Learn how to bake brie the easy way - no puff pastry, no cooked toppings, just 5 minutes of prep and everything goes straight on the cheese. Sweet honey, dried fruit, crunchy nuts and salt flakes turn it into a gooey, sweet and salty appetizer that's ready in 25 minutes or less.
The Easiest, Cheesiest Appetizer EVER
If you know me, you know I love my cheese. And what's better than cheese? Hot, melted, gooey, cheese you can eat as a dip. This recipe has all that, as well as great crunch and the perfect mix of sweet & salty.
Baking brie might sound difficult or intimidating, but trust me - it's not! I will teach you how to bake brie - the easy way, without puff pastry or other crust, and without having to cook anything beforehand. Everything goes on raw, and bakes together to this perfect sweet, salty, crunchy, cheesy goodness.
It's all done in under 25 minutes, with just 5 minutes of prep. And it's easy to adapt to whatever you have at home!
"This baked brie is an amazing starter and minimum preparation and cleaning which is always a win in my book! It is sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy! Everything you want in a starter, snack, side, you name it!" - Katya
Just Brie + the Toppings You Love
What Brie to Use & Other Options
I use a whole 1 lb wheel of brie for this recipe, but you can also make this in 1-2 person servings using smaller wheels or wedges of brie. Just make sure it has the rind, on all sides; this is vital for ensuring the cheese stays inside while baking.
You can also swap brie for camembert, they're quite similar.
Different brands of brie will need different amounts of time in the oven.
Sweet + Salty + Crunchy Options
The genius of this recipe is the combination of melty cheese with sweet, salty & crunchy. Choose something from each category to make this perfect. You can choose depending on the season and your mood and what you have at home. I especially love this cranberry version for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Something Sweet
I use dried fruit plus a drizzle of honey on top. For my dried fruit, I like cranberries, blueberries and apricots - but you could use dried figs or something similar as well. Or do a mix!
For honey, I use a liquid version. If you don't have this, you can microwave solid honey 15-30 seconds to make it more liquid.
You can also use maple syrup instead of honey, but then I recommend using half the amount.
Another option is using jam instead of dried fruit and honey. If doing so, spread it on top of the cheese before adding the nuts, and either skip the honey or reduce by half (depending on how sweet you like it). It's delicious with blueberry, strawberry, raspberry or fig jam as well as cranberry sauce.
Something Crunchy
For crunch we use nuts, seeds or a mix of both. For this version I used hazelnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds, but you can also swap out one or the other. Pecans, walnuts and pistachios are other great options.
I use natural, unsalted, nuts, but you can also use salted nuts and skip the extra salt.
Something Salty
For the salty touch that pairs so well with the sweetness & cheesiness, I add salt flakes on top. You can also use table salt, but opt for about half the amount.
If you use salted nuts, you will probably not need any extra salt, so only add it after tasting.
How to Bake Brie in 3 Simple Steps
1. Score the Cheese
To help the brie bake up really well, use a sharp knife to cut a criss-cross pattern in the top of the cheese. You want to cut through the rind but not into the cheese. Be careful to not cut into the sides, or the cheese can run out.
2. Top the Cheese
Top the cheese with half the honey, all the chopped nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and the remaining honey. Then add a sprinkle of salt flakes on top.
3. Bake the Cheese
Bake in the middle of the oven until soft and melty inside, 10-20 minutes. Serve immediately with nice crusty bread or crackers!
Top Tips for Baking Brie
The cheese is done when it's soft inside. You can test this by pressing it gently with a finger or spoon, if it's done it should give away easily. You might also see the cheese start to pop out of the scores on the top when it's done.
Adjust the time depending on the brand of cheese you use. The first time you will need to test and check while cooking. I've tested brands that are done in 10 minutes, and others that need a full 20.
Top it whichever way you like. Cranberries and pumpkin seeds make a pretty red and green appetizer for Christmas and Thanksgiving parties, but other combinations are delicious as well.
You can bake this in the air fryer as well. Follow my guide for making perfect Air Fryer Baked Brie.
Storing, Freezing & Reheating
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Do not freeze leftovers.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 1 minute, or place it back in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 400℉ (200℃).
More Quick & Easy Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more quick & easy appetizer recipes?
- Shrimp Scampi Without Wine10 Minutes
- Fried Feta Cheese with Honey Truffle Vinaigrette15 Minutes
- Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken25 Minutes
- Buffalo Shrimp10 Minutes
More Easy Cheesy Recipes
- Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake30 Minutes
- Garlic Parmesan Smashed Potatoes50 Minutes
- No-Boil Ravioli Casserole35 Minutes
- Walking Taco Casserole30 Minutes
Recipe
Baked Brie (5 Min Prep!)
Print RateIngredients
- 1 lb round brie cheese or camembert
- ¼ cup liquid honey or solid honey microwaved to make it liquid
- ½ cup mixed nuts and seeds chopped; hazelnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds are great options
- ¼ cup dried fruit or berries cranberries, blueberries or other
- ½ tablespoon salt flakes slightly crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉ (200℃).
- Place the brie on a lined baking sheet, and use a paring knife to score a criss-cross pattern on the top. You want to cut just through the outer layer. Be careful not to cut into the sides of the cheese, as this can make the cheese "leak" when baking.1 lb round brie cheese
- Pour over half the honey, followed by chopped nuts and berries. Then add the rest of the honey before finishing with the sea salt flakes.¼ cup liquid honey, ½ cup mixed nuts and seeds, ¼ cup dried fruit or berries, ½ Tbsp salt flakes
- Bake 10-20 minutes at 400℉ (200℃), until cheese feels soft inside when pressed gently with a finger. When done, you will see the cheese starting to poke out slightly from the scores on the top, as well.
- Serve with a side of bread or crackers, cut into the cheese, and dip bread and crackers in the melted cheese.
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Paring knife*
Video
Notes
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You can use maple syrup instead of honey, but then I recommend using half the amount. Another option is using jam instead of dried fruit and honey. If doing so, spread it on top of the cheese before adding the nuts, and either skip the honey or reduce by half (depending on how sweet you like it). It's delicious with blueberry, strawberry, raspberry or fig jam as well as cranberry sauce. I use natural, unsalted, nuts, but you can also use salted nuts and skip the extra salt.Note on Brie:
I use a whole 1 lb wheel of brie for this recipe, but you can also make this in 1-2 person servings using smaller wheels or wedges of brie. Just make sure it has the rind, on all sides; this is vital for ensuring the cheese stays inside while baking. You can also swap brie for camembert, they're quite similar.  The cheese is done when it's soft inside. You can test this by pressing it gently with a finger or spoon, if it's done it should give away easily. You might also see the cheese start to pop out of the scores on the top when it's done. Adjust the time depending on the brand of cheese you use. The first time you will need to test and check while cooking. I've tested brands that are done in 10 minutes, and others that need a full 20. Top it whichever way you like. Cranberries and pumpkin seeds make a pretty red and green appetizer for Christmas and Thanksgiving parties, but other combinations are delicious as well. You can bake this in the air fryer as well. Follow my guide for making perfect Air Fryer Baked Brie. ÂStoring, Freezing & Reheating
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing: Do not freeze leftovers. Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 1 minute, or place it back in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 400℉ (200℃). ÂNutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Katya
This baked brie is an amazing starter and minimum preparation and cleaning which is always a win in my book! I served it with gluten free crackers and my family devoured it! It is sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy! Everything you want in a starter, snack, side, you name it!