What Is Tarte Flambée?
Tarte flambée is an ultra‑thin, flatbread baked fast at high heat until the edges ripple, char, and turn lace‑crisp. The classic toppings are:
- Fromage blanc and crème fraîche blended into a tangy, spreadable base
- Paper‑thin onion slices
- Lardons or thick‑cut bacon, lightly rendered
- Roasted vegetables
- A whisper of nutmeg, black pepper, and sometimes chives
It is served bubbling hot, and meant to be shared with cold crisp Dry Riesling, Sylvaner, Gewürztraminer, or a light beer.
Tarte Flambée is a delicious cross between a super thin crust pizza and a tart, originating in the Alsatian region of France. The German word Flammekeuche literally means “Flame Cake“, in French the term means “pie baked in flames”, due to the dish being cooked in a wood-fired oven. Tarte Flambée is typically made with creme fraiche and fromage blanc (a creamy soft French cow’s milk cheese) and then topped with lardons (pork fat) and onions, and other times made with Gruyere or Muenster cheese or mushrooms. This lovely recipe is made with pumpkin, feta cheese and red onion topped off with some fresh thyme and cracked black pepper. Perfect for warming up a chilly Fall night. Serve with a crisp Alsatian wine such as a Dry Reisling or Gewürztraminer.
A Brief History: From Farmhouse Test Pie to Tavern Star
- Hearth‑born origins: In Alsace, bakers and farmers once fired wood‑burning ovens only intermittently. Before loading loaves, families would press a thin sheet of leftover dough, smear it with fresh dairy, scatter onions and pork trimmings, and slide it into the blazing oven. This “test pie” checked the oven’s heat and gave everyone a snack while bread baked.
- Cross‑border identity: Alsace’s borderland history shaped the dish. Its Germanic name, Flammekueche, reflects the region’s dialect and culinary ties. The French name, Tarte flambée, references the flames licking the crust as it bakes.
- From home to winstub: By the 20th century, tarte flambée migrated from farm kitchens to winstubs—cozy Alsatian wine taverns—where it became a convivial staple, often arriving at the table on wooden boards, crisp enough to crackle.
- Modern variations: Today you’ll find seasonal and creative toppings—mushrooms, Munster cheese, apples and cinnamon for a sweet version—but the “nature” (classic) remains the benchmark.
Tarte Flambée vs. Pizza
- Dough and texture: Tarte flambée uses a lean, very thin dough (often without yeast) for a cracker‑like snap. Pizza typically relies on a yeasted dough with more chew and blistered air pockets.
- Sauce: Instead of tomato, tarte flambée uses a tangy dairy base—part fresh cheese, part crème fraîche.
- Toppings: Minimalism is the rule. Light scatterings preserve the dough’s fragility and fast bake.
- Bake: It cooks quickly at high heat to achieve charred edges and a glass‑thin center.
Tarte Flambée (Flammekeuche) with Squash, Bacon, & Onions
Ingredients
1 box of puff pastry or pizza dough (store bought or homemade)
1 small to medium red onion, sliced lengthwise
½ cup of white wine (Alsatian, such as Riesling or Gewurztraminer)
1 tbsp butter
1 small pumpkin, sliced into very thin ribbons (can also use butternut squash)
1 cup of fromage blanc (a French soft white cow’s cheese, see recipe following)
1/3 cup crème fraiche (can substitute sour cream)
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
extra virgin olive oil
fresh thyme
Fromage Blanc
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
3 tbsp plain yogurt
a pinch of salt
Make the Fromage Blanc by blending the ricotta cheese, the yogurt and the salt for 30 seconds in a blender. Put into a covered bowl and chill for at least 12 hours.
When ready to make the pizza, preheat the oven to 450 F degrees.
Instructions
Peel and cut the onion into thin length-wise slices. In a bowl, marinate it in the wine for approx. 20 minutes, then drain and pat dry, set aside.
Heat a medium-sized saute pan over medium heat.
Quarter and seed the pumpkin, then slice into very thin ribbon strips (a mandoline slicer works very well for this). Saute the pumpkin with the sliced onions in butter until they are slightly golden and soft, about 3-5 mins.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the creme fraiche, fromage blanc, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, until smooth.
Roll the puff pastry or pizza dough out very thinly on a floured surface and place onto a large greased baking sheet. You can also cut the dough in half and make two smaller pizzas (either round or rectangular shaped is fine).
Spread the cream and cheese mixture onto the dough with a spatula, then sprinkle the onions on evenly along with the pumpkin and top with the crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the oil all over the top.
Bake for 20 minutes or more until crispy and bubbly on top. Garnish with fresh thyme and additional freshly ground cracked pepper to taste.
Enjoy with a green salad with shaved parmesan and vinaigrette, and a glass of the Alsatian white wine.
Makes 1 medium tart, serves 4.
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Variations Worth Trying
- Forestière: Add sautéed mushrooms and a touch of thyme.
- Muenster: Swap part of the dairy base for soft, pungent Muenster cheese.
- Vegetarian: Replace lardons with caramelized leeks or shaved zucchini.
- Sucrée: For dessert, spread crème fraîche, top with paper‑thin apples, sugar, and cinnamon.
Pairings
- Wine: Dry Alsatian Riesling, Gerwurztaminer or Pinot Blanc. The acidity cuts through the dairy and bacon.
- Beer: Crisp pilsner or Kölsch.
- Sides: Simple green salad with a mustardy vinaigrette.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make it ahead? Roll and par‑bake the crust 2–3 minutes, cool, then top and finish just before serving.
- No fromage blanc? Use Greek yogurt strained 15–20 minutes. Keep it tangy and not too wet.
- Gluten‑free option? Use a high‑quality 1:1 gluten‑free flour blend and roll gently between parchment sheets.
Other recipes you might enjoy:
Balsamic Cranberry Chicken Pizza
Spinach Artichoke Chicken and Bacon Flatbread
3 Cheese Butternut Squash and Bacon Tart
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