The fabulously festive, outrageously easy, ooh and ahhh-worthy appetizer that will lead you to wonder why you’d fuss with any other appetizer ever again: EASY Brie Bites!
Melty pieces of Brie cheese tucked inside personally-sized pieces of golden, buttery puff pastry, then topped with cranberry sauce, pecans, and a sprig of rosemary for festive color, these tasty morsels are a total show stealer.
These easy Brie bites are the low-maintenance version of my mini Cranberry Brie Bites, which are essentially like bite-sized versions of a wheel of Brie wrapped in puff pastry.
They are delicious but labor-intensive. So much stamping and sealing!
Today’s version? DEAD SIMPLE.
Instead of making little pockets of puff pastry, you cut the pastry sheets into squares, then tuck the squares into mini muffin tins.
Add your cheese and the topping of your choice (our favorite is this quick Cranberry Orange Sauce), sprinkle with nuts, then pop them into the oven.
In 18 to 20 minutes, your stunning appetizer is ready to serve.
We’ve attended a cache of holiday parties, and I have brought some version of these tasty Brie bites to every single one of them.
A new party will come along, and I’ll think “I’ll make something else this time!”…and then I find myself right back here.
Can you blame me?
These brie bites wow the crowd each time I make them.
They’re easy on the chef (me!), and since they can be prepped in advance, it’s easy to make them in bulk, then freeze all or a portion until party time.
How to Make Easy, DELISH Cranberry Brie Bites in Puff Pastry
The Ingredients
- Puff Pastry. My holiday appetizer secret weapon! I love using this simple, buttery, and flaky freezer staple any chance I get this time of year (and my guests love it too). You can find puff pastry in the freezer section at your local grocery store (buy extra and use it for Spinach Puffs).
- Brie Cheese. If you have never tried Brie cheese, you need to make this recipe immediately. Brie cheese is buttery, unbelievably creamy, and proves that heaven on earth does, in fact, exist.
- Cranberry Sauce. I love the combination of the sweet cranberry sauce with the nutty Brie cheese flavor. I used my Homemade Cranberry Sauce here, but you could also use any jam you like.
- Sea Salt. A pinch of good, flaky sea salt makes the other flavors pop. Don’t skip it.
- Pecans. The pecans add a nice crunch and special flare.
- Rosemary. A sprig of fresh rosemary is delicious and beautiful on each Brie bite. Plus the red and green makes them look perfect on a holiday plate.
The Directions
- Place the Brie in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up, and generously coat your mini muffin pans with nonstick spray.
- Roll the puff pastry into a rectangle, then cut into squares.
- Press the squares into each muffin cup. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the puff pastry in a couple places.
- Dice the Brie and add one piece to each muffin cup.
- Top the Brie with the cranberry sauce, salt, and pecans.
- Place the muffin pans on top of baking sheets to catch any drips. Bake the Brie bites for 18 to 20 minutes at 375 degrees F, until puffed and golden. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes. Transfer the bites to a serving plate, and garnish with fresh rosemary. Serve hot or at room temperature, and DIG IN!
Quick Tips: How to Prepare Brie for Brie Bites
- Do I Need to Cut the Rind of Brie Before Baking? No, you do not need to remove the rind before baking the Brie. It is edible and barely noticeable once the Brie is baked. If you prefer to cut the rind off, you can cut it off and use only the inside, but I find it wastes a lot of cheese.
- I recommend popping the Brie into the freezer for about 15 minutes before preparing the recipe. This will make it easier to slice into pieces for these bites; Brie is so creamy, it tends to come part otherwise (delicious for regular snacking but less convenient for a Brie appetizer).
Recipe Variations + Topping Suggestions
- Cranberry Brie Bites. Now that we’ve enjoyed a wide sampling of these baked Brie bites, I feel confident playing favorites. Our #1 is the version of the bites topped with homemade cranberry sauce.
- Raspberry Brie Bites. This was a close second, made using store-bought raspberry jam in place of the cranberry sauce. Quick and delicious!
- Fig Brie Bites. I used fig butter purchased at Trader Joe’s; fig jam would work as well. Since figs are quite sweet, I recommend dialing it down to ½ teaspoon per bite. (Are you a fan of figs like me? Be sure to check out these Mini Fig Goat Cheese Bacon Phyllo Bites.)
- Apricot Brie Bites. The next flavor of jam I want to try. Honestly, the jam possibilities are endless!
- Pepper Jelly Brie Bites. Sweet and spicy! Use pepper jelly in place of the cranberry sauce.
- Savory Brie Bites. Instead of jam, use a store-bought savory chutney. Pesto (like these Pesto Pinwheels) would be ultra tasty too.
Prefer goat cheese over brie? Try these Goat Cheese Balls instead.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Place bites in a mini muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through. You can also serve these bites at room temperature.
- To Freeze. Bake the Brie bites as directed and let cool completely. Then arrange the bites in a single layer on a baking sheet, and place in the freezer until solid. Store the frozen bites in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, reheat directly from frozen in a 350 degree F oven until hot.
Meal Prep Tip
Fully assemble the bites in the muffin pan, and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 3 days before baking. You can also fully bake and freeze these bites for up to 2 months. See notes on this above.
Mini Muffin Pan Recommendations + A Note on Batch Size
This recipe yields 48 bites, which means that you can either:
- Bake ONE Batch (fastest option) using two, 24-cup muffin pans like this. Bake both pans at the same time, placing one pan in the upper third of the oven and one in the lower third of the oven; switch the pans’ positions once halfway through.
- Bake FOUR Batches using two, 12-cup mini muffin pans like this. Bake two pans at the same time, rotating the pans’ positions as directed above.
- And if you only have one mini muffin pan of any size you can bake these bites in as many batches as it makes sense. I own two, 12 cup pans, so I baked 24 bites (filling both pans) one day, froze the bites, then baked the second 24 bites the next day. I reheated the frozen bites just before party time. No one could tell the difference!
Enjoy the holiday festivities more and stress over what to bring to a holiday party less with these simple, sublime cranberry Brie bites!
Frequently Asked Questions
While I haven’t tried this myself, another reader has reported success with it. I recommend reducing the cook time to roughly 12 to 14 minutes, but check them very early and often.
Yes! Try a Brie bite variety plate: Arrange the puff pastry and Brie in the muffin tin as directed. Top some of the pieces with raspberry, some with cranberry, some with pesto, etc. You can use a mix of nuts as well. Then, let guests sample and choose their favorites.
If you’d like to switch out the nuts, swap the pecans for chopped walnuts or pistachios.
Brie Bites with Cranberry
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry thawed overnight in the refrigerator
- 8 ounces Brie cheese
- 1 cup Homemade Cranberry Sauce or whole berry cranberry sauce or jam of choice
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt such as Maldon or fleur de sel
- 1/2 cup finely chopped raw pecans
- 4 springs fresh rosemary cut into 6 pieces
Instructions
- Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the Brie in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up. VERY generously coat 2, 24-cup mini muffin pans with nonstick spray (if you only have 1 pan or if you have 2, 12-cups pans, make the Brie bites in batches).
- Unroll 1 sheet puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface (leave the second sheet in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it). Roll into a 10 x 14-inch rectangle. Cut the sheet lengthwise into 4 even strips. Cut crosswise into 6 even strips. You will have 24 squares total (each square will be about 2 1/2 inches on each side). Gently separate the squares and press them into the mini muffin tins to create a puff pastry cup. With the tines of a fork, prick the bottom of each puff pastry in 2 to 3 places.
- Cut the piece of Brie in half, then place 1 half back in the freezer. Dice the remaining Brie into 24 pieces (they will be between 3/4 and 1/2-inch on each side). Place one piece of Brie in the center of each mini muffin cup. Top each piece of Brie with 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then half of the chopped pecans. Place in the refrigerator. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry, second half of Brie, and the remaining salt and pecans.
- Place each muffin pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any cheese or cranberry that bubbles over. Bake the pans on the upper and lower thirds of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and the corners are golden brown, switching the pans’ positions on the upper and lower racks once halfway through. Let cool in the pans for 3 minutes. If any of the Brie or cranberry has bubbled out, use a fork to scoot it back into the center of the bites (no one will know!).
- Gently transfer the bites to a serving plate (I find a fork works well to transfer them). Garnish each with a small piece of fresh rosemary. Enjoy hot or at room temperature.
Notes
- TO STORE: Store leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Place bites in a mini muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through. You can also serve these bites at room temperature.
- TO FREEZE: Bake the Brie bites as directed and let cool completely. Then arrange the bites in a single layer on a baking sheet, and place in the freezer until solid. Store the frozen bites in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350 degree F oven until hot.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: Fully assemble the bites in the muffin pan, and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 3 days before baking. You can also fully bake and freeze these bites for up to 2 months. See notes on this above.
Nutrition
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Have you ever tried this with apples? I have a mass of apples leftover from apple picking this year and thought apples, Brie, and maybe a little thyme would make for a nice combo…do you think I could just dice up the apples raw or should I cook them and make more of a chutney before adding to the bites?
Hi Beata! I’ve only tested this recipe as written, so I wouldn’t be able to advise how it would be to make with apples. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
i only have jellied cranberry sauce. can i try it?
Hi Pam! I haven’t tested it this way, but I am sure you can give it a try. Let me know how it goes!
I like the recipe, but the puff pastry came out soft and greasy as opposed to puffed and baked. Any tips? I sprayed the pans generously–perhaps too generously?
Hi Jennifer! Definitely go a little lighter on the spray. I say spray generously but it is always going to depend on what mini muffin pans you use too. Some require more of a coating and some do not. Also puff pastry is buttery so it will always have a slightly greasy feel to them. All ovens are different so my best guess is to cook them on the bottom rack a little longer. They should definitely be puffed and baked. Lastly, the mini muffin pans will make a difference in how the pastry comes out. Darker coated ones seem to bake better than lighter coated ones. Hope this helps!
Do you know if they turn soft or soggy if refrigerated/reheated? I’m considering taking these to a potluck but making them the night before. Any info would be appreciated! :)
Hi Stephanie, any time you use puff pastry it will lose some of its texture when refrigerated. When reheating place bites in a mini muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through.This should help the crisp them back up just a little. You can also serve these bites at room temperature. Hope this helps!
This is one of my favorites! To remove the rind, I use a veggie peeler. Virtually no waste.
Hi! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review! And great tip!
This was DELICIOUS and a total hit at my family party, and it was sooooo easy to make!
Hi Katie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
So cute and yummy! Big hit at my party and so easy to make.
Hi Jeannie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Wonderful recipe! I lightly toasted the pecans beforehand and made a quick cranberry sauce. My husband and I really enjoyed them! Thanks so much!
Hi Denise! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
My family and I loved the Brie bites! The recipe is easy to follow and they taste amazing. I definitely recommend this recipe!!
Hi Lindsey! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
We made these last night to take to a party. They certainly tasted great, but were such a total mess that we didn’t want to share them. The brie expanded massively, literally boiled up and almost completely out of the pastry cups. What was left was watery jam.
What do you think caused this?
Next batch I made as a galette, with just one larger circle of dough, brie, jam and nuts with folded in edges. Again the brie greatly expanded and boiled up, but not over the edges. Tasted fantastic, looked better, but again the brie was only detectable by taste, and visually just a watery jam coating on the dough. The jam wasn’t a cheap version either.
Would love to know how to make them both attractive and delicious.
Hi Ann! This recipe does a good job of telling you how to make them both attractive and delicious. If your jam is watery, I think the issue with that is the type of jam used. I’ve not had this issue with my cranberry sauce that I use for these. Also you might need to allow your brie to freeze for a little longer if it’s expanding that much and broiling out. Other than that, it’s really hard to know what went wrong without being in the kitchen with you. Myself ( and others) have had great success, so I wish they would of been a hit for you too!
I made a recipe, same ingredients and the Brie also bubbled over, the jam baked on the rim making it hard to get out of the tins. It was still very good but the bottom of some did not seem quite done. I am looking at this recipe and comments to see how to solve the problem because they are so tasty! Next time I will poke holes in the bottom and bake at 350 rather than 400. And put the Brie in the freezer. They are definitely worth trying again! Thanks for the help everyone!
I’m sorry to hear you had this issue Glenda! The method has worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would of been a hit for you too!
I love this recipe and found a delicious twist on it. Stonewall Kitchens makes a wonderful cranberry horseradish spread that is is perfect for this. It really give it a savory, sharp edge. And I just love horse radish.
Hi Libby! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These were delicious and easy to make. Can really taste the brie and cranberry, a very good combination. I don’t like rosemary so I left that off also didn’t use nuts (I wish I had for a little crunch). Quick bite and a great appetizer.
Hi Kathy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I’d like to make these as an early appetizer on Christmas, but the oven will be very busy. Do you think I could make them and pull the edges together like a sort of wonton and then cook them in the air fryer? Any suggestions re this idea would be appreciated. I won’t hold you responsible if they come out funny. Thanks
Hi Robbie! While I haven’t tested it out myself it sounds like it could work! Maybe give it a test run with just one pastry to see how the timing and temperature are. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
These were fabulous! I did use damson plum jam instead of cranberry and lightly toasted the pecans before using, but filled the rest of the recipe perfectly. SO darn good, we were blown away. Thanks Erin, another super recipe I will make again and again.
That sounds tasty Robbie! So glad you enjoyed them!
My name is also Erin Clarke… so I knew this recipe was going to be amazing before I even made it! Lol! Yum!
Hi Erin! Love that! Thanks so much!
Overall this recipe is very easy. No problems with bubbling over (I left the rind on the cheese) and the puff pastry was soft, but crisp and warm and lovely. We had homemade cranberry sauce I used. Couldn’t find fresh rosemary so added the teeniest amount of dry. I “chopped” the pecans in a blender which I wouldn’t do next time just so we could have more of a crunch–they got too fine and soft in the blender. And I didn’t have any flaky sea salt so I used a small amount of table salt on one tray of bites and a different sea salt spice blend on another and they both tasted super yummy. Big hit at Christmas! I’ll make it again Thanks!
Hi ColleenB! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Made these for Christmas and they were soooo delicious!! Everyone loved them. I made them with your cranberry sauce recipe as well which was also yummy!
Hi Debbie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Total disaster. I followed directions exactly, baked for 22 minutes and bottom was greasy mess. I could not get them out of muffin tins, had to dig them out. I finally put on baking sheet and was able to brown bottoms a little. The bites looked terrible and I could not take to our Christmas party. If I find the courage to try again I will try to prebake the puff pastry, less cheese and top with jam/fruit at end of baking. I loved the idea, but these were epic fail.
I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe Dawn. The timing and method has worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would of been a hit for you too.
Have you ever baked the pastry dough first to crisp it up, then add ingredients for the last few minutes to melt cheese and warm?
Hi Nicole! I’ve only made the recipe as is. Hope you enjoy it!