Mini Brie Bites with Cranberry Orange Relish | Easy Trader Joe’s Appetizer Idea
by Alina Orozco
Jump to RecipeIf you’re looking for east appetizer idea for the holidays, it doesn’t get any better than these mini brie bites with cranberry orange relish.
Why You’ll Love This Trader Joe’s Mini Brie Bites Appetizer
I’ve now made them several times and they were a hit with everyone. The flaky puff pastry pairs perfectly with the creamy brie cheese, and the addition of the cranberry and a touch of thyme truly makes this next level appetizer.
The best part though, is that it takes about 20 minutes to make and requires minimal ingredients. All of which you can pick up at Trader Joe’s this season.
Ingredients To Make Mini Brie Bites with Cranberry Orange Relish
(makes 16-18 mini brie bites)
- Package of Puff Pastry
- Cranberry Orange Relish
- egg
- brie
- handful of fresh thyme (otional)
Scroll down for the recipe and details.
How to Make Brie Bites with Puff Pastry
If you’re not a fan of puff pastry, you can make these cranberry brie bites with phyllo dough, or you can do cranberry brie bites with Pillsbury crescent rolls.
You could even try them with a baguette, and skip the baking all together. For a gluten-free option, you can serve these on sweet potato wedges!
However, I have to admit that mini brie bites with cranberry orange relish taste the best with the puff pastry. If you’re nervous about using this ready-made dough, don’t be. It’s easy. All you need is a pizza cutter ( but a regular knife would do), and an egg.
Puff pastry should be easy to work with once you defrost in your fridge before using. Then roll it out, and for this recipe you’ll need to cut your pastry into bite size portions.
Once cut, brush each square with egg wash, very lightly and then double up your squares by placing one on top of each other. This creates a nice height for your cranberry brie appetizer.
Then toss in the oven and follow the instruction on the box. That’s it. You’ve prepared your puff pastry!
Mini Brie Bites with Cranberry Orange Relish
Ingredients
- 1 lb Puff Pastry
- 1/2 cup Cranberry Orange Relish
- 1 Egg (beaten) 1/2 lb
- 1/2 lb brie cheese (cut into small squares)
- handful of fresh thyme (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
- Place your puff pastry on a clean work surface and cut into squares. Lightly brush all squares with egg wash, then place one square on top of the other to make 16-18 stacks, each with 2 squares of pastry.
- Place on prepared sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake until puffed and golden, about 13-15 minutes. ( Check direction on your puff pastry package).
- Remove baking sheet from oven and top each puffed square with a piece of brie cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts, about 3 minutes. ( Keep an eye on your pastry, may only need a few minutes).
- Place on a serving platter and top each with a small spoonful of cranberry orange relish and a small sprig of thyme for garnish. Serve immediately.
Additional Notes About This Brie Appetizer
Can I Make Brie Bites without Cranberries?
Yep! If you’re not a fan of cranberry orange relish, I would suggest using raspberry or strawberry jelly or maybe even apple butter. Trader Joe’s sells a pumpkin butter during the holiday season and I bet these mini brie bites with cranberry orange relish would taste amazing with pumpkin butter as substitute for your Thanksgiving appetizer. If you do try a variation of this brie cheese bites, I’d love to hear about them!
Can You Make This Brie Appetizer Ahead of Time?
While these mini brie bites with cranberry orange relish are delicious, they are meant to be eaten right away. Right out of the oven, while the puff pastry is perfectly flaky and the brie is creamy and soft. The brie cheese hardens later and it doesn’t quite taste as yummy.