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Made in 30 minutes, with just 10 minutes of hands-on time, Brie Puff Pastry Bites bring warmth and elegance to your holiday gatherings. Each bite-size appetizer offers a mouthwatering blend of creamy brie, sweet fruit preserves, and the gentle crunch of toasted nuts, all cradled in a crisp puff pastry shell.
Their convenient make-ahead option adds to their allure. Whether you’re planning in advance or pulling things together last-minute, these bites help you spend less time in the kitchen and more celebrating with your loved ones.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Brie Puff Pastry Bites
- Spray Oil: Opt for a neutral-flavored oil that won’t overpower the delicate flavors of the other ingredients.
- Sheet Puff Pastry: Be sure to keep it cold before use. A thawed sheet should still be firm to the touch.
- Brie Cheese: Choose a wheel that is soft but not overly runny. A firmer brie will melt perfectly in the oven without becoming too liquid.
- Cherry Preserves: Choose preserves with fruit as the primary ingredient for a natural taste. A slight texture, with small fruit pieces, enhances the bite.
- Toasted Walnuts: When choosing walnuts, be sure they have a fresh, nutty scent. Stale or rancid nuts will have an off smell. Toasting should enhance their natural flavor, not mask it.
- Fresh Thyme: The leaves should be vibrant green, without any dark or dried-out patches. For the best flavor, pick thyme that’s fragrant when you rub a leaf between your fingers.
Recipe Options
- Swap cherry preserves for apricot or raspberry for a different flavor twist.
- Instead of walnuts, try toasted pecans, almonds or hazelnuts.
- Fresh rosemary can replace fresh thyme for an earthier undertone.
- Camembert is a close alternative to brie but has a more robust flavor.
- For a savory spin, consider adding a pinch of black pepper to the preserves.
- Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the bites just before serving to add a burst of texture, contrast the sweetness of the preserves and enhance the richness of the cheese.
Easy Make-Ahead Option
Skip the last-minute hustle! These gourmet appetizers can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to be in the moment when your guests arrive. Here’s how:
- Bake & Cool: Prepare the bites as per the recipe and let them cool completely.
- Freeze Individually: Place the cooled bites on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze.
- Store Properly: Once frozen solid, transfer the bites to a freezer-safe container. Use wax or parchment paper between layers to prevent any sticking.
- Serve with Ease: When ready to serve, lay the frozen bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until they’re warmed through and ready to impress! (See note below and recipe card for specific instructions.)
The Two-Step Baking Difference
One thing that makes these Brie Puff Pastry Bites truly stand out is the two-step baking process. First, you’ll bake the pastry squares in mini muffin tins to set their shape. After this initial baking, you’ll gently press down the centers and add the brie and cherry preserves. A second round of baking ensures the brie melts perfectly, and the pastry achieves a golden finish. This method ensures both texture and flavor are delectable in every bite.
How to Store and Reheat
Store any leftover bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy again, reheat in a 400℉ oven for 3-5 minutes or until hot.
If freezing, lay the bites on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax or parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated directly from frozen following the same oven instructions.
More Great Appetizers / Party Food Ideas
- Homemade Champagne Gummy Bears
- Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings
- Easy Pork Belly Sliders
- Bacon Wrapped Dates
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Spicy Deviled Eggs
How to Make Brie Puff Pastry Bites
On a floured surface, roll out a thawed puff pastry sheet into a 10 x 15-inch rectangle, then cut into 24 squares. Press each square into a greased muffin tin to form cups and bake in an oven preheated to 400˚F for 10 minutes. After removing from the oven, press the center of each cup down to make room for the filling.
Add a cube of brie and a teaspoon of cherry preserves, and bake for another 10 minutes. Once done, top with walnuts and thyme leaves, let cool slightly, and serve on a platter.
Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Video
Equipment
- mini muffin pan
Ingredients
- spray oil or butter for greasing muffin pan
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 6 ounces brie cheese cut into 24 equal cubes, ~1/4 ounce each (recipe note #1)
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves or other fruit preserves
- 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts or finely chopped toasted pecans (recipe note #2)
- fresh thyme leaves or finely chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan (or 2, 12-cup mini muffin pans).
- Unfold thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll pastry into an even 10 x 15-inch rectangle. With a sharp knife or pizza wheel, cut into 24, 2 1/2-inch squares (Rectangle should be 4 squares wide and 6 squares long).
- Press pastry squares into greased mini muffin tin so that the squares form even cups for filling. Bake 10 minutes.
- Remove partially baked pastry from oven and press center of each pastry cup down gently with the handle end of a wooden spoon. Place once cube of brie and a teaspoon of cherry preserves into each cup. Return to oven and bake 10 minutes more. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly over cups and top each with several thyme leaves. Transfer bites to platter and serve.
Notes
- Freeze brie for 15-20 minutes for easier slicing. Take care not to overfill pastry cups or cheese will bubble over.
- Buy pre-toasted nuts or buy raw nuts and toast them yourself. Toast raw walnuts on a parchment lined baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350˚F for 7-10 minutes, checking often. Toast raw pecans the same way, but you may need to reduce the baking time: 6-8 minutes.
- Recipe can be easily doubled to make 48 bites for larger gatherings.
- To make up to 3 months ahead, bake bites as directed. Once cool, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Transfer to freezer safe container, separating layers with wax or parchment paper. Reheat from frozen on a parchment lined baking sheet in an oven preheated to 400˚F for 4 to 5 minutes until hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh, you hit all of the flavors and textures here! From the buttery puff pastry to the creamy brie cheese, I know these little bites would not last long around here!
haha…they never do!
Delicious! Fun fact: I also have prepared a brie bites recently, and I was considering to post the recipe today 🙂 I love the combination of cherry preserves and walnuts.