Caramelised onion and feta rolls
These caramelised onion and feta rolls are the picnic snack you didn’t know you needed, but will immediately regret not doubling. They’re sweet, salty, tangy, flaky, and completely addictive. Whether you’re heading to the park with friends, prepping for a family lunch or just need a reliable snack, this puff pastry roll recipe is a must-try. Even the ants will be after them.
If you’re searching for easy vegetarian picnic recipes or meat-free savoury pastry ideas, look no further. These rolls tick every box. The filling features slowly caramelised onions infused with thyme, oregano, balsamic vinegar, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Crumbled feta gives them a sharp, creamy edge, while ready-rolled puff pastry keeps things light, buttery, and easy to prepare.
I love using puff pastry for these types of savoury rolls, why overcomplicate things when shop-bought pastry is so good these days? It crisps up beautifully and saves tons of time. The result? Golden, flaky rolls that are perfect warm or cold.
Top tip: If your onion mixture looks a bit too wet (some onions release more moisture than others), stir through a small handful of breadcrumbs to soak up excess liquid before assembling. This keeps the pastry nice and crisp and stops soggy bottoms in their tracks.
They’re ideal for picnics, lunchboxes, snack platters, or even as a side dish with soup or salad. You could even serve them with a whipped yoghurt dip or tomato chutney for extra flair.
FAQs – caramelised onion and feta rolls
Can they be frozen?
Yes! Once baked and cooled, you can freeze these in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven for 10–15 minutes until hot and crisp.
Other flavours/spices to add?
Try a sprinkle of chilli flakes for heat, add chopped olives for a Mediterranean twist, or a little lemon zest for extra zing.
Quicker ways to make caramelised onions?
While slow caramelising takes around 45 mins to an hour, you can speed it up by adding a pinch of sugar and a splash of balsamic early on, cooking over medium-high heat, and stirring often. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’s close! So basically, I’d advise you still take your time with them because it’s worth the wait.
How can I make it vegan?
Swap butter for olive oil when caramelising onions or a vegan friendly butter
Use a vegan feta alternative (there are some great ones on the market)
Skip the egg wash, or brush with plant milk instead
Caramelised onion and feta rolls
By Poppy Cooks
https://www.poppycooks.com/recipes/caramelised-onion-and-feta-rolls/
Ingredients
- 3 onions, sliced
- 30g butter
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
- 2 sprigs oregano, leaves picked
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 200g block of feta, crumbled
- 1 x sheet ready rolled puff pastry
- 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
- Olive oil, salt and pepper
Metric
Imperial
Instructions
- Preheat a large pan over a medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil and the butter. Tip in all of the sliced onions and cook over a medium-low heat until caramelised. This should take around 1 hour, so patience is key!
- Deglaze the pan with the balsamic vinegar and chuck in the sugar and herbs. Season with salt and pepper then cook until jammy. Leave to cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 190ºc fan/210ºc/420ºf. When the onions are cold, add in the crumbled feta and give everything a really good mix. Scoop all of the mixture onto the puff pastry sheet, brush with egg wash and roll to seal. Use the back of a fork to press the edges together, then egg wash the entire pastry sausage.
- Slice into 8 even pieces (you can do them smaller if you like, just keep an eye on them in the oven!) and pop onto a parchment lined baking tray. Bake for 20-25 minutes (less if you're doing smaller ones) until golden brown and puffed up. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm or cold!
Notes & Tips
- If your mix is looking quite wet, chuck in a small handful of breadcrumbs to soak up some liquid. All onions are different, so use your judgment!