These 3-ingredient cranberry brie bites are the kind of holiday appetizer that earns a permanent spot on the table because they look festive, taste rich and tangy, and come together with very little effort. They lean on a classic sweet-savory pairing of buttery pastry, creamy Brie, and tart cranberry sauce, giving you an easy baked appetizer that feels elegant without asking much from the cook.
Serve these warm on an appetizer platter with spiced nuts, olives, and fresh fruit, or pair them with sparkling wine, hard cider, or a crisp white wine. They also fit nicely alongside other holiday favorites like meatballs, cheese boards, and roast turkey, since the bright cranberry flavor cuts through richer dishes beautifully.
3-Ingredient Cranberry Brie Bites
Servings: 24 bites
Ingredients
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
8 ounces Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin or line it if preferred.
2. Roll out the thawed puff pastry just enough to smooth the folds, then cut it into 24 roughly even squares.
3. Press each pastry square into the mini muffin cups, letting the corners stick up slightly.
4. Place a cube of Brie into each pastry cup, then top each one with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce.
5. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and deep golden at the edges and the cheese is melted.
6. Let the bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then carefully remove and transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the bites a few hours ahead and refrigerate the muffin tin until ready to bake. This is especially useful when oven space is tight during holiday cooking.
Jam swap: If you do not have cranberry sauce, try fig jam, raspberry preserves, or hot pepper jelly for a different sweet-savory profile. Each one pairs well with Brie and puff pastry.
Keep the Brie cold: Chilled Brie is much easier to cut into neat cubes, and neat cubes make the filling process quicker and less messy.
Don’t overfill: Use only a small spoonful of cranberry sauce in each cup so the filling does not bubble over too much in the oven. A little goes a long way here.
Serving note: These are at their best warm, when the pastry is crisp and the Brie is soft. If they cool down, a few minutes in a low oven will bring them back nicely.