This Baked Brie with Hot Honey is a creamy, melty appetizer topped with spicy honey, rosemary, nuts, and cranberries. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s an easy yet impressive addition to any gathering, perfect with crackers or apple slices.
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Baked Brie is the ultimate indulgent appetizer, oozing cheesy goodness with every slice. It's sophisticated yet simple, making it a go-to for any special occasion.
What makes this honey baked brie extra special? The hot chili honey drizzle adds a perfect touch of warmth and sweetness, creating a flavor balance that’s nothing short of addictive. To make it even more impressive, pair it with sides like broccoli soup for a cozy, creamy addition or green bean casserole for a holiday-inspired twist. Crusty bread is perfect for dipping, while appetizers like spring rolls, Lumpiang Shanghai, or even crab rangoon offer a crunchy contrast that complements the rich, melty brie.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Quick and Easy – With minimal prep and just a few ingredients, this appetizer is effortlessly impressive.
- Versatile Pairing Options – Goes wonderfully with crackers, apple slices, or gluten-free veggie sticks for guests with dietary restrictions.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Creamy, sweet, spicy, and crunchy all in one—perfect for any gathering.
- Adaptable Cooking Method – This baked brie recipe can be made in the oven or adapted for the air fryer.
- Unique Flavor Profile – The combination of warm brie, spicy honey, and cranberries creates a balanced flavor that’s unforgettable.
- Elegant Presentation – Despite being easy to make, it looks as impressive as any gourmet appetizer.
What is Brie?
Brie (pronounced “bree”) is a soft, creamy cheese originating from the Brie region in France, where it’s been enjoyed for centuries. Known for its mild, buttery flavor and creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, it’s often served on cheese boards, paired with fruits, nuts, and bread, or baked to enhance its meltiness and flavor.
Brie has grown immensely popular worldwide, showing up in everything from holiday cheese boards to baked recipes like this one. Its rind, which is completely edible, adds a delicate earthy taste that complements the cheese's rich interior. The flavor is mild enough to pair with just about any topping, making it ideal for recipes like hot honey baked brie, where spices, sweet honey, and crunchy nuts can shine.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- Double or triple cream brie – For the best texture, go for a high-quality, creamy brie.
- Rosemary – Adds an earthy, aromatic touch to the dish.
- Dried cranberries or craisins – These add a touch of sweetness and a bit of chewiness.
- Mixed nuts– Pecans, walnuts, or almonds are all great choices to add crunch.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Drizzle this over the top for a smooth, lightly flavored finishing touch.
- Hot chili honey – This spicy-sweet honey drizzle elevates the entire dish.
- Pinch of salt & pepper – To season the cheese and bring out its natural flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Maple Syrup – Substitute hot honey with maple syrup for a milder sweetness.
- Pecans or Almonds – Experiment with different nuts like pecans or almonds to change the crunch and flavor profile.
- Fresh Thyme or Sage – Substitute rosemary with fresh thyme or sage for a different herbaceous note.
- Fig Jam – Instead of cranberries, try adding a spoonful of fig jam for a deeper, fruity flavor.
- Gluten-Free Crackers – To make this gluten-free, serve with gluten-free crackers or fresh veggies.
How To Make Baked Brie with Hot Honey?
- Preheat the Oven or Air Fryer – Preheat your oven to 350°F or set your air fryer to 320°F.
- Prepare the Brie – Place the wheel of brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Score the Cheese – Using a sharp knife, score the top of the brie in a criss-cross pattern. This allows the toppings to sink into the cheese as it bakes.
- Season and Top – Add a pinch of salt and pepper over the brie. Sprinkle the chopped rosemary, cranberries, and nuts on top.
- Drizzle Olive Oil – Pour a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the brie for added richness and flavor.
- Bake or Air Fry – Bake for 15 minutes in the oven or about 10 minutes in the air fryer at 320°F, until the cheese is soft and melty.
- Add the Hot Honey – Remove from the oven and drizzle generously with hot chili honey for a sweet, spicy finish.
- Serve Immediately – Serve warm with apple slices, crackers, or a side of cranberry sauce for dipping.
Variations
- Brie with Maple and Walnuts – Use maple syrup instead of hot honey and swap the mixed nuts for walnuts.
- Fig and Thyme Brie – Substitute cranberries with fig jam and rosemary with thyme for an earthy twist.
- Pecan-Crusted Brie – Top with crushed pecans and drizzle with regular honey for a slightly nuttier version.
- Honey Mustard Brie – Add a touch of honey mustard for a tangy, slightly spicy bite.
- Cranberry Sauce Brie – For a holiday touch, top with cranberry sauce for a festive, sweet-tart flavor.
What To Serve With This
- Crackers – A variety of crackers work, from buttery to whole-grain, providing a sturdy and flavorful base.
- Apple Slices – The sweetness and crunch of fresh apples perfectly complement the creamy brie.
- Baguette Slices – Toasted baguette provides a crispy, hearty contrast to the warm cheese.
- Gluten-Free Crackers – Ideal for guests avoiding gluten; they pair beautifully with the cheese and honey.
- Celery Sticks – A fresh, crunchy option that adds a bit of lightness to the rich brie.
- Grapes – Sweet and juicy, grapes provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of brie.
- Carrot Sticks – Another healthy, crunchy option that works well with the hot honey flavors.
- Dried Apricots – The chewy sweetness of dried apricots pairs perfectly with both the cheese and honey.
- Pear Slices – Similar to apples, pears bring a delicate sweetness that balances the dish.
- Almonds or Pecans – Serve on the side to add extra crunch and texture.
- Pretzel Sticks – Their saltiness contrasts nicely with the creamy, spicy-sweet brie.
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce – Complements the hot honey with a tangy-sweet flavor.
How to Store Leftovers
Wrap leftover baked brie in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or in a saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes.
Expert Tips
- Score the Cheese – Scoring helps the flavors seep into the brie, enhancing the taste and ensuring it bakes evenly.
- Use Double or Triple Cream Brie – The higher fat content makes it creamier and more luxurious in texture.
- Serve Immediately – Brie is best when warm and gooey, so enjoy it as soon as it’s out of the oven.
- Experiment with Toppings – Try different nuts, dried fruits, and herbs to keep things interesting.
- Opt for Fresh Bread – Serving this with a fresh baguette or artisan bread makes a huge difference!
Recipe FAQs
A double or triple cream brie works best due to its high creaminess and meltability.
Yes, air frying at 320°F for about 10 minutes yields perfectly gooey cheese.
Yes, the rind is completely edible and adds to the flavor profile.
Bake at a moderate temperature, around 350°F, to avoid over-melting.
Absolutely! Regular honey, or even infused honey like rosemary, works well here.
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Baked Brie with Hot Honey
Ingredients
- 1 wheel Double or triple cream brie
- 1 Sprig Rosemary roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon dried cranberries or craisins
- 2 tablespoon unsalted mixed nuts roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Hot chili honey
- Pinch salt & pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven or Air Fryer – Preheat your oven to 350°F or set your air fryer to 320°F.
- Prepare the Brie – Place the wheel of brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Score the Cheese – Using a sharp knife, score the top of the brie in a criss-cross pattern. This allows the toppings to sink into the cheese as it bakes.
- Season and Top – Add a pinch of salt and pepper over the brie. Sprinkle the chopped rosemary, cranberries, and nuts on top.
- Drizzle Olive Oil – Pour a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the brie for added richness and flavor.
- Bake or Air Fry – Bake for 15 minutes in the oven or about 10 minutes in the air fryer at 320°F, until the cheese is soft and melty.
- Add the Hot Honey – Remove from the oven and drizzle generously with hot chili honey for a sweet, spicy finish.
- Serve Immediately – Serve warm with apple slices, crackers, or a side of cranberry sauce for dipping.
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Notes
- Score the Cheese – Scoring helps the flavors seep into the brie, enhancing the taste and ensuring it bakes evenly.
- Use Double or Triple Cream Brie – The higher fat content makes it creamier and more luxurious in texture.
- Serve Immediately – Brie is best when warm and gooey, so enjoy it as soon as it’s out of the oven.
- Experiment with Toppings – Try different nuts, dried fruits, and herbs to keep things interesting.
- Opt for Fresh Bread – Serving this with a fresh baguette or artisan bread makes a huge difference!
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