You can find tartines, or open-faced sandwiches with a spreadable topping, throughout Paris, including at the bakery that Apollonia Poilâne’s opened in 1996. Learn how to make the acclaimed baker’s sourdough wheat tartines recipe, along with some cooking tips.

Apollonia Poilâne’s Sourdough Wheat Tartines Recipe

A tartine is a French open-faced sandwich consisting of a slice of toasted bread with a spreadable topping. Tartine toppings run the gamut, from rich and hearty ingredients, like cheese, beans, and meats, to light options like [hummus](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-hummus) and fresh greens. Savory tartines like [avocado toast](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-avocado-toast) are staples on brunch menus, and sweet, spreadable combinations—like blueberry and [ricotta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ricotta-cheese-tips-and-3-ingredient-recipe) or figs and Brie—make great breakfast options. 

When preparing a tartine, choose a sturdy bread option, like [sourdough](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips) or [baguette](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home), that can stand up against the weight of the spreads. Toasting or grilling the bread will ensure you can slather on the topping of your choice.
From toasting methods to cheese selection, here are some tips to consider when compiling ingredients for your own batch of tartines:

1. __Use a toaster__: Apollonia toasts her tartine in the broiler, which allows the cheese to melt and the ham to crisp up without making a mess. However, if you want to include ingredients like butter and ham that don’t require cooking, cut two thin slices of bread off the loaf and put both halves in the same toaster slot. That way, you’ll end up with two pieces toasted on one side, leaving the other side moist. Spread your toppings on the crispy side, where they’ll stay put.
2. __Experiment with different flavors__: Feel free to experiment, using the tartine base for another accouterment—fresh greens, soft-ripened cheeses, and jams. Load up on the spread, but make sure you can pick up the tartine with one hand to honor the traditional way of consuming the dish.
3. __Choose a cheese that melts__: While cheese is a staple ingredient in a tartine, be sure to choose an option that can melt under direct heat, like [Brie or Camembert](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/camembert-vs-brie-guide). Semi-firm cheeses like [paneer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer), halloumi, and feta won’t melt because producers make them with ingredients that help them hold their shape.
4. __Choose a moist bread__: You can prepare your tartine with bread that’s beyond peak freshness but hasn’t yet dried out: The cheese adds just enough moisture to revive a slightly stiffened crumb. Apollonia uses a few slices of Poilâne-style wheat loaf for her family’s classic tartine recipe.
You can find tartines, or open-faced sandwiches with a spreadable topping, throughout Paris, including at the bakery that Apollonia Poilâne’s opened in 1996. Learn how to make the acclaimed baker’s sourdough wheat tartines recipe, along with some cooking tips.

A tartine is a French open-faced sandwich consisting of a slice of toasted bread with a spreadable topping. Tartine toppings run the gamut, from rich and hearty ingredients, like cheese, beans, and meats, to light options like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-hummus' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-hummus","linkCopy":"hummus","category":null}'>hummus</a> and fresh greens. Savory tartines like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-avocado-toast' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-avocado-toast","linkCopy":"avocado toast","category":null}'>avocado toast</a> are staples on brunch menus, and sweet, spreadable combinations—like blueberry and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ricotta-cheese-tips-and-3-ingredient-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-ricotta-cheese-tips-and-3-ingredient-recipe","linkCopy":"ricotta","category":null}'>ricotta</a> or figs and Brie—make great breakfast options. When preparing a tartine, choose a sturdy bread option, like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sourdough-bread-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"sourdough","category":null}'>sourdough</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/classic-french-baguette-recipe-learn-how-to-make-baguettes-at-home","linkCopy":"baguette","category":null}'>baguette</a>, that can stand up against the weight of the spreads. Toasting or grilling the bread will ensure you can slather on the topping of your choice.

What Is a Tartine?

From toasting methods to cheese selection, here are some tips to consider when compiling ingredients for your own batch of tartines:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use a toaster: Apollonia toasts her tartine in the broiler, which allows the cheese to melt and the ham to crisp up without making a mess. However, if you want to include ingredients like butter and ham that don’t require cooking, cut two thin slices of bread off the loaf and put both halves in the same toaster slot. That way, you’ll end up with two pieces toasted on one side, leaving the other side moist. Spread your toppings on the crispy side, where they’ll stay put. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Experiment with different flavors: Feel free to experiment, using the tartine base for another accouterment—fresh greens, soft-ripened cheeses, and jams. Load up on the spread, but make sure you can pick up the tartine with one hand to honor the traditional way of consuming the dish. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Choose a cheese that melts: While cheese is a staple ingredient in a tartine, be sure to choose an option that can melt under direct heat, like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/camembert-vs-brie-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/camembert-vs-brie-guide","linkCopy":"Brie or Camembert","category":null}'>Brie or Camembert</a>. Semi-firm cheeses like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-paneer","linkCopy":"paneer","category":null}'>paneer</a>, halloumi, and feta won’t melt because producers make them with ingredients that help them hold their shape. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Choose a moist bread: You can prepare your tartine with bread that’s beyond peak freshness but hasn’t yet dried out: The cheese adds just enough moisture to revive a slightly stiffened crumb. Apollonia uses a few slices of Poilâne-style wheat loaf for her family’s classic tartine recipe. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Sourdough Wheat Tartines

Apollonia Poilâane’s Sourdough Wheat Tartines Recipe

You can find tartines, or open-faced sandwiches with a spreadable topping, throughout Paris, including at the bakery that Apollonia Poilâne’s opened in 1996. Learn how to make the acclaimed baker’s sourdough wheat tartines recipe, along with some cooking tips.

You can find tartines, or open-faced sandwiches with a spreadable topping, throughout Paris, including at the bakery that Apollonia Poilâne’s opened in 1996. Learn how to make the acclaimed baker’s sourdough wheat tartines recipe, along with some cooking tips.
