Crispy Cranberry Brie Bites: Easy Holiday Appetizers
These elegant yet simple appetizers feature flaky puff pastry filled with creamy brie cheese and tart cranberry sauce, baked until golden and crispy. Perfect for holiday gatherings or last-minute entertaining.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz Brie cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (jellied or whole berry)
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
- Fresh thyme or rosemary, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Thaw puff pastry on the counter for 30-40 minutes until pliable but still cold.
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out the pastry to smooth wrinkles, then cut into 2-inch squares (yields 12-16 squares).
- Cut Brie into 1-inch cubes. If too soft, freeze for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Place one teaspoon of cranberry sauce in the center of each pastry square.
- Top the sauce with one cube of Brie cheese.
- Brush the edges and tops of the pastry squares with the egg wash.
- Place bites on the baking sheet, leaving an inch between each.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden brown, rotating the pan halfway through.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, sprinkle with sea salt and optional herbs, and serve warm.
Notes
Keep the pastry cold until baking to ensure proper rising. Do not overfill the bites to prevent sogginess or burning. For best results, use high-quality puff pastry like Pepperidge Farm. These can be assembled and frozen unbaked for later use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 4
Keywords: holiday appetizers, cranberry brie, puff pastry, easy party food, brie bites, christmas appetizers, thanksgiving snacks