Puff Pastry Brie Bites - 4 Easy Sweet & Savory Appetizers

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These Puff Pastry Brie Bites are baked in four easy ways - two sweet and two savory! They make the perfect appetizer for holidays or cozy gatherings.

Plate of puff pastry brie bites served four ways with wine and pears in the background.

Golden, flaky puff pastry meets creamy, melty brie in these irresistible puff pastry brie bites. Instead of baking them in muffin tins, these are made vol au vent style, creating elegant little pastry cups right on your baking sheet. They’re crisp, buttery, and easy to fill with your favorite sweet or savory toppings. I’m sharing four versions today, two sweet and two savory, so you can mix, match, or bake them all. Perfect for the holidays, cozy gatherings, or whenever you want a fancy yet effortless appetizer that wows your guests without stress.

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Why You’ll Love These Puff Pastry Brie Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Vol au Vent Style Brie Bites (Step-by-Step)
Four Easy Sweet & Savory Appetizers
How to Customize Your Brie Bites
Pro Tips for Perfect Puff Pastry Brie Bites
Questions You Might Have
Puff Pastry Brie Bites - 4 Easy Sweet & Savory Appetizers

Why You’ll Love These Puff Pastry Brie Bites

Flaky and creamy perfection: Buttery puff pastry paired with soft, melted brie creates the most irresistible texture in every bite.
Sweet and savory variety: Four easy flavor options make these brie puff pastry bites perfect for any taste or occasion.
No special tools required: Forget muffin tins. These are baked vol au vent style right on your baking sheet.
Effortlessly elegant and make-ahead friendly: They look beautiful enough for holidays or parties and can be prepared ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Trader Joe’s puff pastry box with a wedge of brie, egg wash, and pastry brush on a striped napkin.

Ingredients for puff pastry brie bites including apple pie spread, hot honey, balsamic glaze, caramelized onions, pancetta, and pecans arranged on a marble counter.

Puff pastry: Store-bought puff pastry, thawed until flexible but still cold for the best rise.
Brie cheese: Use a triple cream brie for an extra luscious melt. I’ve also tried petite breakfast brie with great results. You can keep the rind on or trim it off depending on your preference.
Egg yolk wash: One egg yolk mixed with about a tablespoon of water. It gives the pastry a deep golden color and a smooth finish without the stringy texture from the egg white.
Sweet fillings: Cranberry sauce or apple pie jam add a cozy, festive touch.
Savory fillings: Caramelized onions or crispy pancetta bring rich, savory flavor.
Toppings: Chopped nuts, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze for extra texture and flavor.

How to Make Vol au Vent Style Brie Bites (Step-by-Step)

Puff pastry sheet cut into small squares on a wooden board with knife and rolling pin, ready for baking. — 1. Cut the pastry

Puff pastry squares with center cutouts using a round and a square with a pairing knife to form vol-au-vent shapes. — 1. Cut the pastry

Cut the pastry: Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 16 small squares (about 2 to 2.5 inches). Work quickly so the pastry stays cold and easy to handle.
Punch out centers: From half of the squares, use a small cutter to remove the centers. If you don’t have a cutter, use a paring knife to cut out a smaller square, leaving about a ¼-inch border.
Assemble the layers: Place the solid squares on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush all the pastry pieces with the egg yolk wash, then layer one pastry ring on top of each base. Brushing them all first helps the rings stick easily and gives even browning.
Dock the center: Use a fork to gently poke the center of each pastry base to prevent excessive puffing inside.
Chill before baking: Place the tray in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Chilling helps the layers stay defined and rise evenly.
Bake the shells: Bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Add the brie and fillings: Gently press down the center of each pastry to make room for the brie. Fill with small pieces of triple cream or breakfast brie and your chosen sweet or savory toppings.
Warm until melty: Return to the oven for 5 to 8 minutes, just until the cheese softens and everything is warmed through.
Garnish and serve: Finish with chopped nuts, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze for a beautiful finish.

Baked puff pastry shells filled with small pieces of brie cheese before the final bake.

Spoon adding cranberry sauce filling to brie-filled puff pastry bites on a baking sheet.

Four Easy Sweet & Savory Appetizers

Sweet Options
- Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites: Creamy brie with cranberry sauce and toasted pecans. Festive and tangy for the holidays.
- Apple Pie Jam Brie Bites: Warm apple jam with brie and toasted pecans, finished with a drizzle of honey or cinnamon sugar.
Savory Options
- Caramelized Onion Brie Bites: Sweet caramelized onions with brie, chives, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Rich and buttery.
- Crispy Pancetta Brie Bites: Crispy pancetta with brie, topped with chives and a drizzle of hot honey. Savory with a hint of heat.

How to Customize Your Brie Bites

Swap jams or sauces: Try fig, apricot, or berry preserves for sweet versions.
Switch up the savory fillings: Bacon, prosciutto, or caramelized mushrooms all work beautifully.
Add texture: Top with nuts, seeds, or candied pecans for crunch.
Play with herbs: Rosemary, thyme, or sage add a fresh touch to savory bites.
Mix and match sweet and savory: Pair something sweet like apple jam with savory elements like pancetta.

Golden puff pastry brie bites baking on a parchment-lined sheet pan with sweet and savory fillings.

Pro Tips for Perfect Puff Pastry Brie Bites

Keep the pastry cold: Don’t keep puff pastry in the fridge for too long. Store it in the freezer and thaw it overnight in the fridge on the day you plan to bake. If it sits in the fridge for more than 24 hours, it can soften too much and bake unevenly.
Flour the surface lightly: When you first unroll the puff pastry, it may feel a little sticky. Sprinkle a pinch or two of flour before flattening it gently with a rolling pin. This prevents sticking and helps create even layers.
Make cutting easier: If the pastry feels too soft while cutting into squares or punching out centers, pop it into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. It will firm up and be much easier to handle.
Lightly brush with egg wash: A thin, even coat is all you need. Too much can drip down the sides and seal the pastry layers, preventing them from puffing properly.
Cool before filling: Let the baked vol au vent cases cool for about 5 minutes before adding brie. This prevents the pastry from becoming soggy, helps preserve its crisp texture, and allows the cases to set fully.
Don’t overfill: A little goes a long way. For sweet fillings, use about a heaping teaspoon as a reference to prevent overflow.
Chill before baking: Freeze assembled shells for 10 to 15 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
Bake by color and puff: Every oven is different. Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, usually around 13 to 17 minutes.

Close-up of puff pastry brie bites on a plate showing flaky layers and assorted sweet and savory toppings.

Questions You Might Have

Why didn’t my shells rise?

The most common reasons are warm pastry, sealed layers from egg wash, or dough that’s been handled too much. Puff pastry also loses its lift if it’s been sitting in the fridge too long. Keep it cold so the butter can create steam, brush lightly to avoid sealing the edges, and bake within 24 hours of thawing for the best rise.

How do I keep the puff pastry from getting soggy?

Cool the baked shells before adding the brie and fillings. This helps them stay crisp and lets the pastry set fully before adding moisture-rich toppings.

Can I make these puff pastry brie bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the shells a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. When ready to serve, warm them in the oven at 325°F for about 5 minutes or until crisp and heated through, then add the brie and toppings.

What other fillings can I use?

For sweet versions, try fig, apricot, or berry jam. For savory ones, roasted red peppers, bacon, or caramelized mushrooms work beautifully.

These little puff pastry brie bites prove that fancy doesn’t have to mean complicated. Whether you bake one flavor or all four, they’re guaranteed to impress and disappear fast. Flaky, buttery, and perfectly melty, they’re the kind of appetizer you’ll want to make again and again - simple enough for a cozy night in, yet special enough for any holiday table.