Rustic Caramelized Onion and Cranberry Flatbread with Gruyère Cheese
A rustic flatbread topped with sweet caramelized onions, tart cranberries, and melted Gruyère—perfect for an elegant appetizer or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (as appetizer)
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 store-bought or homemade flatbread crust or pizza dough
2 tbsp olive oil
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp sugar (optional, to speed up caramelization)
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup dried cranberries
1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
Balsamic glaze (for drizzling, optional)
Fresh arugula or microgreens (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, a pinch of salt, and sugar (if using). Cook, stirring often, for 20–25 minutes until deeply caramelized.
Roll out flatbread or pizza dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
Top with caramelized onions, cranberries, and shredded Gruyère. Sprinkle with thyme.
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with arugula or microgreens, if using.
Slice and serve warm.
Notes
Swap Gruyère with fontina or sharp white cheddar if desired.
Make caramelized onions ahead of time and store in the fridge for quicker prep.
This flatbread pairs beautifully with a glass of dry white wine or sparkling cider.
