Save A vibrant, zesty appetizer featuring sweet-tart cranberries, spicy jalapeños, and a medley of colorful vegetables nestled in buttery tartlet shells—perfect for parties or festive gatherings.
I first made these rainbow cranberry jalapeño tartlets for a holiday dinner with friends, and everyone was delighted with their vibrant colors and bold flavors. Over time, they've become my go-to appetizer whenever I want something unique but simple to create.
Ingredients
- Tartlet Shells: 12 mini tartlet shells (store-bought or homemade, approx. 2-inch diameter)
- Cranberry Jalapeño Filling: 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed), 1 small jalapeño seeded and finely diced, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp fresh orange juice, 1/2 tsp orange zest, 1/4 cup red bell pepper finely diced, 1/4 cup yellow bell pepper finely diced, 1/4 cup green bell pepper finely diced, 2 tbsp red onion finely minced, 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped, pinch of salt
- Garnish: 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese (optional), extra chopped cilantro or scallion greens
Instructions
- Prep Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Chop Cranberries:
- In a food processor, pulse cranberries until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
- Mix Filling:
- Add jalapeño, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, diced bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, and salt. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Fill Shells:
- Arrange tartlet shells on a baking sheet. Fill each shell generously with the cranberry jalapeño mixture.
- Bake Tartlets:
- Bake tartlets for 10 to 12 minutes until the shells are crisp and the filling is bubbling gently.
- Cool and Garnish:
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with crumbled feta and extra cilantro or scallion greens if desired.
- Serve:
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Save My family loves making these tartlets together—they're perfect for little hands to help assemble and decorate with extra cilantro or scallion greens. They always disappear fast whenever we set them out for celebrations or impromptu parties.
Required Tools
Food processor, mixing bowl, baking sheet, spoon
Nutritional Information
Calories: 90, Total Fat: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 2 g per tartlet
Notes
For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative. Adjust jalapeño for desired spice level.
Save Serve with sparkling wine or a crisp white to complement the tart flavors and spice. These tartlets are guaranteed to impress your guests with both looks and taste.
Recipe FAQs
- → How spicy are these tartlets?
The jalapeño adds gentle heat. Adjust quantity to suit your spice preference; remove seeds for milder flavor.
- → Can I make them vegan?
Absolutely! Omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative to keep them fully vegan.
- → Can I prepare them ahead of time?
Tartlets can be assembled and baked a few hours in advance. Garnish right before serving for optimal freshness.
- → Are these tartlets gluten-free?
Use gluten-free tartlet shells if needed. Check the packaging of store-bought shells for potential allergens.
- → What pairs well with these appetizer bites?
Enjoy them with sparkling wine, crisp white wines, or a refreshing citrus-based cocktail for festive occasions.
- → Can frozen cranberries be used?
Yes, thaw frozen cranberries before using for best texture and flavor in the filling.