Crispy Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
These crispy baked cranberry brie bites are the perfect easy holiday party appetizer, featuring flaky puff pastry, creamy brie, and tangy cranberry sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re a crowd-pleaser for any festive gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- 8 oz brie cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (rind on or off)
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional, for garnish)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup sugar (for homemade cranberry sauce)
- 2 tbsp orange juice (for homemade cranberry sauce)
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest (for homemade cranberry sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If making homemade cranberry sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup cranberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tbsp orange juice, and 1/2 tsp lemon zest. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop and sauce thickens (8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares (about 24 squares per sheet).
- Cut brie into 1/2-inch cubes. Chill brie slightly for cleaner cuts if needed.
- Gently press each pastry square into a cup of a mini muffin tin. Place a cube of brie in the center, top with 1 tsp cranberry sauce, and sprinkle with chopped nuts if using. Add a small sprig of rosemary or thyme if desired.
- Beat the egg in a small bowl. Brush exposed pastry edges with egg wash.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden and cheese is melted.
- Let bites cool in the tin for 3-5 minutes, then carefully lift out with a spoon.
- Arrange on a platter and serve warm.
Notes
Keep puff pastry cold for best results. Don’t overfill the bites to prevent overflow. For a gluten-free or vegan version, use specialty puff pastry and plant-based brie. You can assemble ahead and bake just before serving. Freeze unbaked bites for easy prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cranberry brie bites, holiday appetizer, puff pastry, party snack, easy appetizer, baked brie, festive finger food