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Please note: my recipes are developed and tested using metric measurements. For best results use digital scales. A US customary conversion is provided here for convenience but I have not tested the recipe using those measurements.

Did you make this?Tell me how you liked it. Leave a comment or tag @anna_wierzbinska on Instagram—I love seeing your takes on my recipes.

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