Dec 18, 2023, Updated Oct 14, 2024 These little baked brie bites are the tastiest brie appetizer recipe. With crisp, golden brown puff pastry cups holding melty brie and tart cranberry sauce, you’re looking at the hit of the party right here, and it couldn’t be easier.
Why You’ll Love This Brie Appetizer Recipe
Quick and Simple: These brie bites are incredibly easy to make with frozen puff pastry dough. Perhaps Better Than Whole Baked Brie: I do love baking a whole brie wheel, but I’m always a bit baffled about what to serve with a traditional baked brie recipe. Crackers or baguette slices in addition to the puff pastry feels heavy and redundent. These little brie cups are an all-in-one solution, with the vessel and the topping in one cute little bite! Problem solved. Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The creamy brie pairs beautifully with the tangy cranberry sauce and crunchy walnuts, creating a gorgeous combo of flavors.
Here’s What You Need
Creating these Brie Appetizer Bites is a breeze when you have the right ingredients, some fun variations, and essential tools.
Brie Appetizer Ingredients
Let’s dive into the role of each ingredient:
Puff Pastry: Grab some from the grocery store freezer section. Super easy, and it forms the crispy, flaky base of each bite. Small Wheel of Brie Cheese: Adds a creamy, rich texture and mild flavor. Cranberry Sauce: Provides a tart contrast to the rich brie. You could alternatively use your favorite fruit preserves, like apricot or cherry. Chopped Walnuts: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Fresh Rosemary or Thyme: Enhances the bites with a subtle herby aroma. Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Balances and elevates the overall flavor. Egg wash: Optional, but makes the crust golden, shiny and beautiful
Variations and Substitutions
Tailor the bites to your taste with these suggestions:
Different Jams: Swap cranberry sauce with fig jam, apricot preserve, or raspberry jam for a different flavor profile. Other Nuts: Try using pecans, almonds, pistachios or pine nuts instead of walnuts. Herb Varieties: Experiment with different herbs like basil or oregano for a unique twist. Spices: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spicy note.
Grab these Tools
Having the right tools makes the preparation smoother:
Mini Muffin Tin: Essential for shaping and baking the bites. Rolling Pin: To roll out the puff pastry evenly. Sharp Knife: For cutting the puff pastry and brie. Cutting Board: A stable surface for chopping and assembling. Spoon: To top each bite with cranberry sauce and walnuts. Oven Mitts: To handle the hot muffin tin safely. Serving Platter: To present your delicious appetizer.
How to Make Brie Appetizer Bites: An Easy Guide
Preparing Your Oven and Tin
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even baking. Prep the Tin: Grease a mini muffin tin so the pastry won’t stick and you can easily remove the bites once baked.
Rolling and Cutting the Puff Pastry
Roll Out the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a thin rectangle or square, approximately 10×12 inches in size. Cut the Pastry: Slice the pastry into 16 squares, each about 2 ½ inches, which will fit perfectly in the cups of your mini muffin tin.
Cutting and Assembling the Brie
Prep the Brie: Cut the brie cheese into small pieces that will snugly fit into the muffin cups. Assemble the Bites: Place a puff pastry square in each muffin cup. Add a piece of brie to each, then top with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.
Baking the Bites
Bake to Perfection: Place the tin in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry turns golden and the brie melts beautifully.
Garnishing and Serving
Cool and Garnish: After baking, let the bites cool for a couple of minutes. Then, garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary leaves and a sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper. Ready to Serve: Present these warm, delightful bites on a serving platter.
Follow these steps, and you’ll have a batch of delicious Brie Appetizer Bites that are as enjoyable to make as they are to eat. Perfect for impressing guests with minimal effort!
Make Ahead and Storage
Efficiently plan and store your Brie Appetizer Bites to maintain their taste and freshness.
Make Ahead: Assemble the bites a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Refrigerate: Keep any leftover baked bites in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 days. Reheat: To refresh leftovers, briefly reheat them in the oven at 350°F until warm and crispy. Freezing Unbaked: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked bites. Bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How to Serve This Brie Appetizer Recipe
These Brie Appetizer Bites are a versatile addition to any event or meal. Serving Suggestions
Warm: Serve these bites warm from the oven to enjoy the melty brie at its best. Room Temperature: They’re also delicious at room temperature, making them great for buffets or potlucks.
Toppings and Add-Ins Enhance your appetizer with these toppings:
Drizzle: Add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup or balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy twist. Spices: Sprinkle a little smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Nuts: Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds for different nutty flavors.
Avoid These 6 Common Mistakes When Making Brie Appetizer Bites
Here are the most frequent mix-ups to avoid when making Brie Appetizer Bites:
Can I use any type of puff pastry? Yes, any store-bought puff pastry works well, just make sure it’s thawed before use. How do I prevent the pastry from becoming soggy? Avoid overloading the pastry with toppings and bake until golden to ensure crispiness. Can I make these bites ahead of time? Absolutely! Assemble them ahead and bake when you’re ready to serve. What other cheese can I use instead of brie? Camembert or a mild blue cheese can be a great alternative. Can I add meat to these appetizers? Yes, adding small pieces of prosciutto or cooked bacon can add a savory twist. How do I store leftover Brie Appetizer Bites? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat before serving.
Other Festive Appetizers to Try Here are some of my other favorite holiday party nibbles!
Mozzarella Sticks with Tasty Mozza Stick Dip Goat Cheese Appetizer with Pomegranate and Pistachios Baked Herbed Goat Cheese Fritters Baked Puff Pastry Brie Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Blue Cheese Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs Boom Boom Shrimp
