These Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites tuck melty Brie, cranberry jam, toasted walnuts, and fresh rosemary into puff pastry cups. They take about 20 minutes of prep with simple ingredients, and you can assemble them the day before, which makes them a good pick for any holiday. If you love this sweet and savory pairing, my Baked Brie with Walnuts is the big-wheel version.
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites At A Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 35 to 40 minutes (20 min prep + 15 to 20 min bake)
- 👥 Servings: 24 bites (about 8 servings)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Type: Mediterranean-Inspired Holiday Appetizer
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Creamy, melty Brie and tangy-sweet cranberry jam, balanced by slightly bitter toasted walnuts and piney rosemary in buttery, flaky pastry
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian. Contains dairy, tree nuts, and gluten (regular puff pastry). Use gluten-free puff pastry for a gluten-free version, or leave off the walnuts for a nut-free one.
- 📦 Storage Notes: Assemble up to a day ahead and refrigerate unbaked. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, then reheat at 350°F for about 5 minutes to crisp them back up.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Dinner-party energy, weeknight effort. They look like you fussed, and the oven does the real work while you greet your guests.
Warm, melty cheese with something sweet on top is a reliable way to start any party. If you're building a cheese-forward spread, my Portuguese Baked Cheese and Whipped Ricotta both deliver that same sweet and savory balance with almost no effort. If cranberries and walnuts are your favorite holiday pairing, my Cranberry Walnut Bread belongs on your list too.
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These bites are at their best served with a few other make-ahead appetizers, so you're not stuck in the kitchen once the doorbell starts ringing. I like to pair them with a bowl of Rosemary-Roasted Nuts, which echo the rosemary and walnuts here, and a plate of Prosciutto-wrapped Dates for another sweet and salty bite. For a heartier spread on New Year's Eve or game day, add a warm Spinach and Crab Dip, and the whole table looks like it took far more work than it did.
Key Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this baked brie bites puff pastry:
- Brie Cheese - Brie is a soft, creamy cow's milk cheese that turns silky and melty in the oven. I tested these bites with the rind on and the rind off and found very little difference, so I trim it off. That's a personal preference, not a rule. The rind is edible, so leave it on if you like a little more chew.
- Cranberry Jam - Most cranberry brie bites call for cranberry sauce. I use a good store-bought cranberry jam instead, and any flavor works. Jam is thicker than sauce, so it sits on top of the Brie rather than running, and there's nothing to cook or strain. If you'd rather use sauce, my homemade Cranberry Sauce is a lovely swap, and it's the version that gets a drizzle of honey.
- Walnuts - Toasted walnuts add crunch and a slightly bitter edge that keeps the sweet jam and rich Brie from tasting one-note. I choose walnuts over pecans because I like a little bitterness, though pecans would be delicious too. Walnuts and rosemary are a natural pairing.
- Puff Pastry - Store-bought puff pastry does all the heavy lifting: it bakes into golden, flaky cups with buttery layers. I originally developed this recipe with gluten-free puff pastry, and regular puff pastry works just as well. Either way, it bakes up crisp and tastes great. I keep a box in the freezer through the holidays so I can make these on short notice.
See the recipe card for quantities.
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Variations
- A different jam - Fig, apricot, or cherry preserves all pair well with Brie. A fig jam with raspberry or orange in the mix is especially good.
- Pistachios - Chopped pistachios bring a brighter green color and a buttery crunch that leans even more Mediterranean.
- Gluten-free - Use gluten-free puff pastry. This recipe was originally developed with it, and the bites bake up just as crisp and golden.
- Savory version - Skip the jam and top the Brie with a small spoonful of caramelized onions or olive tapenade.
How To Make Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites: Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 24 mini-muffin pan with a non-stick spray. Cut the puff pastry into 2-inch squares and place each square into a muffin hole, pressing down gently.
Step 2: Cut small pieces of brie, about 2 teaspoons each and add them on top of the pastry.
Step 3: Top with the jam and walnuts.
Step 4: Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Helpful Tips
- Use a sharp knife - A clean cut through the pastry leaves the edges open so the layers can rise evenly. A dull knife presses the layers together.
- Cut the Brie while it's cold - Brie straight from the fridge is firm, so trimming the rind and cutting even pieces is much easier than when it softens on the counter.
- Go easy on the jam - About ¾ teaspoon per bite is plenty. Overfilled cups bubble over and stick to the pan.
Gwen's Pro Tip
Keep the puff pastry cold. Cold pastry is what gives these bites their flaky lift. If it starts to feel soft or sticky while you're cutting and shaping, slide it back into the fridge for a few minutes before you keep going. Warm pastry bakes up flat and greasy instead of puffed.
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites FAQ's
Yes. Assemble them in the muffin pan up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When you're ready, bake them straight from the fridge until the pastry is golden and the Brie is melty..
Yes. I originally developed this recipe with gluten-free puff pastry, and it bakes up crisp and golden. Brie is naturally gluten-free, but check the labels on your pastry and jam if you're cooking for someone with celiac disease.
No. The rind is edible, and I tested these both ways with very little difference in the finished bite. I trim it off because I prefer it that way, but leaving it on saves a step.
Other Delicious Appetizers
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Thank you!
Gwen
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 ounces Brie cheese trim off the rind if you preferf
- 5-6 tablespoons cranberry jam any flavor
- 3 tablespoons walnuts toasted, crushed
- 2 sheets puff pastry regular or gluten-free
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Spray oil or a non-stick spray on a 24 mini-muffin pan, or brush it with melted butter.
- Cut the puff pastry into 2-inch squares. Arrange the squares into each hole of the muffin tin, pressing down gently.2 sheets puff pastry
- Cut small pieces of brie, about 2 teaspoons each and add them on top of the puff pastry.6 ounces Brie cheese
- Top with the jam and some crushed walnuts. Top with some rosemary.5-6 tablespoons cranberry jam, 3 tablespoons walnuts, 1 fresh rosemary sprig
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden and cooked through.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan.
Gwen says
You will love this recipe!