Easy Cranberry Brie Bites with Puff Pastry

Looking for an easy festive appetizer? These cranberry Brie bites with layers of flaky pastry, creamy cheese and tangy cranberry take just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on prep time.

These individual puff pastry bites are filled with Brie and cranberry sauce, then topped with chopped pecans and fresh thyme. They're baked in a muffin pan, so they're the perfect size for entertaining.

They bake up crisp and golden on the outside with warm, melty Brie in the center. Just set them out on a platter for easy finger food appetizers for holiday parties.

Ingredients you'll need

This cranberry brie bites recipe uses 5 simple ingredients.

• Puff pastry: A frozen sheet (thawed according to package instructions) makes the flaky pastry cups.
• Brie: Half of a small wheel. You can leave the rind on or remove it if you prefer.
• Cranberry sauce: I use my homemade cranberry sauce, but your favorite store-bought whole cranberry sauce works too.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add a little crunch.
• Fresh thyme: Adds a savory, herbal flavor that works well with the cranberry and Brie.

Equipment

• 12-cup muffin pan: Use one standard muffin pan or two 6-cup pans to make the bites.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll the puff pastry out slightly before cutting.
• Chef's knife: For cutting the Brie and dividing the puff pastry into squares.

Step-by-step instructions

Here's how to make cranberry brie bites with puff pastry.

Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or two 6-cup muffin pans.

Cut the Brie: Cut the Brie into 12 even pieces.

Prepare the pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry and roll it out slightly. Cut it into 12 squares.

Fill the muffin pan: Place one pastry square in each muffin cup, with the corners coming up the sides. Add one piece of Brie to the center of each.

Add the toppings: Divide the cranberry sauce evenly among the cups. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and fresh thyme.

Bake: Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden.

Garnish: Sprinkle with additional fresh thyme before serving.

Serving suggestions

Serve these cranberry Brie bites warm as an appetizer. They're easy to arrange on a serving platter and pair well with other finger foods.

For a holiday appetizer spread, serve them alongside crab stuffed mushrooms and shrimp deviled eggs.

Variations to try

• Change the nuts: Use chopped pistachios or walnuts instead of pecans, or skip the nuts altogether.
• Use a different herb: Garnish with a small sprig of rosemary or finely chopped sage instead of thyme.
• Try a different jam: Swap the cranberry sauce for fig jam or raspberry preserves.
• Add a little sweetness: Drizzle a little honey over the bites just before serving.

How to store

These bites are best served warm, shortly after baking. If you have leftovers, let them cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 325°F oven until warmed through.

More easy appetizers

Here are a few more easy appetizer recipes featuring cheese or puff pastry.

Baked Brie with Red Pepper Jelly: Baked Brie topped with red pepper jelly for an easy warm cheese appetizer.

Holiday Baked Brie: A festive way to serve a whole Brie with cranberries for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Pizza Pinwheels: These rolled puff pastry bites have cheesy pizza flavor and are an easy party finger food.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip: A sweet cream cheese dip with fall flavor for an appetizer or dessert spread.