Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe | Sweet, Savory Holiday Appetizer
I just made these Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe and I can’t wait to tell you how dreamy they turned out. As soon as the warm, gooey cheese met the tangy cranberry, I knew I had a new favorite appetizer. They disappeared so fast at my gathering, I barely had time to taste them all.
They’re simple, elegant, and fast — perfect for holiday parties or casual get-togethers. You can also enjoy similar festive treats like this Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread Recipe if you’re planning a holiday spread. Let me walk you through how I made them (and how you can, too).
Ingredients
Here’s what I used (and tips I picked up along the way):
- 1 (7-oz) round of Brie, rind removed — Removing the rind helps the interior melt smoothly without the chewy outer skin interfering.
- 24 mini phyllo pastry shells (frozen, from two 1.9-oz packages) — The ready-made shells save time and give a crisp, flaky base.
- ½ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (from a 14-oz can) — I prefer whole-berry for its texture and bursts of flavor.
- ⅓ cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped (about 1½ oz) — These add a nutty crunch and a festive color contrast.
Note: serves 12
Pro Tips:
- Use a quality, creamy Brie — avoid ultra-firm or very aged cheese for melting.
- Do not use frozen cranberry sauce or homemade cranberry jam as substitutes — the canned whole-berry gives a consistent texture and sweetness.
- Chop your nuts just before sprinkling, so they stay crunchy and vibrant.
Variations
To suit different dietary needs or flavor preferences, try these swaps or add-ons:
- Dairy-free: Use a plant-based “brie” or cashew cheese alternative in place of Brie.
- Sugar-free: Use a no-sugar or reduced sugar cranberry compote (or unsweetened berry preserve) instead of regular cranberry sauce.
- Nut-free: Swap pistachios with toasted pumpkin seeds or leave nuts off entirely.
- Flavor enhancers: Add a sprinkle of fresh thyme, a pinch of orange zest, or drizzle with honey or balsamic reduction for extra depth.
- Alternative pastry: Use mini puff pastry cups or small, crisp bread rounds (crostini) instead of phyllo shells.
You might also love making Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe for another cranberry-inspired appetizer idea that pairs beautifully with these bites.
Cooking Time
Here’s a quick time breakdown:
- Prep Time: ~15 minutes (cutting Brie, arranging shells, topping)
- Cooking Time: ~6 minutes (until cheese is melted and bubbly)
- Total Time: ~20 minutes
Equipment You Need
- Rimmed baking sheet — to hold all the filled shells and catch any drips
- Oven — to bake and melt the Brie
- Small knife — to slice the Brie into small pieces
- Small bowl — for mixing or holding chopped nuts
- Spoon or small scoop — for dolloping cranberry sauce
How to Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe?
Prepare the Oven and Shells
Preheat your oven to 400 °F (about 200 °C). While it warms, spread the mini phyllo pastry shells out on the rimmed baking sheet in a single layer, giving each shell some breathing room.
Assemble the Bites
Slice the Brie round into 24 little chunks. Place one piece of Brie into each phyllo shell. Then spoon about one teaspoon of cranberry sauce atop each Brie piece. Finally, sprinkle chopped pistachios over each bite.
Bake and Serve Immediately
Slide the tray into the hot oven and bake just until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly (about 6 minutes). Once done, serve them right away to keep the shells crisp and the centers gooey.
Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better
From my own experience, here are some tweaks that helped me improve this recipe:
- Don’t overfill your bites — I found that too much cranberry causes spillover during baking.
- Use roasted, salted nuts — they deepen the flavor; raw nuts tasted flat in my tests.
- Hold off baking until guests arrive — if they sit too long, the pastry loses crispness.
- Warm the Brie a little before slicing — slightly softer cheese is easier to cut evenly.
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe?
These bites are gorgeous served on a wooden board or pretty platter. Arrange them in a circular or staggered pattern, and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs or a few extra whole pistachios for color.
Offer toothpicks so guests can pop them without mess. Pair these with a cheese board, crackers, or sliced baguette, and a light drink like sparkling wine or cranberry mocktail.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a rough estimate per bite:
- Calories: ~70–90
- Protein: ~2 g
- Carbohydrates: ~4–6 g
- Fat: ~5–7 g
Make Ahead and Storage
Assembled but baked later
You can assemble the bites in advance (fill the shells, top with Brie, cranberry, nuts) and refrigerate for up to one day. When ready, bake them straight from the fridge, adding a minute or two if needed.
Freezing
These bites freeze well for about three months when wrapped tightly. You can bake them directly from frozen — just allow extra time in the oven.
Reheating / Restoring crispness
If stored in the fridge, let them come closer to room temperature, then reheat in a 350 °F (175 °C) oven for a few minutes to restore crisp edges and melted centers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Here are some reasons this one stands out:
- So quick to make — From start to finish, it takes only about 20 minutes.
- Minimal, accessible ingredients — Just four main components, easy to source.
- Beautiful balance of flavors — The creamy Brie, tart cranberry, and crunchy nuts create a perfect trio.
- Customizable — You can adapt it for dietary restrictions or flavor preferences.
- Impressive presentation — These look elegant and festive, yet are simple to pull off.
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F (about 200 °C). While it warms, spread the mini phyllo pastry shells out on the rimmed baking sheet in a single layer, giving each shell some breathing room.
- Slice the Brie round into 24 little chunks. Place one piece of Brie into each phyllo shell. Then spoon about one teaspoon of cranberry sauce atop each Brie piece. Finally, sprinkle chopped pistachios over each bite.
- Slide the tray into the hot oven and bake just until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly (about 6 minutes). Once done, serve them right away to keep the shells crisp and the centers gooey.
Notes
- Don’t overfill your bites — I found that too much cranberry causes spillover during baking.
- Use roasted, salted nuts — they deepen the flavor; raw nuts tasted flat in my tests.
- Hold off baking until guests arrive — if they sit too long, the pastry loses crispness.
- Warm the Brie a little before slicing — slightly softer cheese is easier to cut evenly.
