Cheese Flan with Caramelized Onion Recipe
This Cheese Flan is a savory baked tart featuring a crisp shortcrust pastry base filled with caramelized onions, extra-mature cheddar cheese, and a creamy egg custard. Perfect for a light lunch or a comforting dinner, it offers a rich and flavorful combination with a golden, puffed-up top and a buttery, flaky crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Savory Tart
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Flan
- 15g salted butter, plus extra for greasing the dish
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 5 eggs, beaten
- 150ml whole milk
- 320g ready-rolled sheet of shortcrust pastry
- 150g extra-mature cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6 and place a baking tray inside to heat up. This ensures the dish will bake evenly on a hot surface.
- Caramelize the Onion: Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat until foaming. Add the finely chopped onion with a large pinch of salt, frying gently for 10-15 minutes until the onion softens and starts to caramelize, developing a rich, sweet flavor. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs and whole milk until well combined. Season the mixture generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly butter an 18 x 25cm baking dish that is at least 6cm deep, then line it with baking parchment to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Assemble the Flan: Unroll the shortcrust pastry and carefully press it into the lined baking dish, ensuring the edges reach and fit snugly into the corners. Evenly scatter the caramelized onions over the pastry base, then sprinkle the grated extra-mature cheddar on top.
- Pour in the Egg Mixture: Slowly and carefully pour the whisked egg and milk mixture over the cheese and onions, filling the dish but not overflowing.
- Bake the Flan: Place the filled baking dish onto the hot baking tray in the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the flan is golden brown, puffed up, and set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the flan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing. This resting time helps to firm up the custard for easier serving.
Notes
- Using a hot baking tray helps the pastry cook evenly and become crispier.
- Be sure to let the caramelized onion cool slightly before adding to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- You can substitute extra-mature cheddar with a cheese of your choice, such as gruyere or a sharp gouda, for different flavor profiles.
- This flan can be served warm or at room temperature, making it great for meals ahead of time or picnics.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with a lactose-free alternative and use a dairy-free butter.
Keywords: Cheese flan, caramelized onion tart, savory flan, baked cheese recipe, British tart, shortcrust pastry flan
