Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

If there’s one thing I love, it’s an appetizer that looks fancy but requires almost zero effort. And with the holidays and hosting season right around the corner, having a few recipes in your back pocket that are impressive but ridiculously easy to make is a lifesaver. Puff pastry and brie tend to do a lot of the heavy lifting around the holidays, and for good reason. I mean, who doesn’t love a crispy, cheesy bite?!

These Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites are exactly that. Buttery, flaky puff pastry filled with creamy, melty brie, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, and a little fresh rosemary. The best part? All you need is four ingredients and a muffin tin to make them!

These are one of my favorite appetizers to bring to holiday parties, Friendsgiving, or Thanksgiving because they’re so easy to throw together but always a crowd favorite. They’re also the perfect way to use up leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving. Just try not to eat half the batch before your guests arrive!

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Brie Bites

• Only 4 ingredients: Puff pastry, brie, cranberry sauce, and fresh rosemary. That’s it!
• Perfect for entertaining: They’re bite-sized, easy to serve, and look a lot fancier than the effort required.
• Great for leftovers: Have extra cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving? This is one of the best ways to put it to good use, especially if you’re still hosting after the big day.
• Easy to make ahead: You can prep these in advance and bake them right before serving, but they also take less than 10 minutes to prep.
• Customizable: switch up the flavors to what you have on hand. Fig jam and goat cheese? Blackberry jam and boursin? The opportunities are endless.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Puff pastry: Store-bought frozen puff pastry makes this recipe ridiculously easy. You’ll need one sheet, thawed according to package instructions.
• Brie: One small wheel of brie, cut into bite-sized cubes. You can leave the rind on! It is completely edible and helps the cheese hold its shape.
• Cranberry sauce: Homemade or store-bought both work great. This is especially delicious with leftover Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.
• Fresh rosemary: Adds a little earthy, herby flavor that pairs perfectly with the cranberry and brie.

How to Make Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites

Step 1: Prepare the Brie and Puff Pastry

Place your brie wheel in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This makes it much easier to cut into clean, even pieces without the cheese sticking to your knife.

Meanwhile, thaw your puff pastry according to the package instructions and preheat your oven to 400°F.

Step 2: Cut the Puff Pastry

Lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Unfold your puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface and slightly roll it out into a rectangle. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut it into even squares, sized to fit your muffin tin.

Place the cut pastry squares in the freezer for about 10 minutes to firm up. Cold puff pastry is much easier to handle and helps it bake up nice and flaky.

Step 3: Assemble the Bites

Gently press one puff pastry square into each muffin cup, gently pressing the sides together if necessary to form a small cup.

Cut the chilled brie into small cubes and place one piece into each pastry cup. Top with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of chopped fresh rosemary. Brush the puff pastry with a little heavy cream or egg wash if desired, then top with flaky salt.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden

Bake at 400°F for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown and the brie is melted and bubbly. Let the bites cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

• Freeze your brie before cutting: Just 15 minutes in the freezer makes a huge difference when cutting brie into small cubes.
• Keep your puff pastry cold: If your puff pastry gets too warm or soft while you’re working with it, pop it back into the freezer for 5–10 minutes. Cold pastry is easier to handle and helps create those beautiful flaky layers.
• Don’t overfill: You only need a small piece of brie and a little cranberry sauce in each cup. Overfilling can cause the cheese and cranberry sauce to bubble over while baking.
• Leave the rind on: There’s no need to remove the rind from your brie! It’s edible and makes the cheese easier to handle.
• Use homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce: Both work perfectly. I especially love making these after Thanksgiving when I have extra cranberry sauce sitting in the fridge.
• Use a regular muffin tin: Don’t have a mini muffin tin? No problem! Cut your pastry into larger squares and brie into larger cubes and adjust the filling accordingly. The baking time may need to be increased slightly depending on the size.

More Easy Holiday Appetizers

• Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket
• Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail
• Honeynut Squash Whipped Ricotta
• Festive Baked Brie

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Make Ahead & Storage

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the bites in your muffin tin ahead of time, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Keep them cold until you’re ready to pop them into the oven. You can also bake them ahead of time and reheat before serving, although I personally think they’re best fresh out of the oven.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover cranberry brie bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat cranberry brie bites?

Reheat in a 350°F oven for approximately 5–10 minutes, or until warmed through and the puff pastry is crispy again. I recommend avoiding the microwave since it can make the puff pastry soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you remove the rind from brie before baking?

Nope! The rind is completely edible and softens as the brie melts. You can leave it on for this recipe.

Can I use a regular muffin tin instead of a mini muffin tin?

Yes! Just cut your puff pastry into larger squares so they fit into a standard muffin tin, and use slightly larger pieces of brie and more cranberry sauce. Bake until the pastry is golden and fully cooked through.

Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce?

Of course! Both homemade and store-bought cranberry sauce work well. I recommend using a thicker cranberry sauce rather than one that’s very runny so the puff pastry doesn’t get soggy.