Sweet and Savory Baked Brie Bites
Sweet and savory baked brie cheese is the star of every party! This recipe makes 1 big set of sweet and savory baked brie bites. Or, you can use the 2nd sheet of puff pastry to make a super easy baked brie galette! Mix and match, and have fun with this! The cool part, is that you can make it ahead of time, and bake for the party, or you can grab these ingredients and make it when you get home! So easy!
Tips on baking puff pastry:
1. Thawing: If using frozen puff pastry, follow the instructions on the package for thawing. Generally, it should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before use.
2. Preheating: Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended in the recipe. Puff pastry requires a high oven temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C), to achieve optimal puffiness.
3. Rolling: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry gently and evenly to the desired thickness. Use a rolling pin to maintain an even thickness and prevent uneven rising during baking.
4. Chilling: Once rolled out, it’s a good idea to chill the pastry in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before baking. This helps the layers firm up and ensures a flakier texture.
5. Docking: Docking refers to pricking the pastry with a fork or a special docking tool to create small holes in the dough. This helps prevent the pastry from rising too much during baking. This is used for larger tarts that you want the center to remain low and the sides to puff up, like our tomato tart.
6. Egg wash: For a beautiful golden finish, brush the surface of the pastry with an egg wash (beaten egg or egg mixed with a little water). This also helps the layers stick together and enhances the puffing process.
7. Parchment paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking and to facilitate easy removal from the pan. We do this every time, and it works like a charm! Keeps any thing that spills from baking onto your pan.
8. Baking time: Follow the recipe instructions for baking time, but keep a close eye on the pastry as it bakes. Puff pastry can go from golden brown to burnt quickly, so be vigilant and check for doneness regularly.
9. Avoid opening the oven door: While the pastry is baking, avoid opening the oven door too often. Sudden changes in temperature can interfere with the puffing process. This is a hard one to learn, but makes a HUGE difference in your end results.
10. Cooling: Once baked, transfer the puff pastry to a wire rack to cool. Allowing it to cool slightly before serving will help the layers set and maintain their structure.
Only 6 ingredients (plus sea salt!) are needed to make Sweet & Savory Baked Brie!
Steps to make this appetizer as mini bites:
Use the rest of puff pastry to make a baked brie galette!
What should I serve with my baked brie appetizer?
- Fresh fruit: sliced apples or pears, pomegranate, grapes, raspberries
- Dried fruit: dried apricots, cherries, mangos or pineapple
- Crunchy veggies: celery, carrot sticks, pepper slices, cauliflower
- Mixed olives
- Honey or fruit jams
- Mixed nuts, like almonds, walnuts, pistachios or pecans
- Crispy bread, pita chips, or bagel pieces
- Your favorite charcuterie meats
You may also like these other appetizers!
Baked Brie with Pear, Fig and Toasted Almonds
Sweet and Salty Mini Pecan Tarts
Equipment
- sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Ingredients for Brie Bites or Brie galette:
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed
- 8 oz. brie we use Double Cream Truffle Brie from Trader Joes
- 6 oz. prosciutto about 9 slices.
- 11 oz. pepper jelly we use Trader Joes
- 1 egg
- 1 spring rosemary find in produce section
- 1/4 teaspoon salt Sea Salt
Instructions
Instructions for prepping the puff pastry, brie and prosciutto:
- Place parchment paper on 2 sheet pans, if making just the bites. If making the pizza, use a small round pan, and place parchment in. We used a shallow baking dish.
- Unwrap brie, and using a knife, scrape off some of the white rind. Cube brie into 24 pieces. Set brie in fridge, while preparing the puff pastry.8 oz. brie
- Unwrap the sheets of puff pastry. Cover one with a towel, while working with the other. Using a rolling pin, gently roll to remove the creases, forming a slight rectangle. Using a sharp knife, or pizza cutter, slice up middle long way, and then slice again on either side forming 4 sections. Now slice in same fashion across to form 16 pieces.2 sheets puff pastry
- Remove prosciutto from package, and peel off the layers of paper. With sharp knife, slice across to form small pieces. You will need a total of 32 pieces if you are making both puff pastries into the bite size.6 oz. prosciutto
Instructions for making the Brie Bites:
- Lay a piece of prosciutto on each square of puff pastry, forming a bit of a small pile. Spoon a small teaspoon of pepper jelly over the prosciutto on each square. Now, pull the brie out of the fridge, and add a piece onto each of the squares.2 sheets puff pastry, 8 oz. brie, 11 oz. pepper jelly, 6 oz. prosciutto
- At this point, you are ready to pull up 2 of the corners, and pinch them to form a little package. Whisk egg in a bowl, and add a few drops of water to thin. Us the egg wash to dab onto the corners of the pastry and pull together and pinch shut. Do this for all 16 of the squares. Place in fridge. Repeat with 2nd sheet of puff pastry. Save the egg wash for brushing on before you bake.1 egg
Instructions for making a Brie galette:
- Place puff pastry onto parchment in a low round shallow pan. You can also do this on a sheet pan. Sprinkle the puff pastry with the rest of the prosciutto forming piles. Add brie, then drizzle with jelly. Start to fold in the outside of the pastry to form a galette. Place in fridge till ready to bake.2 sheets puff pastry, 8 oz. brie, 6 oz. prosciutto, 11 oz. pepper jelly
- Whisk egg in bowl and thin with a bit of water.1 egg
Instructions for baking brie bites and galette:
- Pre-heat oven to 400 F, while pastry chills in refrigerator. If you are making this same day, we chill pastry in freezer for 10 minutes. Using a pastry brush, brush some of the egg wash over the puff pastry on the bites and galette. Sprinkle with a bit of sea salt.1 egg, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Bake pastry for 12-15 minutes, turning half way. Look for a slight puff and golden brown. Remove pastry and sprinkle rosemary over top. Serve warm.1 spring rosemary
Nutrition
Want more appetizer ideas?
https://www.theperksofbeingus.com/perfect-party-appetizer-and-cocktail-pairings-guide/
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Justin
So much easier to enjoy vs. bruschetta and brie on the side!
Emily
These little bites were divine! Everyone loved these appetizers at our Christmas party. I took your suggestion and made a galette, oh my goodness. Perfect for entertaining!
Holly
I made these for a party I hosted last weekend and they were gone before I even got one. I guess they were good 😂
Gianne
The creamy brie cheese melts in your mouth, while the crispy pastry adds the perfect texture. I could easily devour a dozen of these heavenly bites in one sitting!