Baked Brie Bites
Looking for a handheld appetizer to make and serve for any occasion? These Baked Brie Bites, featuring gooey brie cheese and caramelized onions, are a nod to classic French Onion Soup flavors… all in a bite-sized package!
Baked Brie Bites
Baked brie is one of those entertaining staples we all know and love… and these baked brie bites are a fun twist on the classic. (Looking at this Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Cranberry Chutney as that classic holiday brie situation.)
If you’re on the hunt for a more traditional baked brie bite, which involves jam, brie and puff pastry, this recipe isn’t the one for you.
However, if you love French Onion vibes and flavors, you’re in for a treat because this bite-sized appetizer is a nod to the classic soup.
Why I love this recipe:
It’s hard NOT to love a baked brie bite recipe. It’s one of those cheesy appetizers that you keep coming back to… They’re perfect for holiday parties, but honestly, you can serve them for any occasion, and your party guests won’t be mad about it.
They’re an easy yet impressive appetizer that require a little effort, but nothing over-the-top or super time-consuming.
The creamy texture of the melted brie cheese paired with the flavorful caramelized onions, buttery puff pastry and fragrant fresh herbs is the BEST combination.
Here are some reasons I’m obsessed with them and why I think you’ll love them, too.
- All you need are a handful of simple ingredients to make them.
- These bites come together quickly. The part of this recipe that takes the most time is caramelizing the onions, and if you can do that in advance, you can have these beauties on the table in less than 45 minutes.
- You can make batches of ‘em.
- They’re great for parties because they are bite-sized. While they’re a little flaky, they are easy to eat.
So whether you plan to make these for a holiday party or just because they sound delicious, you’re in for a treat!
More easy appetizers to try: Baked Jalapeno Poppers | Cheese Ball | Whipped Feta Dip | Bacon Wrapped Dates | Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Nonstick skillet
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Nonstick cooking spray (I love 100% avocado oil spray)
- Mini muffin tins
- Sharp knife or pizza slicer
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Puff pastry – I purchase store-bought puff pastry from the freezer section of the grocery store, but you can make your own puff pastry if that’s something you’re into. You need just one puff pastry sheet.
- Wheel of brie cheese — use your favorite brand of this soft cheese! I grabbed a 7 oz. one from my local grocery store. It doesn’t have to be fancy because we’re slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Caramelized onions — these really up the flavor. I am obsessed.
- Fresh thyme leaves — spring for fresh if you can for the best flavor, but you can sub ½ teaspoon dried.
Variations and substitutions
I made a few variations of this recipe before landing on this French Onion-inspired one.
Here are some ways you can customize this recipe to your liking, if you’re not into the French onion situation:
- Take out the caramelized onions… and add jam. Use whatever you like: apricot jam, fig jam, strawberry jam and raspberry would be amazing. Use homemade cranberry sauce during the holiday season to make ’em cranberry brie bites and finish with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Add the jam first to where the brie can melt INTO it.
- Add a drizzle of honey once the bites are baked.
- Substitute the cheese. While I recommend using brie since this is an — ahem — baked brie bite recipe, you could use goat cheese if that’s your speed.
How to make Caramelized Onions
Cut the onions. I like to slice the onion in half, remove the papery skin, and then thinly slice it into half-rounds with a sharp knife. You could also use a mandoline slicer for this.
Melt the butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat on the stovetop.
Add the onion to the melted butter. Season with a healthy pinch of salt.
Cook the onion down. Use a wooden spoon to constantly move the onion around the skillet. Keep cooking this until it’s a deep golden brown color.
Pro tip!
This may take between 25-40 minutes, depending on your stovetop, as well as how comfortable you feel caramelizing an onion. You may lower the heat as the onion continues cooking down if you’re concerned that you might overcook it.
Once the onion is caramelized, remove from the skillet and let it cool slightly before using.
How to make Baked Brie Bites
Preheat the oven. Spray a mini muffin tin (preferably nonstick) with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
Prepare the puff pastry. Roll the thawed puff pastry into a 10” x 10” square. Slice with a sharp knife or pizza slicer into 24 even slices.
Slice the wheel of cheese into 24 bite-sized pieces, too.
Arrange the brie bites.
- Place pieces of the puff pastry into the wells of the prepared mini muffin tin. Spread them out.
- Sprinkle a few pieces of caramelized onions into the bottom of the puff pastry.
- Place the sliced brie on top of the caramelized onion.
- Add additional caramelized onion on top of the brie.
Bake the brie bites in the preheated oven until golden brown, gooey and delicious.
Remove from the oven, and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Sprinkle on the fresh thyme. Remove the brie bites from the pan.
Serve warm (or at room temperature) and enjoy!
How to store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer until crispy and warmed through.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
These bite-sized appetizers are perfect for entertaining, whether you’re hosting family for the holidays or friends for a dinner party. Truly, these are the BEST party appetizer that will take any gathering to the next level because they bring the flavor.
They’re also one of the easiest appetizers you can put together.
Here’s how I would make these brie bites for one of those occasions:
- Make the caramelized onions ahead of time. They keep in the fridge for up to a week.
- Mise en place everything. These brie bites are best when freshly baked, so defrost the puff pastry, as well as cut the wheel of brie in advance.
- Serve on a platter with mini tongs or let people grab them with their fingers. Don’t forget cocktail napkins and plates.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The rind is thin and OK to eat. You may leave it on for these brie bites.
Honestly, wrapped in a piece of puff pastry with caramelized onions and fresh thyme is one of my favorite ways! I particularly enjoy this recipe because it makes bite-sized appetizers.
You might’ve overbaked your brie if the texture is rubbery.
Quick tips and tricks to making the baked brie bites
- Thaw your puff pastry in the fridge in advance. You need it to be workable to roll it slightly and then cut it.
- Caramelize the onions early. They keep in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. Get these done early so you can simply sprinkle them on before baking the bites.
- How to store: If you have leftovers, store in an airtight storage container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat in the oven, toaster oven or even air fryer until warmed through and crispy on the exterior.
More bite-size appetizer recipes:
- Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
- Steak Bruschetta with French Onion Marmalade
- Avocado Deviled Eggs
- TRISCUIT Crackers Cucumber Bites
- Caprese Skewers
French Onion Baked Brie Bites
Ingredients
Caramelized Onions
- 1 large onion about ¾ lb.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Large pinch of kosher salt
Baked Brie Bites
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 7 oz. brie wheel
- 3 tablespoons caramelized onions
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
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Instructions
Make the caramelized onions
- Slice the onion into very thin rounds using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
- Melt eh butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onion. Season with a healthy pinch of salt.
- Cook the onion down, using a wooden spoon to move the onion around the skillet as it cooks down to a deep golden brown color. This may take between 25-40 minutes, depending on your stovetop, as well as how comfortable you feel caramelizing an onion. You may lower the heat as the onion continues cooking down if you’re concerned that you might overcook it.
- Remove from the skillet and let cool before using.
Make the baked brie bites
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a mini muffin tin (preferably nonstick) with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.
- Roll the puff pastry into a 10” x 10” square. Slice with a sharp knife or pizza slicer into 24 even slices.
- Cut the wheel of brie into 24 bite-sized pieces, too.
- Place the pieces puff pastry into the wells of the mini muffin tins, spreading them out.
- Sprinkle a few pieces of caramelized onions in the bottom of the puff pastry.
- Place the brie slices on top of the caramelized onion.
- Add additional carameliezd onion on top of the brie.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and the brie is melted.
- Remove from the oven, and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle on the fresh thyme leaves and remove from the pan.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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