Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect Holiday Appetizer. Packed with flavor and truly just a bite to throw into your mouth. It's a fun and easy recipe served during the Holidays but can truly be enjoyed year round. Cranberry Brie Bites made with Puff Pastry and Fresh Cranberry Sauce will be the hit of your gathering.
There’s a reason why this recipe is made over and over. It’s because it’s just that good!
12 Servings | Ready in 15 Minutes | Updated Nov 2020
When I’m making appetizers it’s good to remember you will want a variety of appetizers to eat for you and your guests. Plan on 3-4 different appetizers for a group of 8-10 people.
Don’t worry! We are here to help you with your menu. Cranberry Brie Bites are made quick and easily and can be made with canned Cranberry Sauce OR a homemade Cranberry which I highly recommend.
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Don't be fooled. Making Homemade Cranberry Sauce is so quick and easy and worth the effort. Check out this Fresh Cranberry Sauce made in the Instant Pot. It can of course be made on the stove too. It’s wonderful! We love using fresh Cranberry Sauce if possible but you can still use a canned cranberry sauce if needed.
Ingredient Roll Call for Brie and Cranberry Bites
Each ingredient plays a delicious role in making this party appetizer shine:
- Puff Pastry – Light, airy layers that bake into golden, flaky perfection. Find it in the freezer section near the pie crusts.
- Brie Cheese – Soft and creamy with a mild buttery flavor that melts beautifully into the pastry.
- Fresh Cranberry Sauce – Adds a sweet-tart contrast to the creamy brie. Try my homemade recipe for the best flavor.
- Rosemary Sprigs – A pop of color and herby aroma that elevates presentation and taste.
The Must-Haves
You won’t need much to make these brie bites, but a few essentials make all the difference:
- Mini Muffin Tin – Perfectly shapes each puff pastry bite.
- Sharp Knife or Pizza Cutter – For cutting the puff pastry into even squares.
- Non-Stick Spray – Helps the pastry pop right out of the pan.
- Small Spoon or Scoop – Makes adding the cranberry sauce easy and mess-free.
Let's Make It! Brie Cranberry Bites
Brie cheese can be purchased in a small circle. You can then cut this cheese into perfect small squares that fit perfectly into a mini muffin pan needed for this Cranberry Brie Bite recipe.
If you are not familiar with Brie cheese, it’s a stronger cheese flavor. To get the best balance of cheese to cranberry, make sure to have smaller cubes.
Cutting off the Rind isn't necessary. But it can be a personal preference. The rind is edible and for this recipe I choose to leave the rind on. You might enjoy cutting the rind off if eating Brie Cheese by itself.
Puff Pastry
Have you ever worked with Puff Pastry before? It’s a fun pastry product found in the freezer section.
Make sure to allow the pastry to thaw before trying to unroll, or it will crack. Placing the Puff Pastry in the refrigerator over night will solve this problem.
Watch for a quick Tasty Cranberry Brie Bites Video
Kitchen Secrets / Cooking Clues
Here’s the inside scoop from my kitchen to yours:
Let your puff pastry thaw just enough to unfold without cracking — about 30–40 minutes on the counter works perfectly. Cold pastry puffs better, so don’t let it get too warm.
When cutting the brie, you can leave the rind on — it’s edible and softens as it bakes. If you prefer a smoother melt, remove the top rind before baking.
Make your cranberry sauce ahead of time! It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to a week, making this appetizer even faster to prep.
Cranberry Brie Bites are that easy to make. You can WOW your guests with amazing Appetizer Recipes without spending much time at all in the kitchen.
Also try Maple Bacon Onion Appetizers on a Baguette or Mushroom Onion Bites in Phyllo Shells. Both are wonderful recipes that take minutes to make.
Never go empty handed again to a party.
When a recipe is duplicated over and over, you know it’s good. I think that Cranberry Brie Bites are a mature flavor with how strong Brie Cheese can be. The sweet tart cranberry sauce gives a delicious balance of flavors.
Flavor Fixes / Swap It Out
If cranberries aren’t your thing, swap in raspberry preserves, fig jam, or even apricot spread for a different spin on the classic brie bite.
For a savory version, try a small piece of cooked bacon or a dollop of caramelized onions. These flavor swaps keep things fun and unexpected — perfect for a party platter.
Adding chopped pecans or pistachios can also be a fun flavor add too
Fridge & Freezer Magic
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to bring back the flaky texture.
Want to make them ahead? Assemble the bites and freeze before baking. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
How Many Appetizers do I need?
- Serve 3 Appetizer Recipes when hosting 8-10 people
- Serve 4-5 Appetizer Recipes when Hosting 14-16 People
- Serve 6 Appetizer Recipes when hosting larger groups of 20+
Kitchen FAQ's
Absolutely! Homemade sauce gives more flavor, but store-bought works just fine when you’re short on time.
Nope! It’s totally edible. You can trim it if you prefer a smoother texture, but it melts right into the cheese when baked.
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate up to a day ahead. Bake fresh before serving for the best texture.
Your Next Favorite Recipe
- French Onion Meatballs
- Easy Cheese Fondue
- White Cheddar Cheese Ball
- Pineapple Cheese Ball
- Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Appetizer
- Honey Teriyaki Chicken Wings
- Mac and Cheese Bites
- Honey Balsamic Steak Bites
- Tater Tot Kabobs
- Cowboy Dipping Sauce
Brie Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Sheet Puff Pastry
- 1 8 oz wheel Brie Cheese
- ¾ cup Fresh Cranberry Sauce
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees
- Spray Mini Muffin Tin
- Unfold Puff Pastry and cut pastry sheet into 24 squares (4 rows by 6 rows) using a knife or pizza cutter.
- Place a square of Puff Pastry in each muffin tin and gently tuck down in
- Cut Brie Wheel into small cubes
- Place 1 teaspoon of Fresh Cranberry Sauce on top of cheese and garnish with Rosemary
- Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown
- Remove from oven and remove from pan to cool.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Cranberry Sauce:
Fresh Homemade Cranberry Sauce is always best and this recipe from Cooking with Karli is wonderful. You can also use Whole Cranberry Sauce in a can.How Many Appetizers do I need?
- Serve 3 Appetizer Recipes when hosting 8-10 people
- Serve 4-5 Appetizer Recipes when Hosting 14-16 People
- Serve 6 Appetizer Recipes when hosting larger groups of 20+
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Devon
Can these be frozen and reheated
Devour Dinner
Puff pastry is frozen when you purchase it. I've never tried to refreeze it after thawing it.
Sigrid Howe
I made these for our large family gathering last Thanksgiving. they were a hit and all got gobbled up. Love the tang of the cranberries with the smoothness of the Brie.
Pam
Can I make these a few hours ahead and reheat them?
Devour Dinner
Hi Pam, you can put these together earlier and then bake them so they are hot and fresh. Just make sure to cover them and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
Becky
Can these be reheated though?
Devour Dinner
Hi Becky, These can be reheated and enjoyed, however they will be best fresh.