Zingy Crispy Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe: Jolly Party Nibblers
Bite-sized appetizers with baked brie and cranberry sauce can turn any gathering into a festive celebration.
These crispy cranberry brie bites pack an incredible flavor punch that surprises guests.
Elegant yet simple, the recipe combines creamy cheese with tart cranberry in a golden, flaky pastry shell.
Each little bite delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.
Puff pastry creates a delicate, crisp exterior that cradles the melted brie and vibrant cranberry sauce.
Preparing these appetizers takes less than 30 minutes, making them ideal for spontaneous entertaining or holiday parties.
Serve these irresistible morsels and watch your guests swoon with delight.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories: 120 kcal
Servings: 13
What You Need to Make Cranberry Brie Bites
For Pastry Base:
Puff Pastry: Delivers a light, flaky foundation that creates an elegant, crispy vessel for the filling, ensuring a delicate and buttery texture that complements the creamy brie.
Flour: Prevents pastry from sticking and helps create a smooth rolling surface for precise cutting.
For Filling and Topping:
Brie Cheese: Provides a rich, creamy center with a luxurious melting quality that pairs perfectly with the tart cranberry, offering a classic French-inspired flavor profile.
Cranberry Sauce or Whole Cranberries: Introduces a vibrant, tangy burst of flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese, adding a festive and bright element to the bite-sized appetizer.
Fresh Thyme or Rosemary (Optional): Brings an aromatic herbal note that elevates the overall taste and adds a sophisticated touch to the appetizer.
For Optional Garnish and Seasoning:
Black Pepper: Provides a subtle, warm heat that enhances the complexity of the cheese and cranberry combination.
Sea Salt: Highlights and balances the flavors of the brie and cranberry, creating a more rounded taste experience.
Kitchen Tools for Perfectly Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
Mini muffin tin: Essential for creating bite-sized appetizers with perfect shape and size.
Parchment paper: Optional lining to prevent sticking and easy removal of pastry bites.
Rolling pin: Helps smooth out puff pastry and create even thickness.
Sharp knife or pizza cutter: Needed for cutting precise pastry squares.
Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for rolling and cutting pastry.
Pastry brush (optional): Can be used to brush edges with egg wash or melted butter.
Measuring tools: Small ruler or measuring tape helpful for consistent square sizes.
How to Prepare Cranberry Brie Bites with Less Fuss
Warm Up the Oven Crank your oven to a toasty 200C (400F) and give your mini muffin tin a quick spray of cooking oil or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Roll and Smooth Dust your work surface with a light sprinkle of flour and roll out the puff pastry, smoothing away any stubborn creases.
Create Pastry Squares Slice the pastry into 12 even-sized squares that will perfectly nestle into your muffin tin.
Tuck Pastry Gently press each square into the muffin cups, creating little pastry nests that will cradle your delicious filling.
Add Brie and Cranberry Place a small chunk of creamy brie and a dollop of tangy cranberry sauce into each pastry cup.
Bake to Perfection Pop the tin into the hot oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the pastry turns golden and puffy, and the cheese melts into gooey deliciousness.
Cool and Serve Let the bites rest for a few minutes, then carefully remove them from the tin and serve warm as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ways to Switch Up Your Cranberry Brie Bites
Ensure your puff pastry is cold but pliable when working with it to achieve those beautiful flaky layers.
Prepare these bites up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator before baking for stress-free entertaining.
Swap traditional puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry to accommodate guests with wheat sensitivities.
Experiment with different preserves like fig jam or orange marmalade instead of cranberry sauce for unique flavor combinations.
These bites are naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by using dairy-free brie alternatives and plant-based puff pastry.
Presenting Cranberry Brie Bites for Guests or Events
Festive Party Platter: Arrange these golden-brown bites on a wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary, creating a stunning appetizer spread that looks as delicious as it tastes.
Elegant Cocktail Companion: Serve alongside chilled white wine or sparkling champagne for a sophisticated pre-dinner nibble that elevates any gathering with friends.
Brunch Centerpiece: Pair these crispy pastry bites with a light mixed green salad and fresh fruit for a delightful weekend morning meal that feels both indulgent and fresh.
Seasonal Gift Idea: Package a few bites in a cute gift box with a ribbon for a homemade present that shows thoughtfulness and culinary skill during holiday celebrations.
How to Keep Cranberry Brie Bites Tasting Fresh
Store leftovers in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and crispy texture.
Prepare the bites up to 24 hours in advance and keep them chilled, then bake just before serving for fresh, warm appetizers.
Assemble unbaked bites and freeze separately on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for storage up to 2 months; bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
Allow baked bites to cool for 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, which helps stabilize the melted brie and prevents burning your guests' mouths while maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
Cranberry brie bites deliver festive flavor in one delightful pop, combining creamy cheese and tart berries with buttery pastry. Elegant appetizers perfect for holiday gatherings bring gourmet flair to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
120 g (4 oz) brie cheese (cut into small cubes)
½ cup (120 ml) cranberry sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
¼ cup (30 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 200C (400F) and prepare mini muffin tin with light grease or parchment paper lining.
Pastry Shaping: Smooth out puff pastry on floured surface, then precisely cut into 12 uniform squares, gently pressing each into muffin tin cups.
Cheese Layering: Place a small, delicate slice of brie cheese at the base of each pastry-lined cup, ensuring even distribution.
Cranberry Topping: Spoon a generous dollop of cranberry sauce or whole cranberry preserves atop the brie, creating a vibrant and tangy layer.
Optional Garnish: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary over the bites for an aromatic herbal touch.
Baking Process: Transfer muffin tin to preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until pastry turns golden brown and crisp, and cheese melts luxuriously.
Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven, allow bites to cool for 3-5 minutes in tin, then carefully transfer to serving platter, ensuring delicate pastry maintains its shape.
Notes
Use all-butter puff pastry for richer flavor and better rise, ensuring crispy, golden edges.
Chill pastry squares briefly before filling to maintain structural integrity and prevent excess moisture absorption.
Cut Brie into small, uniform pieces to ensure even melting and prevent overflow during baking.
Use a small amount of cranberry sauce or preserves to prevent overwhelming the delicate cheese flavor, creating perfect bite-sized appetizers.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.