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Cranberry and Brie Bites: Savory Holiday Appetizer Recipe

These Cranberry Brie Bites are a simple appetizer or party snack that always get polished off in minutes!
They’re super easy to make, need only five ingredients and can be ready in 21 minutes — my kind of recipe.

“These were so easy and so good! Everyone asked for the recipe. Will definitely be a go to every Thanksgiving/Christmas.”

– Amanda

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A hand picks up a Cranberry and Brie Bite topped with melted brie, cranberry sauce and fresh thyme. Further cranberry brie bites are on a slate serving board underneath.

Nicky’s Notes

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At Christmas I’m always on the lookout for quick, crowd-pleasing snacks. Mini bites are my weakness — I love anything small and shareable, and these Cranberry Brie Bites tick all the boxes.

They keep coming back on my party menu because:

  • They use just five ingredients and take hardly any time to prepare.
  • The bright cranberry and sprigs of thyme make them look festive.
  • They’re irresistibly moreish — people always manage another one even if they say they’re full.

Table of Contents

  • Nicky’s Notes
  • 📋 Ingredients for Cranberry Brie Bites
  • Abbreviated Recipe
  • Recipe Tips
  • Make ahead guide
  • 📺 Watch how to make it
  • Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
  • More Amazing Party Foods

📋 Ingredients for Cranberry Brie Bites

Labelled ingredients for cranberry brie bites, including an egg, a jar of cranberry sauce, a wedge of brie, puff pastry, and fresh thyme on a wooden surface.

Abbreviated Recipe

Full recipe with detailed steps is in the recipe card below.

Brush a sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry with egg wash, cut into about 40 small rectangles, then stack them in pairs to make 20 doubled squares. Bake until golden, top each with a small slice of Brie and return to the oven until the cheese just melts. Finish with a spoonful of cranberry sauce and a tiny thyme leaf.

Small puff pastry squares topped with melted brie, cranberry sauce, and fresh thyme, arranged on a dark slate serving board.

They’re simple to assemble and always the first things to disappear from a party platter. Keep the main ingredients handy and you’ll be ready for unexpected guests in no time.

Recipe Tips

  • Cut the pastry into individual squares first, then place one square on top of another to form the doubled pieces. If you double up before cutting, the layers can seal at the edges and prevent a good rise.
  • Apply a light, even egg wash. Too much can make the top layer slippery and may cause it to separate during baking.
Overhead image of squares of puff pastry topped with melted brie cheese, cranberry sauce, and fresh thyme arranged on a dark slate board in rows.

Make ahead guide

I don’t recommend making these completely ahead of time — the Brie is best melted and served straight from the oven. You can prepare elements in advance so finishing them only takes a few minutes.

  • Pre-bake the doubled pastry squares, cool them, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Slice the Brie and keep it chilled.
  • To serve, place the pre-baked pastry on a tray, top with Brie and heat at 200C/400F (fan) for 2–3 minutes until the cheese softens and the pastry warms through.
  • Add the cranberry sauce and thyme just before serving for the best texture and freshness.

📺 Watch how to make it

Close up of a square puff pastry topped with melted brie cheese and cranberry sauce, garnished with fresh thyme, sitting on a dark slate serving board.
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4.77 from 13 votes

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Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

By Nicky Corbishley
These easy cranberry Brie bites are a quick, elegant party snack that always disappears fast.
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
11 mins
Total Time:
21 mins
Servings: 20 Bites
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: British, French

Ingredients

  • 400 g (14 oz) ready-rolled puff pastry
  • 1 egg, lightly whisked
  • 150 g (5.3 oz) Brie
  • 6 tbsp cranberry sauce
  • Fresh thyme leaves, to decorate

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200C/400F (fan) and line a baking tray with parchment or a silicone liner.
  • Unroll the pastry and brush lightly with the whisked egg. Cut the pastry into approximately 40 small rectangles.
  • Place one rectangle on top of another to create about 20 doubled-up rectangles of pastry.
  • Arrange the doubled pieces on the prepared tray and bake for 10 minutes until puffed and golden. Remove from the oven.
  • Slice the Brie into small pieces and place a piece on each pastry puff. Return to the oven for 1–2 minutes until the Brie just melts.
  • Top each puff with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce and a few thyme leaves, then serve immediately.

Notes

Should I remove the Brie rind?

No. The rind is edible and helps the Brie hold shape when heated.

Nutrition info is per Cranberry Brie Bite (approximate).

Nutrition

Calories: 145 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 15 mg | Sodium: 101 mg | Sugar: 1 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

This post was originally published in Dec 2015 and later updated with a video and minor housekeeping edits.

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Some links in this post may be affiliate links — if you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Nutrition facts are approximate.