These air fryer cranberry puff pastry brie bites are perfect as an appetizer or a snack, and look stunning on a holiday food board. Your air fryer does such a nice job of crisping and browning the exterior while leaving the interior soft, melty, and delicious!
What Are Cranberry Brie Bites?
Cranberry Brie bites are a festive appetizer featuring creamy, melty Brie cheese and tart cranberry sauce or jam, which is usually baked in small pastry cups. They are so easy to make thanks to pre-made puff pastry or phyllo dough!
I love that the base recipe is just 3 ingredients (doesn’t get much better than that)! However, they are highly customizable so you can add extras like nuts, herbs, or orange zest. You can even use your leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving to make them!
Instead of baking them, I choose to air fry my Brie bites! They come out flaky and golden with a sweet, savory, and tangy burst of flavor waiting inside. Cranberry Brie bites are one of my favorite holiday appetizers because they’re festive, flavorful, and a crowd-pleaser!
Katie’s Tip
If you’re looking for more great ideas for leftover ingredients, check out my Air Fryer Turkey Sliders or Air Fryer Thanksgiving Egg Rolls for more delicious options!
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Cranberry Brie Bites Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry dough (defrosted if frozen)
- 4 ounces Brie cheese
- 3 Tbsp cranberry jam (or sauce)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of puff pastry, you can substitute crescent dough (store-bought is fine in either case), or you can also use phyllo cups if you like (they’ll just be open top instead, which makes them easy to add garnishes)!
- Any type of cranberry jam (or cranberry sauce) is great! I’ve used both spiced cranberry and cranberry orange and love both, but you can choose your favorite. Raspberry or fig jam is another great flavor pairing (or add some pepper jelly for a little heat)
- Other optional toppings that are delicious are some chopped roasted pecans, pistachios, or sliced almonds, a sprig of fresh rosemary, sugared cranberries, or anything similar you like!
What Kind of Cranberries Should I Use For Cranberry Brie Bites?
- Cranberry jam, spread, or preserves (including “holiday” jam)
- Canned cranberry sauce
- Cranberry compote
- Homemade cranberry sauce
The thing I love most about this cranberry air fryer puff pastry Brie bite recipe is that it’s perfect if you need something to use leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving in!
In fact, you can also turn everyone’s favorite jellied side dish into my Chocolate Covered Cranberry Sauce for a decadent holiday dessert!
Or you can go the homemade route with my incredibly easy and delicious Microwave Cranberry Sauce recipe!
If you’re not looking to make these bites immediately, you can simply freeze your cranberry sauce and then thaw and use it later. It’s vibrant and festive and perfect for Christmas time as well!
That shouldn’t stop you from making these easy sweet, creamy bites year round though! Just grab some cranberry spread from the grocery store for an easy jump start.
How to Make Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites: Instructions
- Remove the rind from the Brie and cut it into small pieces (approximately ½” cubes)
- Roll out your puff pastry dough and cut it into 16-18 approximately 3” squares (per sheet, depending on size of sheet)
- In the center of each dough square, place one cube of Brie and ½ tsp cranberry preserves
- Fold the corners of the dough up around the cheese and jam, pinching and twisting to seal like a coin purse, then push the tops down to create a more dumpling-like appearance
- Spray the basket of your air fryer with nonstick spray, to make for easier removal later. Then, add the Brie bites to the air fryer basket, leaving air space between each bite (they will expand slightly during cooking)
- Cook on the air fry setting for 7-10 minutes at 350°F, or until dough is cooked through and browned
- Serve warm, and enjoy!
What to Eat With Puff Pastry Brie
Fruits
Serve cranberry Brie puff pastry bites with fresh fruit options like apple slices, pear wedges, or grapes provide a crisp and juicy contrast.
Dried fruits, such as apricots, figs, or cranberries, also work well by adding sweetness.
Nuts
Toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds add crunch and enhance the flavor profile. You can even serve a salted mix alongside for a nice texture contrast as well!
Savory Elements
Add a balance with cured meats like prosciutto or salami, or even roasted vegetables like bell peppers or asparagus. These Brie bites are excellent when included as part of a charcuterie board!
Festive Drinks
Since Brie bites are a finger food and great appetizer option, they can also be served alongside holiday drinks! Try my White Christmas Mimosa, Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini, or Red Lobster Snow Globe Sangria for the perfect complements!
- Puff Pastry Twists With Jam
- Air Fryer Puff Pastry Pizza
Recipe FAQs
Do I Need to Cut the Rind Off My Brie Before Air Frying?
No, you don’t need to cut the rind off the Brie before air frying it. It’s actually entirely edible.
However, when I make these little bites, I tend to prefer the texture to just be creamy cheese and not have the rubbery rind get in the way of my perfect bite. That said, if you want to leave it on, that’s totally fine!
Can You Heat Up Brie in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can heat up Brie in an air fryer. You can do the entire wheel if you like, a la baked Brie style.
Alternatively, it works well in pastries and other dishes like these tasty air fryer puff pastry Brie bites!
How Long Do You Cook Brie Cheese For in the Air Fryer?
Brie cheese generally takes between 5-8 minutes in the air fryer. It will vary depending on the size of the Brie you’re using, the temperature and power of your air fryer, and if there are other ingredients included.
No matter what, Brie cooked in the air fryer is going to be gooey and tasty!
Can Cranberry Brie Bites Be Made Ahead?
Yes, cranberry Brie bites can be made ahead, making them convenient for entertaining. To prepare in advance, assemble the bites, then cover and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. Air fry them just before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
Alternatively, you can freeze the assembled bites on a tray until solid, then store them in a freezer-safe container. Cook directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Cranberry Puff Pastry Brie Bites
- It is normal for some leaking to occur during cooking. Try your best to seal the seams well when rolling the dough balls
- Even with the spray, my Brie bites did stick a little in the air fryer (mostly due to falling into the grates). You could also use some perforated parchment paper underneath them, which should help prevent that, or just remove them carefully to avoid ripping them open
- Serve on a platter or board alongside some holly or a sprig of rosemary for a festive look! Don’t let that rosemary go to waste, either. Just dry rosemary in the air fryer and set it in the spice rack for next time!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftover Brie bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- To reheat Brie bites in the air fryer, simply air fry them for around 3 minutes at 350°F to warm them up. They should only be reheated once if possible, as the dough will dry out with each subsequent reheat
- Pumpkin Baked Brie
- Cranberry Brie Pull Apart
Final Thoughts
These cranberry puff pastry Brie bites are a creamy, tart, and delicious mix, all in a poppable sized appetizer! Best of all, they’re even easier to make thanks to your air fryer.
Whether you’re entertaining guests and they’re on your holiday spread, or you just want a snack, they’re sure to please!
These flaky Brie bites are a great use for that leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving! Whether you make them the next day, or freeze for later use during the holidays, it’s a jump start to your food prep.
Katie’s tip
Looking for more great sides and snacks? Make sure to check out my butternut squash fries for an easy side that helps use up that extra squash from your holiday meal!
I also think this microwave mulled wine recipe is a perfect way to warm up during the holidays or on a cold winter night!
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Sharp knife (or pizza, pasta, or pastry cutter)
- Measuring spoon (1/2 tsp)
Ingredients
- 1 Roll puff pastry (thawed if frozen) (approximately 13 ounces)
- 3 Tbsp Cranberry jam, spread, sauce, or similar
- 4 oz Brie cheese (wheel or wedge)
- Nonstick spray (or perforated parchment)
Instructions
- Remove the rind from the Brie (optional) and cut it into approximately ½” cubes using a sharp knife and cutting board4 oz Brie cheese
- Roll out your puff pastry dough and cut it into 16-18 approximately 3” squares (per sheet, depending on size of sheet) using a sharp knife or pizza cutter1 Roll puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
- In the center of each dough square, place one cube of Brie and ½ tsp cranberry preserves3 Tbsp Cranberry jam, spread, sauce, or similar
- Fold the corners of the dough up around the cheese and jam, pinching and twisting to seal like a coin purse, then push the tops down to create a more dumpling-like appearance
- Spray the basket of your air fryer with nonstick spray, to make for easier removal later. Then, add the Brie bites to the air fryer basket, leaving air space between each bite (they will expand slightly during cooking)Nonstick spray
- Cook on the air fry setting for 7-10 minutes at 350°F, or until dough is cooked through and browned on top
- Cool for 2-3 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Nothing has to be perfect, so if your cheese or pastry cubes are slightly uneven it’s totally fine!
- For the dough, puff pastry may be substituted by crescent dough, phyllo dough, or phyllo cups, depending on preference and availability
- If desired, cranberry may be substituted by honey, or other fruit preserves, such as peach, apricot, fig, plum, raspberry, or apple
- The rind does not have to be removed if preferred (it is edible), however, it leads to a creamier center if it is removed in advance
- For Brie substitutes, try cream cheese, Camembert, mozzarella, or Havarti
- It doesn’t matter whether you add the cheese or the fruit first, though I find that the cheese on top holds in the jam to make folding easier
- This recipe doubles easily if your puff pastry comes in a 2-pack or you’re feeding a crowd
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific brands and flavors used plus amount consumed, so please consider this a rough guideline only
Nutrition
