The Cranberry Brie Bites are a snack that immediately elevates the atmosphere of any gathering to a more exceptional level. The puff pastry on the surface is flaky, the brie cheese on the interior is gooey, and a sweet-tart cranberry sauce is drizzled on top. These small morsels of ecstasy are everything you could get. These nibbles are always a favorite, whether they are served during the holidays, at a casual get-together with friends, or simply as a nice snack at home. They are simple to prepare, they look stunning on the table, and they have an incredible flavor.
🍒 Cranberry Brie Bites Tips & Tricks
Pre-cut the brie while cold – Brie is much easier to cut when chilled straight from the fridge. If it’s room temperature, it will stick to your knife.
Don’t overfill the cups – A little brie and cranberry go a long way. If you overfill, the cheese will bubble over and make the bites messy.
Line with parchment or lightly grease the pan – Puff pastry can stick to muffin tins; a quick spray of cooking oil or parchment makes removing them effortless.
Use mini muffin tins for the best shape – This keeps the bites uniform and prevents the pastry from spreading too flat.
Add some chopped rosemary, pecans, or even pomegranate seeds right before serving to make them look and taste festive.
Brie tastes best when it’s a little gooey, so serve it warm. If you make it ahead of time, don’t microwave it; instead, heat it up in the oven for a short time before serving.
Mix up the flavors. If you want to change things up from the classic cranberry pairing, try other jams like apricot, fig, or raspberry.
Before baking, keep the pastry cold. The Puff pastry gets sticky & hard to work with when it’s warm. To make it puff up in the oven, keep it cold.
Make small batches. If you’re making a lot, only fill one or two trays at a time so the pastry doesn’t sit out for too long.
Use a serrated knife to make clean cuts. A serrated knife works better than a straight knife when cutting the brie wheel because it doesn’t squish the cheese.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet.
- In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and cook until softened and lightly golden, 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, lemon juice, and thyme to make the glaze. Set aside.
- Place one cube of brie into each phyllo cup. Top with about 1 teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
- Spoon a small pinch of the caramelized shallot on top of the cranberry. Sprinkle a few toasted walnut pieces and a tiny pinch of thyme over each.
- Bake on the prepared sheet for 10–12 minutes or until the phyllo is golden and the brie is soft and melty. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from oven and immediately brush each bite lightly with the maple-thyme glaze. Finish with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt and a small thyme leaf. Serve warm
Video
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions — Cranberry Brie Bites
1) Can I assemble Cranberry Brie Bites ahead of time, and how should I store them before baking?
Yes — you can assemble the bites up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered (sealed) in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Just before baking, bring them slightly toward room temperature (15–20 minutes) so the pastry doesn’t shock from cold to hot. The original recipe also states that assembled but unbaked bites can be refrigerated up to 24 hours.
2) How long do these Cranberry Brie Bites keep after baking, and how should I reheat them?
Once baked, the bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1–2 days. To reheat, use a preheated oven at 350 °F (≈175 °C) for about 5–8 minutes — this revives the pastry’s crispness without melting everything beyond recognition. Avoid microwaving, as it makes the pastry soggy.
3) What good substitutions are there for cranberry sauce or brie if I don’t have them?
Cranberry alternatives: red currant jelly, fig jam, apricot or cherry preserves, pear chutney, or even lightly sautéed cranberries with a bit of orange zest.
Cheese substitutions: Camembert, mild goat cheese, or a soft cream cheese blended with herbs. Keep in mind: different cheeses melt differently (goat cheese melts less, camembert melts more runny), and flavors will shift accordingly. The original recipe touches on these swaps.
4) Are there vegan or gluten-free options for this Cranberry Brie Bites recipe?
Yes. For gluten-free, use gluten-free puff pastry or gluten-free phyllo cups, recognizing texture might differ slightly. For vegan/dairy-free, use vegan puff pastry and a plant-based soft “brie” (cashew-based or almond-based) that melts well. The original FAQ mentions vegan puff pastry and vegan soft cheese as substitutes.
5) Why do the bottoms sometimes become soggy, and how can I prevent that?
Bottom sogginess can come from moisture trapped under the filling or a lack of air circulation beneath the pastry. Here are fixes:
As a trick, you can put a thin cracker, a small broken phyllo square, or a touch of breadcrumbs under the brie to act as a barrier and absorb excess moisture. The original recipe suggests some of these tactics.
Use parchment liners or well-greased mini muffin tins to help with airflow.
Start baking at a hot enough temperature (375–400 °F / 190–200 °C) so the pastry quickly sets and crisps.
Let them cool briefly on a wire rack once baked to prevent steam from condensing under the bites.
6) How many Cranberry Brie Bites should I plan per guest, and what beverage pairings work well?
As an appetizer or cocktail bite, plan 2–3 bites per person; if it’s a main appetizer, consider 4–5 per person. For pairing:
Crisp white wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
They also go well with lightly spiced red wine or a dry rosé. The recipe’s FAQ suggests similar pairing ideas.
Sparkling wine (Prosecco, Cava)
Dry Riesling
Sparkling cider or apple cider
7) How do I choose the right brie and cranberry for the best flavor balance?
Brie: Go for a milder brie if you want balanced bites, or a triple cream brie for a rich, decadent melt. The stronger ones melt more, so they’ll ooze more, which may influence how full you fill each cup. The original notes this.
Cranberry sauce: Fresh, tart cranberry sauce (with slight sweetening) gives a bright contrast. If using store-bought, pick a high-quality, less-syrupy version. You can also enhance it with orange zest or a drop of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. The recipe offers guidance on choosing both.
8) Can I scale this Cranberry Brie Bites recipe up or down easily?
Yes — the recipe is modular. Each bite uses one small brie cube + ~1 tsp cranberry + small amounts of shallot, nuts, and glaze. To scale up or down:
- Keep all the ratios consistent (cheese: fruit: nuts).
- Use appropriately sized baking sheets or trays (multiple trays if needed).
- Watch baking time — larger batches may require slight adjustments (rotate trays, etc.).
- If scaling down for fewer bites, it’s okay to bake a little longer if pastry edges are still pale — but monitor closely so you don’t burn.
Explore our fall recipe collection for comforting, crave-worthy dishes.
Printable Recipe Card
Want just the essential recipe details without scrolling through the article? Get our printable recipe card with just the ingredients and instructions.
