Whenever I am invited to a party or gathering I always offer to bring an appetizer and I have a short repertoire of 4-5 appetizers that can easily be made in advance and are always a hit with a crowd. These Brie Puff Pastry Bites are the perfect holiday appetizer. The combination of flaky puff pastry with melted brie, sweet caramelized onions and sundried tomatoes is a match made in heaven. You can easily assemble these mini puff pastry appetizers in advance and then quickly bake before serving or bake them in advance and quickly reheat before arranging on a serving platter. I think these easy brie bites will be a huge hit at your next holiday party.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love These Caramelized Onion & Brie Puff Pastry Bites:
- The sweet-savory balance of the caramelized onions, sun dried tomatoes, and melty brie wrapped in flaky puff pastry is unbelievably decadent and delicious.
- Perfectly bite-sized and easy to serve at holiday parties without forks or knives.
- They are make-ahead friendly. You can prep components ahead and assemble quickly before baking.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Yellow Onions: I love how sweet and tender they become when caramelized. You can also use white onions if you prefer, or that’s what you have on hand.
- Butter: The butter adds a creamy richness to the caramelized onions with a nutty, toasty aroma that is unmatchable.
- Salt: Fine sea salt will balance and enhance the flavor. You can use kosher salt, too.
- Puff Pastry Sheet: Buttery and fluffy, and so delicious! Look for puff pastry in the freezer aisle of your local grocery store. Pepperidge Farm puff pastry is the most popular brand.
- Rosemary: I use fresh rosemary for an earthy depth. Dried rosemary will also work. You can also add thyme or basil.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes add a bold, tangy zing to every bite.
- Brie Cheese: You’ll want to cut it into little half-inch, bite-sized pieces for a creamy, buttery, and melty addition
- Balsamic Glaze: A balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish. If you don’t have balsamic glaze on hand, you can quickly make your own with balsamic vinegar.
You can find a full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below
Kitchen Tools You Will Need:
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Large Skillet with a lid
- Mini Muffin Pan
Puff Pastry
Be sure to keep the puff pastry cold until you’re ready to use it. Keeping it cold is the key to a flaky puff pastry.
How To Make These Brie Puff Pastry Bites:
- Add the thinly sliced onions to a skillet with salt and water, cover with a lid and leave to cook until the onions have softened, then remove the lid and continue to cook until the water has evaporated. Add in the butter, lower the heat to medium, and leave to cook until the onions are golden brown and caramelized.
- On a lightly floured work surface or on parchment paper, unfold the puff pastry and cut the sheet into 16 equal squares. I recommend cutting the puff pastry into four equal-sized strips by four equal-sized strips.
- Spray your mini muffin tins with cooking spray. Place a square into each mini muffin cup and place a cube of brie in the base of each puff pastry cup, topped with a spoonful of the caramelized onions and a teaspoon-sized amount of chopped sundried tomatoes. Top with a sprig of rosemary.
- Transfer to the oven to bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown in color and puffed.
- Add a small drizzle of balsamic glaze to the top of each cup before serving warm.
How to Modify:
- Swap the creamy brie for goat cheese, camembert cheese, or blue cheese for a change in texture or flavor.
- Try a drizzle of honey or truffle oil in addition to or instead of the balsamic glaze.
- Sprinkle toasted nuts, such as pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans, for added crunch.
- If you like spicy, you could sprinkle with a bit of red pepper flakes.
- You could use crescent roll dough in place of the puff pastry. You just won’t get the same flaky, buttery texture.
Dietary Customizations:
- Gluten Free: Schar makes a gluten-free puff pastry dough that would work well for this recipe
- Dairy Free: Make this dairy-free by using any kind of non-dairy creamy cheese. There are options out there for a non-dairy, cashew-based brie cheese as well.
Serving Suggestions:
Whether it’s the holiday season, game day, or any special occasion, this easy appetizer is perfect before your favorite pork, chicken, beef, or seafood dinner.
It is also amazing alongside a charcuterie board, a Fresh Fruit Platter with Lemon Yogurt Dip, or with some Balsamic Zucchini and Pepper Crostini.
If you have extra puff pastry, try Ham and Gruyere Puff Pastries or Blueberry Lemon and Cream Cheese Puff Pastries.
Common Questions
Yes! I recommend assembling them a few hours in advance, covering them in plastic wrap and refrigerating, and then baking just before serving for the flakiest texture and warmest results.
Leftover Brie puff pastry bites can definitely be saved, though they’re always best fresh. Store them in an airtight container for 2-3 days and warm them in a muffin tray or on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees until warm and bubbly. You’ll want to avoid warming them in the microwave because this will make them soggy. I also like eating them at room temperature.
Try cranberry brie bites with chopped pecans or top the brie with fig jam, red pepper jelly, or roasted apple slices as great variations of sweet and savory flavors.
If you can’t find store-bought puff pastry, you can for sure make your own for an incredible, buttery flavor. Homemade has more pronounced buttery layers, so the bites will taste extra indulgent. It’s more labor-intensive, but worth it if you enjoy unique baking projects.
No! The rind is entirely edible, and honestly, once baked, you really can’t even tell it’s there. If you really aren’t a fan of the brie rind, you can cut it off, but you will lose some of the cheese along the way.
More of My Favorite Appetizers You Will Love:
- Spicy Tuna Wonton Cups
- Poached Salmon Spread
- Creamy Crab Dip With Goat Cheese
- Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Dip
- Air Fryer Crispy Artichokes
If you make these Puff Pastry Brie Bites, let me know in the comments section below. I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram. I love seeing your photos!
Caramelized Onion & Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow onions
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 sheet puff pastry thawed
- 2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/3 cup finely chopped oil packed sundried tomatoes
- 4 oz brie cut into 16 half inch sized pieces.
- Drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cut the onions in half and then thinly slice. Add the onions to a skillet on medium heat, sprinkle with salt and pour in 2/3 cup water. Cover with a lid and leave to cook for approximately 10 minutes until the onions have softened then remove the lid and continue to cook until the water has evaporated. Add in the butter, lower the heat to medium and leave to cook another 5-10 minutes until the onions are golden brown.
- Unfold the puff pastry and cut the sheet into 16 equal sized squares (approximately 1 ½ x 1 ½ inches in size). I recommend cutting the puff pastry into 4 equal sized strips by 4 equal sized strips
- Spray a mini muffin tray with cooking spray.
- Place a square into each mini muffin cup and gently press down so it forms a cup
- Place a piece of brie in the base of each puff pastry cup. Next add a spoonful of the caramelized onions followed by a teaspoon sized amount of chopped sundried tomatoes. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary.
- Transfer to the over to bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown in color and puff
- Add a small drizzle of balsamic glaze to the top of each cup before serving warm
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a comment below and let us know how it was!
