Easy Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe: Best Holiday Appetizer
Flaky, golden cups of pastry filled with warm melted brie and a pop of tart cranberry, finished with a touch of orange zest and flaky sea salt. These quick and easy bites are the perfect crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (Pillsbury Original recommended)
- 4 oz brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 24 small cubes (about 1/2-inch each)
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (freshly grated)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (e.g., Maldon)
- Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin generously with non-stick cooking spray.
- Trim the white rind off the brie and cut into 24 small cubes, about 1/2-inch each. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce and orange zest until evenly mixed.
- Unroll the crescent dough on a clean cutting board. Press the perforated seams together to form a single rectangle. Cut into 24 equal squares (4 rows lengthwise, 6 rows crosswise).
- Press one square of dough into each mini muffin cup. Place one cube of brie in the center of each. Top with about 1 teaspoon of the cranberry-orange mixture.
- Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over each bite.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges of the dough are golden brown and the brie is bubbly.
- Let cool in the pan for 3-4 minutes. Use a small spoon or offset spatula to gently lift each bite out of the pan. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
For best results, serve within 15 minutes of baking. If brie leaks during baking, let cool longer in pan and spoon escaped cheese back on top. To make ahead, assemble up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving. For gluten-free, use gluten-free crescent dough; for dairy-free, use a soft vegan cheese alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cranberry brie bites, holiday appetizer, easy appetizer, brie recipe, cranberry recipe, crescent roll appetizer