Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect holiday appetizer, combining creamy brie cheese, tart cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent roll dough! Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday party or simply want an easy appetizer, this very easy recipe is a quick crowd-pleaser for any gathering!
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Cranberry Brie Bites are a stunning and surprisingly easy holiday appetizer to make! The combination of melty brie cheese with sweet cranberry sauce wrapped in buttery crescent dough creates an irresistible treat.
I made a double batch of these to take to a party recently and had to keep swatting Paul and the girls away because they were trying to sneak them when I wasn’t looking.
What makes Cranberry Brie Bites so great is their versatility and ease – simple enough for a quick weeknight snack but elegant enough to serve at a holiday party. Plus, they are a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce in a new way during the holiday season!
Love cranberries? You won’t want to miss my other delicious cranberry creations, such as Cranberry Salsa with Cream Cheese, White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Fudge, Cranberry Sauce Muffins, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, and Cranberry Fluff Salad!
Why We Love This Recipe
- These Cranberry Brie Bites are incredibly easy to make, taking just minutes to assemble and bake, making them a perfect last-minute appetizer for holiday parties or family gatherings!
- The combination of creamy brie, sweet-tart cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent roll dough creates the ultimate blend of textures and flavors in every bite.
- You can customize these bites with various toppings like pecans, rosemary, or even a drizzle of honey, making them adaptable to your taste preferences or whatever you have in your pantry!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Crescent Roll Dough – The flaky, buttery base that holds everything together. If you prefer, you can substitute with puff pastry or mini phyllo cups for a slightly different texture.
- Brie Cheese – Creamy, rich, and melty when baked. Don’t remove the white rind – it adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- Whole Cranberry Sauce – Sweet and tangy cranberry sauce complements the brie perfectly. You can use Homemade Cranberry Sauce, leftover cranberry sauce, or substitute with a favorite jam like apricot or raspberry.
- Chopped Pecans – Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Feel free to swap for walnuts, pistachios, or almonds if that’s more your style.
- Rosemary – Fresh rosemary sprigs add a festive touch and a hint of herby flavor to balance the richness of the cheese and sweetness of the sauce.
How to Make Easy Cranberry Brie Bites
- Prepare equipment. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Spray a 24-count mini muffin pan with cooking spray to ensure the bites don’t stick.
- Roll and slice dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll out your crescent roll dough, pressing together the seams. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 even squares, and place squares of dough into each muffin cup, making sure to gently press it down to form a little cup of dough.
- Assemble. Next, slice your brie into 24 pieces and place a cube of brie in each dough cup. Add a teaspoon of cranberry sauce on top of the brie, followed by a sprinkle of chopped pecans and a small sprig of rosemary.
- Bake. Place your assembled bites into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is beautifully melted. Let the bites cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan. Serve them warm for the best flavor.
Recipe FAQ’s
Definitely! Flaky puff pastry will give these little bites a delightfully delicate texture. Just follow the same steps, but keep an eye on them while baking, as puff pastry may cook a bit faster.
You can swap pecans for walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. If you’re looking for a nut-free option, skip the nuts altogether, and these bites will still be delicious!
Absolutely! You can prep the crescent roll dough and brie in the muffin cups up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep them in the fridge and add the cranberry sauce, pecans, and rosemary right before baking.
Store any leftover bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back that flaky, crispy texture.
Yes! You can freeze Cranberry Brie Bites for up to 2 months. After baking, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to enjoy, reheat them straight from frozen in the oven.
Tips for Success
- For a cranberry sauce that really wows, ditch the jar and go with my Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe – it’s pure magic in every bite!
- Make sure to let the bites cool for about 10 minutes after baking to ensure they hold their shape and don’t fall apart when you take them out of the muffin tin.
- Using a pizza cutter is much easier than using a knife and ensures all your crescent dough squares are uniform, so they bake evenly.
- Cold brie is easier to slice into even pieces, which makes assembly quicker and cleaner.
- Feel free to experiment with different jams, nuts, or even adding a drizzle of honey on top for an extra layer of flavor.
What to Serve with Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites
These Cranberry Brie Bites pair wonderfully with a variety of other holiday appetizers, such as Bacon-Wrapped Scallops, Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket, and Candied Bacon!
For a more substantial spread, offer these bites as part of a festive Charcuterie Board loaded with crackers, cured meats, and other cheeses to give your guests plenty of snacking options!
Substitutions and Variations
- If you prefer a flakier texture, puff pastry dough is a great substitute for crescent roll dough if you prefer a lighter, crispier bite.
- If melted brie cheese isn’t your thing, goat cheese or even cream cheese works well. The creamy texture pairs wonderfully with cranberry sauce.
- Not a fan of cranberry sauce? Use cranberry jelly instead, or a different jam entirely such as apricot jam, raspberry jam, or orange marmalade! And a spicy pepper jelly will give these easy bites a unique twist!
- Swap pecans for other nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios, or leave the nuts out entirely for a nut-free version.
- For a different herb twist, try using thyme or a tiny drizzle of balsamic glaze instead of rosemary.
More Cranberry Recipes You’ll Love
- Cranberry Cheesecake
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Festive Cranberry Coconut Cake
- Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread
- Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping
- White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
- Easy Cranberry Apple Pie
- Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars
Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) tube crescent roll dough
- 1 (8-ounce) wheel brie
- ½ cup whole cranberry sauce
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 6 sprigs rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 24-count mini muffin pan with baking spray.
- Roll out crescent roll dough on a lightly floured surface, pressing seams together. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into 24 squares. Place each square in one of the cups of the muffin pan.
- Slice the brie into 24 pieces and place one in each of the muffin cups on top of the crescent roll dough. Top with a spoonful of the cranberry sauce, a few chopped pecans, and a 1-inch piece of rosemary.
- Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm or room temperature.
Notes
- Nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, or almonds would all be great in place of pecans.
- Don’t remove the white rind from the brie. It’s edible and ads wonderful flavor.
- Dough Substitute: If you prefer, you can make these with puff pastry dough or even mini phyllo cups instead of crescent roll dough. I’ve tried them with each and just prefer the crescent roll dough approach.
- Cranberry Sauce Substitute: Instead of cranberry sauce, try your favorite jam (I personally love apricot for these little bites), pepper jelly, or marmalade.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store: Keep leftover bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freeze: Arrange the baked bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until firm, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziploc bag for up to two months. Thaw for 30 minutes on a baking sheet before serving or reheating.
- Reheat: To reheat, bake the bites in a 350°F oven or air fryer for about 5-10 minutes, or until warm and crispy.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the dough and brie up to 24 hours ahead of time, refrigerating until ready to bake. Add toppings just before baking to keep everything fresh and delicious.
