Baked Brie is one of my favorite appetizers because it’s so incredibly easy to make but looks extra fancy so you can impress with little stress. This cranberry baked Brie with walnuts is the perfect flavor blend for Thanksgiving, fall occasions, and Christmas alike, and it bakes up in your air fryer for convenience!
What is Cranberry Baked Brie?
Cranberry baked Brie is a warm, creamy appetizer that tops a wheel of Brie cheese with cranberry sauce, and it is then baked (or in my case, air fried) until the cheese becomes soft and gooey.
You can customize your Brie with the addition of toasted nuts (I use walnuts), sweeteners, and herbs or spices. I’ll give you some different suggestions below to spark your creativity.
Serve baked Brie with fruit, crackers, or toasted crostini for dipping for an elegant and delicious appetizer! The cheese itself is naturally vegetarian and gluten free, so adjust your dippers accordingly if needed to suit different dietary needs.
Cranberry baked Brie in particular is popular as a holiday appetizer for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, given its festive colors and flavors. It’s also a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce and turn it into something new and fun!
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Cranberry Baked Brie Ingredients
- 8 ounce wheel Brie cheese
- ½ cup whole fruit cranberry sauce (or jam)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup roasted salted walnuts
- Crackers for serving (I like rosemary crackers here)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of maple, you can substitute honey if preferred
- The walnuts can be swapped for pecans, pistachios, or sliced almonds
- Feel free to add a dash of cinnamon, ginger, or some rosemary or thyme for extra flavor!
- If you want to add other fruits along with the cranberry, orange, raspberry, and apple are great choices
- Other serving options include crostini, grapes, sliced apples, or dried oranges
- To add another delicious homemade touch, you can make my incredibly easy Microwave Cranberry Sauce recipe!
Puff Pastry Variation
To make a puff pastry wrapped Brie en croute, wrap the entire fruit-coated Brie wheel in a sheet of puff pastry. Place the seam side down, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the puff pastry is browned and cooked through.
You can also tie cooking twine around it to make it into a pumpkin shape, similar to what I do with my Air Fryer Pizza Pumpkins if you want to make a more festive shape for fall.
How to Make Air Fryer Cranberry Baked Brie
- Remove the Brie cheese from all packaging, and place it on a sheet of parchment or nonstick foil trimmed to fit in your air fryer. You can cut the top off the Brie if you like, but the rind is edible so it’s not necessary, just preference
- Spread the cranberry sauce over top of the cheese evenly
- Place the foil with the Brie into the air fryer and cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is soft and melty (it should give when you gently squeeze it)
- Transfer to a cheese board or serving plate. Use the foil or parchment to support it since it’s soft, then carefully slide the sheet out from under it once it’s in place
- Drizzle the maple syrup and toasted walnuts over the top
- Serve warm with crackers (I like rosemary crackers for this) or other dippers as desired!
More Baked Brie Flavors
- Baked Brie With Fig Jam
- Mummy Baked Brie
- Pear Baked Brie
What to Serve With Cranberry Baked Brie
Cranberry baked Brie is a delicious savory, sweet, and creamy dish that pairs well with a lot of different options for dipping and spreading . Here are some of my favorites:
Crackers and Bread
A variety of crackers, baguette slices, or crostini add a crunchy contrast to the soft Brie.
Whole grain or seeded crackers bring an earthy note that complements the sweet-tart cranberries, while French baguette slices provide a neutral, sturdy base that holds up well to dipping.
Assorted Fruits
Slices of apple, pear, or grapes offer natural sweetness and crispness, balancing the creamy texture of the Brie.
Berries like strawberries or blueberries also pair well, adding a fresh, juicy element to each bite! Dried fruits like oranges and apricots can offer a fun textural contrast as well, while holding up to the creamy cheese.
Cured Meats
Adding prosciutto, salami, or other cured meats to your selection creates a savory element that complements the Brie’s richness.
The saltiness from the meats works beautifully with the sweetness of the cranberry topping.
Vegetables
Fresh celery sticks, carrots, or even thin cucumber slices add a refreshing, crisp contrast to the creamy Brie and can be used to scoop up the cheese and cranberry mixture.
Recipe FAQs
Do You Need to Remove the Rind Before Baking Brie?
No, you don’t need to remove the rind; it’s completely edible and helps hold the cheese together as it melts.
The rind softens during baking and becomes more palatable, adding texture to each bite.
How Long Should You Bake Cranberry Brie?
Typically, cranberry baked Brie is baked in an air fryer at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or in a conventional oven at the same temperature for about 15 minutes.
You want the Brie to be soft but not fully melted. Overbaking can cause the cheese to lose shape, so it’s best to monitor it closely towards the end!
Can You Use Fresh Cranberries Instead of Cranberry Sauce?
Yes, fresh cranberries can be used instead of sauce, but they need to be cooked down over the stove in advance.
Use a mix of cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and zest (or your favorite combination) to create a quick homemade cranberry sauce.
Can You Make Baked Brie Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can assemble the Brie and cranberry topping ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
When ready to serve, simply pop it in the air fryer or oven and bake until warm and melty. This makes it a convenient option for holiday entertaining!
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Baked Brie
- For a very small air fryer, you can use the mini (4 ounce) wheel of Brie and halve the rest of the recipe (cook 6 minutes instead). However, the standard 8-ounce wheel fits in my Ninja Dual Zone baskets which are only 5.5” wide without a problem!
- If you do decide you want to remove the rind, use a sharp knife to slice the top off the the Brie before adding the toppings (keep the bottom and sides intact to maintain the structure of the cheese)
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store any leftover cranberry baked Brie in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days
- To reheat baked Brie in the air fryer, place it back on a piece of foil (or in an oven safe dish since it will ooze more without its original structure) and air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, until warmed through
Final Thoughts
Cranberry baked Brie is such an elegant looking appetizer, but it’s so easy to make! You can impress your guests with little stress – your secret is safe with me.
Plus, it’s naturally vegetarian and gluten free, so it works for a variety of different dietary needs so long as you adjust dippers accordingly!
This baked Brie is the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving, fall occasions, and Christmas thanks to its sweet, tart, and festive flavor profile. Pair with your favorite dippers like crackers and fruits, and make it the star of your charcuterie spread!
Katie’s tip
If you’re looking for more festive holiday food, then check out my Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes to inspire you from appetizer to dessert!
You can also bake it in your oven, sure, but the air fryer saves time and turns out a great result. Plus, it leaves the oven open if you’re roasting a huge turkey, and still allows you to make an appetizer everyone will love.
Cranberry Baked Brie With Walnuts (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Foil (or similar)
Ingredients
- 8 ounce wheel Brie cheese
- ½ cup whole fruit cranberry sauce (or jam)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup toasted, salted walnuts
- Crackers for serving (or similar)
Instructions
- Remove the Brie cheese from all packaging, and place it on a sheet of parchment or nonstick foil trimmed to fit in your air fryer. You can cut the top off the Brie if you like, but the rind is edible so it’s not necessary, just preference8 ounce wheel Brie cheese
- Spread the cranberry sauce over top of the cheese evenly½ cup whole fruit cranberry sauce
- Place the foil with the Brie into the air fryer and cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is soft and melty (it should give when you gently squeeze it)
- Transfer to a cheese board or serving plate. Use the foil or parchment to support it since it’s soft, then carefully slide the sheet out from under it once it’s in place
- Drizzle the maple syrup and toasted walnuts over the top1 Tbsp maple syrup, ¼ cup toasted, salted walnuts
- Serve warm with crackers (I like rosemary crackers for this) or other dippers as desired!Crackers for serving
Notes
- Instead of maple, you can substitute honey if preferred
- The walnuts can be swapped for pecans, pistachios, or sliced almonds. Try candid or spiced nuts for extra sweetness or flavors
- Feel free to add a dash of cinnamon, ginger, or some rosemary or thyme for extra flavor!
- If you want to add other fruits along with the cranberry, orange, raspberry, and apple are great choices
- Other serving options include crostini, grapes, sliced apples, or dried oranges
- For a very small air fryer, you can use a mini (4 ounce) wheel of Brie and halve the rest of the recipe (cook 6 minutes instead). However, the standard 8-ounce wheel fits in my 5.5” wide basket so you likely won’t have an issue
- If you do decide you want to remove the rind, use a sharp knife to slice the top off the the Brie before adding the toppings (keep the bottom and sides intact to maintain the structure of the cheese)
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or toppings added, dippers selected (not included), and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
