The holiday season is filled with so much joy, laughter, and let’s be honest, a little bit of chaos. Finding time to create delicious food can feel like a challenge. You want something that looks and tastes amazing without spending hours in the kitchen.
That is where these amazing Cranberry Brie Bites come in. They are one of my favorite Holiday Party Appetizers because they are incredibly simple to make. They look so fancy, but they come together in just minutes. This recipe is your ticket to a stress free celebration.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor combination is just fantastic. You get the creamy, melty brie cheese paired with the sweet and tangy whole berry cranberry sauce. Add the salty crunch of pistachios, and it is a party in your mouth.
The textures are also a huge part of the appeal. The crispy, flaky phyllo shell gives way to the soft, warm cheese. It is such a satisfying bite. This is the kind of Holiday Party Food that guests will talk about long after the party is over.
Another reason to adore this recipe is its simplicity. We use store bought phyllo shells, which are a huge time saver. There is no need to make dough from scratch. You can find them in the freezer aisle at most grocery stores.
These bites are also visually stunning. The vibrant red of the cranberry and the green of the pistachios create a festive color palette. They look like Elegant Appetizers you would find at a catered event, but you made them yourself. It is a great way to impress your guests with minimal effort.
Finally, they are incredibly quick. From start to finish, you are looking at about 15 minutes. This makes them one of the Best Holiday Appetizers for last minute guests or for when you need to whip something up fast.
Ingredients
You only need four simple ingredients to make these wonderful Holiday Party Appetizers. It is amazing how something so simple can taste so complex and delicious.
- 1 (7 ounce) brie round, rind removed
- 24 frozen mini phyllo pastry shells
- 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/3 cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped
A little note on the ingredients. For the brie, removing the rind helps it melt more smoothly. If you are short on time, you can leave it on, but the texture is a little better without it.
Make sure you grab the mini phyllo shells. They are the ideal size for a single bite appetizer. As for the cranberry sauce, whole berry provides a nice texture. Jellied sauce can work in a pinch, but the whole berries add a nice pop.
Step By Step Instructions
Now for the fun part. Let’s put these little bites of joy together. It is so easy, you will have it memorized after the first time.
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is heating up, take a moment to prepare your brie. Cut the round into 24 small pieces. You want them to be just big enough to fit snugly inside each phyllo shell.
Arrange your frozen phyllo shells on a rimmed baking sheet. Using a rimmed sheet is a good idea just in case any of the filling bubbles over. It keeps your oven clean.
Step 2: Assemble The Bites
This is where the magic happens. Place one piece of brie into each phyllo shell. Try to nestle it down in there so it sits flat.
Next, top each piece of brie with about one teaspoon of the whole berry cranberry sauce. You do not want to overfill it, so a small dollop is all you need. Finally, sprinkle the chopped pistachios evenly over the top of the cranberry sauce.
This is a great step to get kids involved with if they want to help with the Holiday Party Food preparations. They can have fun spooning the sauce and sprinkling the nuts.
Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly
Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for about 6 minutes. You will know they are done when the cheese is completely melted and looks a little bubbly. The shells should be a beautiful golden brown.
Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from golden to burnt pretty quickly. Every oven is a little different, so yours might take a minute more or less.
Step 4: Serve And Enjoy
Once they are done, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. These little bites are best served immediately while the cheese is still warm and gooey. Arrange them on a platter and watch them disappear. They truly are one of the Best Holiday Appetizers around.
How To Store Leftovers
Honestly, you probably will not have any leftovers. These things are seriously popular. But on the off chance you do, you can store them. Let them cool completely first.
Place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. The phyllo shells will lose some of their crispness, but they will still be tasty.
To reheat, I recommend using an oven or an air fryer. Pop them in at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes until they are warmed through and the shells have crisped up again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the pastry soft.
Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make your Holiday Party Appetizers experience even better.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble these bites ahead of time. Just prepare them up to the baking step, cover them, and store them in the fridge for a few hours. When you are ready, just pop them in the oven. This is a great tip for planning your Holiday Party Food.
- Ingredient Swaps: Feel free to get creative. You could use camembert or goat cheese instead of brie. Fig jam or apricot preserves would be a delicious substitute for cranberry sauce. For nuts, try chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Add a Garnish: To make these Elegant Appetizers even more beautiful, add a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme on top of each one after baking. It adds a lovely touch of green and a wonderful aroma.
- Serving Suggestion: Arrange them on a festive platter with some fresh greenery for a beautiful presentation. It makes the whole experience feel a bit more special.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, delicious, and beautiful recipe for Holiday Party Appetizers that will make you look like a kitchen superstar. These Cranberry Brie Bites are proof that you do not need to spend a lot of time or money to create something special.
They check all the boxes. They are easy, fast, and use just a handful of ingredients. The combination of flavors and textures is just delightful. I hope you give them a try for your next holiday gathering. They are sure to be a huge hit. Happy holidays.
FAQ
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely. You can assemble the bites completely, cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking. This is a great way to prep your Holiday Party Appetizers in advance.
What Other Cheese Can I Use?
Brie is wonderful, but other soft cheeses work well too. Try small pieces of camembert or a dollop of goat cheese for a different flavor profile. Even a small cube of cream cheese would be a tasty option for these Elegant Appetizers.
I Can’t Find Phyllo Shells. What Is A Good Substitute?
If you cannot find the mini phyllo shells, you have a couple of options. You could use mini tartlet shells. Another idea is to buy a sheet of puff pastry, cut it into small squares, and press them into a mini muffin tin to form little cups before filling.
Can I Use A Different Nut?
Of course. Pistachios are great, but chopped pecans or walnuts would be equally delicious. Even slivered almonds would add a nice crunch. Use whatever you have on hand or prefer. This is a very flexible recipe for Holiday Party Food.
Are These Holiday Party Appetizers Gluten Free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten free because the phyllo shells are made with wheat flour. To make a gluten free version, you could serve the melted brie and cranberry sauce on top of your favorite gluten free crackers instead.
Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
These easy Cranberry Brie Bites are a simple and elegant holiday appetizer. Creamy brie, tangy cranberry, and crunchy pistachios are baked in crispy phyllo shells for a flavorful bite that’s ready in about 15 minutes.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Cut the brie into 24 small pieces and arrange the frozen phyllo shells on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Place one piece of brie into each phyllo shell, nestling it down so it sits flat.
- Top each piece of brie with about one teaspoon of the whole berry cranberry sauce.
- Sprinkle the chopped pistachios evenly over the cranberry sauce.
- Bake for about 6 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, and the shells are golden brown.
- Carefully remove from the oven and serve immediately while the cheese is warm and gooey.
Notes
You can assemble these bites ahead of time. Prepare them up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours before baking.
Feel free to get creative. You could use camembert or goat cheese instead of brie, or try fig jam as a substitute for cranberry sauce.
For an extra touch, garnish the baked bites with a tiny sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for added aroma and color.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
