Last Modified: · This post may contain affiliate links
Every holiday season, as I plan my menus, I'm delighted to recall the rich and creamy delight of baked brie! This classic appetizer has long graced the tables of dinner parties and gatherings, tricking guests into thinking you did something fancy to produce that gorgeous blend of creamy, savory, golden brown cheese and it's perfect pairings. When searching for great options to complement your brie, the choices are as diverse as they are delicious.
How to Use This List
- Scan the first section for inspiration of toppings and pairings.
- Find simple recipes for fruit preserves and crunchy candied & spiced toppings
- If you don't want to mix and match on your own, choose from the full recipes below, which are divided by sweet and savory recipes
Basic Toppings
Almost every recipe calls for some combination of these ingredients:
- A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- Fragrant woody herbs - fresh rosemary & thyme
- Crunchy nuts - pecans & walnuts are the most common
- Find recipes featuring all of these and more below
Best Fruits to Pair with Brie
You're looking for fruits with not only sweetness, but also a tangy flavor to pair with the savory melted cheese. You can put these on top of the brie or serve them on the side. Either way works great!
- Fresh or Roasted Peaches
- Fresh, Dried, Roasted Apricots
- Fresh, Dried, or Roasted Figs
- Fresh or Roasted Grapes
- Fresh or Roasted Plums
- Tart cranberries or cherries
- Apples & Pears
- Find recipes featuring all of these and more below
Breads and Crackers
I really could list 100 options here. Anything crusty, crunchy, and stiff will be the perfect vehicle to deliver the thick, creamy texture and richness of the brie to your waiting palate!
- Czech Chleba bread with caraway seeds
- Baguette slices or any other crusty bread
- Seed crackers, butter crackers, crusty
Make a Charcuterie Board
Daniela uses baked brie as a centerpiece to her Czech Charcuterie Board. Together, they make a complete meal her guests can snack on all day and into long, cozy evenings. Check it out.
p.s. One more thing before I start - Yes! The rind is edible! 😉
Recipes for Toppings
Below, you'll find recipes for some of the most common (and exciting) toppings!
Jams, Compotes, and Chutneys
Fresh preserves and jams are common toppings for baked brie, as their sweet flavors swirl into the melty cheese making an irresistible (and beautiful!) sweet and savory combination.
Raspberry Freezer Jam
Cooks in 30 minutes
The BEST homemade raspberry jam that requires just four simple ingredients and will last in the freezer for up to one year!
55 votes 4.9 Cuisine: American, Fruit
Apricot Jam
Cooks in 120 minutes
You will love this classic recipe for Apricot Jam, made with sweet, ripe, juicy apricots at the height of their season. It is the ultimate way to preserve this delicious stone fruit to enjoy throughout the coming months. All you need are three ingredients to make this delicious jam: just fresh apricots, sugar and lemon juice - no pectin is required.
507 votes 4.9 Cuisine: International
Easy Fig Jam Recipe
Cooks in 40 minutes
Super simple to make, Easy Fig Jam is summer's sweetest gift!
31 votes 4.8 Cuisine: American
BEST Mango Chutney
Cooks in 75 minutes
Delicious as sweet and spicy spread or dipping sauce and wonderful added to your curry sauces!
141 votes 5.0 Cuisine: Indian
Apple and Pear Compote
Cooks in 25 minutes
This apple and pear compote is a flavorful recipe, and full of sweet fruit. Made without refined sugar, it's perfect for a dessert by itself or to top other dishes.
10 votes 4.9 Cuisine: American, British
For Extra Crunch: Sweet and/or Spicy Toppings
A lot of people like a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese. With these recipes, you'll also introduce a little sweet or spicy into the mix as well!
5 minute Candied Walnuts
Cooks in 10 minutes
Toss these caramelized walnuts into your salad, over popcorn, or straight into your mouth. Crunch. Crunch. I love this easy method of making the candied nuts where everything goes into the pan at once. Other methods I've tried left me with globs of candy on the nuts rather than a more even coating. It also roasts the nuts at the same time so you don't have to pre-toast them, then add them back to the pan to be coated, blah, blah. Who needs extra steps? It seriously takes about 5 minutes on the stove and 5 minutes to cool. P.S. This recipe can easily be doubled.
629 votes 4.9 Cuisine: American
Candied Pecans
Cooks in 5 minutes
These Stovetop Candied Pecans are a quick and easy way to make sweet coated pecans for salads, snacking, and more!
215 votes 4.6 Cuisine: American
The BEST Crispy Spiced Nuts Recipe
Cooks in 20 minutes
These spiced nuts with cinnamon and chili are a great fall or holiday snack, appetizer or gift. The maple and spice coating is made with egg whites which gives them the best crispy texture!
13 votes 4.8 Cuisine: American
How to Roast Sunflower Seeds
Cooks in 10 minutes
An easy recipe for how to roast sunflower seeds in the oven or on the stove. Add to salads, snack mixes, and baked goods or blend into allergen-friendly sunflower seed butter.
36 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American
Putting it All Together
Recipes for Classic Brie Pairings
Baked Brie with Roasted Grapes
Cooks in 55 minutes
A soft, warm brie is complemented by the sweet and earthy flavors of roasted grapes, and a balsamic vinegar reduction with rosemary. A showstopper appetizer!
22 votes 4.2
Baked Brie with Apples
Cooks in 30 minutes
Baked Brie with Apples is one of the best appetizers you'll ever try! This easy recipe takes only 30 minutes and will add colors and vibrancy to any dinner menu! The apples are caramelized with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and honey and then added on top of melting brie cheese. This is a vegetarian and gluten-free recipe.
84 votes 4.9 Cuisine: American, French
Brown Sugar Brie
Cooks in 30 minutes
Brown Sugar Brie is covered in a mixture of brown sugar and pecans. Serve it warm and gooey right out of the oven and it will be the hit of any party.
12 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American, French
Honey Nut Baked Brie
Cooks in 25 minutes
Hot and melty Honey Nut Baked Brie will be your go-to appetizer for the holiday season and beyond. It is creamy, crunchy, and sweet, plus so easy to make in just a few minutes with only four ingredients! Get your favorite crackers, apple slices, and taste buds ready for a fantastic treat because you'll go "nuts" for it.
19 votes 4.8 Cuisine: American
Baked Brie
Cooks in 18 minutes
Recipe video above. The world's fastest finger food, this is like the best cheese dip in the world with wow factor! Just pop a brie in the oven for 15 minutes or microwave on high for 2 minutes (seriously, no one will EVER know). Use a budget brie or camember for this, top end brie would be wasted on this recipe.Excellent shared entree or party food that's really quick and easy to prepare. Be sure to use sturdy plain or flavoured crackers, or crostini for scooping. Wafer thin crackers and chips tend to break.
29 votes 5.0 Cuisine: Western
Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Cooks in 25 minutes
This warm Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce is the perfect easy appetizer for any season. It's just the right amount of tart and sweet! {gluten free}
20 votes 4.9 Cuisine: American
Recipes for Savory or Spicy Baked Bries
Baked Brie with Hot Honey
Cooks in 17 minutes
Sweet and salty, this baked brie with hot honey makes a quick and easy appetizer. It's delicious served with meats, crackers and fresh fruit.
34 votes 4.9 Cuisine: American
Garlic and Herb Baked Brie
Cooks in 25 minutes
This Garlic and Herb Baked Brie topped with fresh herbs and loads of garlic is the ultimate appetizer for garlic lovers! It is elegant enough for holiday gatherings and easy enough for casual get-togethers.
Cuisine: American
Garlic and Red Pepper Baked Brie Recipe
Cooks in 30 minutes
This is the best Baked Brie recipe, hands down. Theres a secret trick to infuse the whole wheel of cheese with tremendous flavor. Its pretty cool, and very tasty.Serve with sliced French bread or water crackers.
1 vote 5.0 Cuisine: American
Savory Baked Brie Appetizer With Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Cooks in 25 minutes
Savory Baked Brie Appetizer With Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipe - the easiest, festive, flavorful and delicious appetizer, perfect for the holidays. Topped with bacon, toasted pine nuts and basil.
2 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American
Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions
Cooks in 1 hour 25 minutes
This baked brie is topped with balsamic caramelized onions and wrapped in puff pastry, making for an elegant yet warm and cozy appetizer!
Cuisine: French
Baked Brie with Pesto & Sundried Tomatoes
A savory twist on baked brie has it topped with pesto, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts. Included are several tips for serving.
18 votes 4.8
One Step Further: Wrap It All in Puff Pastry
Baked Brie en Croûte with Honey, Dried Cherries, Pecans & Rosemary
Cooks in 40 minutes
Voila! Party-perfect baked brie en croûte—plus a foolproof method for wrapping the cheese that makes this appetizer a showstopper.
223 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American, French
Let's End with Something REALLY Fun...
Chocolate and Brie Panini
Cooks in 7 minutes
Calling all crazy food combo lovers! Dont miss this sweet and savory recipe for Chocolate and Brie Panini.
2 votes 5.0 Cuisine: American
