Brie Bites in Puff Pastry (with Apple and Jam)

These brie bites in puff pastry are an easy appetizer made with flaky pastry, creamy Brie or Camembert, fresh apple and your choice of jam, like raspberry, fig or even red pepper jelly.

Everything is assembled in a muffin tin and baked until the puff pastry is golden and the cheese is warm and melty. Finish them with fresh thyme and an optional drizzle of honey for an appetizer that looks far more complicated than it actually is.

A Little About This Recipe

Puff pastry is one of those ingredients I always like having in the freezer, especially around the holidays. It does most of the work for you.

For these bites, I wanted that classic combination of warm Brie and flaky pastry, but I also wanted something fresh to balance all that richness. Thin apple slices do exactly that.

Then you can take the recipe in two directions: raspberry jam for something fruity and sweet, or red pepper jelly for a little sweet heat. They’re simple, but they look beautiful on a platter—and that’s exactly the kind of appetizer I love making when people are coming over.

Why I Love These Puff Pastry Brie Bites

• They use just a handful of ingredients.
• Store-bought frozen puff pastry keeps prep incredibly simple.
• Fresh apple balances the rich Brie cheese.
• They bake in about 15 minutes.
• You can assemble them ahead and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
• They look elegant enough for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday gathering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed

Frozen puff pastry is one of my favorite shortcuts for appetizers. Thaw it according to the package directions, but keep it chilled until you’re ready to work with it. Cold puff pastry gives you better, flakier layers in the oven.

About 4 ounces Brie or Camembert

Cut the cheese into 8 pieces, one for each pastry cup. Brie is mild, buttery and creamy, while Camembert has a slightly stronger, earthier flavor. You don’t have to remove the rind. It’s completely edible and softens as the cheese bakes.

About ¼ cup raspberry jam or red pepper jelly

You only need a small spoonful in each bite. Raspberry jam creates a sweeter fruit-forward appetizer. Red pepper jelly is my choice when I want something a little more savory with subtle heat. Fig jam also works beautifully!

1 apple, thinly sliced

Choose an apple with enough structure to hold up in the oven. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Granny Smith are all good choices. Slice it thinly so the apple becomes tender during the short baking time.

Fresh thyme

Fresh thyme gives these bites a savory finish and works beautifully with both apple and Brie. A little goes a long way.

Honey, optional

A light drizzle of honey just before serving adds a beautiful glossy finish and another layer of sweetness.

I particularly like it with the red pepper jelly variation because you get sweet, spicy and savory flavors together.

Substitutions and Variations

Cranberry Brie Bites

Replace the jam with cranberry sauce for an easy Thanksgiving or Christmas variation.

Apple Butter Brie Bites

Add a small spoonful of apple butter instead of jam. This makes the apple flavor even more pronounced.

Hot Honey Brie Bites

Use red pepper jelly and finish the baked bites with hot honey.

Add Pecans

Sprinkle finely chopped pecans over the jam before baking for extra crunch. Walnuts work too.

Use Camembert

Camembert can replace Brie one-for-one if you prefer a slightly more robust cheese.

Make Mini Brie Bites

Cut the pastry into smaller squares and bake them in a mini muffin tin. Keep an eye on them because smaller bites may bake a little faster.

Skip the Apple

If you want an especially simple puff pastry Brie appetizer, use only Brie, jam and thyme.

How to Make Brie Bites in Puff Pastry

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease 8 cups of a standard muffin tin. I don’t skip greasing the pan. Melted cheese and jam can escape around the pastry, and a little grease makes the finished bites much easier to remove.

2. Cut the Puff Pastry

Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into 8 equal squares.

If the pastry becomes very soft while you’re working, place it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

3. Make the Pastry Cups

Gently press one puff pastry square into each prepared muffin cup. Let the corners come slightly above the edge of the pan. There’s no need to make them perfectly uniform. I actually like the rustic shape once the pastry puffs.

4. Add the Brie

Place one piece of Brie or Camembert into each puff pastry cup. Keep the cheese fairly cold before cutting—it makes this much less messy.

5. Add the Jam

Top each piece of cheese with a small spoonful of raspberry jam or red pepper jelly. Avoid overfilling. Too much jam can bubble out of the pastry cups as they bake.

6. Add the Apple

Add a few thin apple slices to each cup. I like leaving part of the apple visible because it makes the finished bites look especially pretty.

7. Add the Thyme

Sprinkle with a few fresh thyme leaves. You can also save some thyme for garnishing after baking.

8. Bake

Bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes. The bites are ready when the puff pastry is deeply golden and puffed and the cheese is melted.

9. Cool Briefly

Let the brie bites cool in the muffin tin for about 3–5 minutes. This gives the melted cheese and jam a chance to settle and makes the bites easier to remove.

Run a thin knife around any edges that have stuck before gently lifting them from the muffin tin.

10. Finish and Serve

Transfer the baked bites to a serving platter. Drizzle with honey, if desired. Serve warm.

How to Store Leftover Brie Bites

Let the bites cool completely before storing and transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

I avoid reheating them in the microwave when possible because puff pastry loses its crisp texture. Instead, place the bites on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5–10 minutes, until heated through and crisp again.

How to Make Brie Bites Ahead

These are a great make-ahead holiday appetizer.

• Cut the puff pastry and assemble the bites in the muffin tin with the Brie, jam and apple.
• Cover the pan and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

I prefer assembling them no more than one day ahead so the filling doesn’t have too much time to soften the pastry. Bake directly from the refrigerator, adding another minute or two if necessary.

You can also prepare the ingredients separately—slice the cheese, cut the puff pastry and measure the jam—then assemble just before guests arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen puff pastry for Brie bites?

Yes. Frozen puff pastry is exactly what I use. Thaw it according to the package instructions, preferably in the refrigerator, and keep it chilled until you’re ready to bake.

Can I use a mini muffin tin?

Yes. A mini muffin tin will create smaller brie bites that are great for cocktail parties. Cut the pastry and cheese into smaller portions and begin checking them a little earlier.

What jam is best with Brie?

Raspberry jam, fig jam, apricot preserves and cranberry sauce are all delicious. For a savory-sweet version, I especially like red pepper jelly.

What apple works best with Brie?

I like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Granny Smith. All three give the rich cheese some freshness and hold their shape well enough for baking.

Can I make these without apple?

Yes. Brie, jam and puff pastry are enough to make a delicious appetizer on their own.

Can I make cranberry Brie bites with this recipe?

Yes. Simply replace the raspberry jam or pepper jelly with cranberry sauce. It’s an easy variation for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Why didn’t my puff pastry puff?

The pastry may have become too warm before baking. Keep it refrigerated as much as possible and bake it in a fully preheated oven.

Why did my Brie bites stick to the muffin tin?

Usually some jam or melted cheese escaped the pastry and baked onto the pan. Lightly greasing the muffin tin before assembling makes the bites much easier to remove.

Can I make puff pastry Brie bites ahead?

Yes. Assemble them in the muffin tin, cover and refrigerate for up to a day, then bake shortly before serving.

Can I reheat Brie bites?

Yes. Reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 5–10 minutes. The oven restores the crisp puff pastry much better than a microwave.

Are these served warm or cold?

They’re best warm, when the Brie is creamy and the puff pastry is crisp. They are still tasty at room temperature, which makes them convenient for parties.

What can I serve with Brie bites?

I like putting them on a holiday appetizer board with nuts, fresh fruit, olives and crackers. They also pair beautifully with a simple sparkling drink or apple cider mocktail.

Final Thoughts

These brie bites in puff pastry are exactly the kind of appetizer I like having in my back pocket during the holidays.

The ingredient list is short, the prep is simple and store-bought puff pastry does most of the work. What makes them special is the combination of creamy Brie, crisp apple and that little spoonful of jam or pepper jelly tucked inside each flaky pastry cup.

Choose raspberry jam for something sweet and fruity or red pepper jelly when you want a little sweet heat. Either way, finish them with fresh thyme and a drizzle of honey, put them on a platter and serve them warm.

Simple ingredients, very little effort and an appetizer that still feels special—that’s always a win for me.

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