If you’re searching for a festive, elegant, and incredibly easy holiday appetizer, these Cranberry Brie & Pistachio Bites are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy.
Golden puff pastry holds a warm, melty cube of Brie, topped with bright cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of roasted pistachios for the ultimate holiday flavor explosion. Each bite is buttery, tangy, nutty, sweet, and completely irresistible.
Perfect for Christmas parties, New Year’s gatherings, holiday dinners, and winter entertaining, these little bites look absolutely stunning on a tray — yet they only take minutes to assemble. They’re the kind of appetizer that guests rave about and always reach for seconds.
Why You’ll Love Cranberry Brie & Pistachio Bites
- Elegant appetizer with minimal effort
- Perfect blend of creamy Brie, tart cranberries, and crunchy pistachios
- Uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Great for parties, gatherings, and festive boards
- Bite-sized, portable, and delicious warm or room temp
- Looks gourmet without the work
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This appetizer brings all the classic holiday flavors together in one perfect bite. The buttery puff pastry becomes golden and flaky, the Brie melts into a silky center, the cranberry sauce adds tangy sweetness, and pistachios provide the ideal crunchy finale. These bites look impressive, taste incredible, and come together faster than most appetizers — making them a must-have for your holiday menu.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup whole berry cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
- ¼ cup chopped roasted pistachios
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 egg (for egg wash — optional)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh rosemary
- Orange zest
- Extra honey drizzle
How to Make Cranberry Brie & Pistachio Bites (Detailed)
1. Prepare the Pastry
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly flour your surface and unfold the puff pastry sheet.
Cut into 12–16 squares.
2. Fill the Mini Wells
Place each square into a mini muffin tin, gently pressing down to form a cup.
Add one cube of Brie to the center of each pastry cup.
3. Add Cranberry Sauce
Top each piece of Brie with about ½ teaspoon cranberry sauce.
4. Sprinkle Pistachios
Add a pinch of chopped pistachios on top.
(For extra shine, drizzle a tiny bit of honey.)
5. Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
6. Cool & Serve
Let cool slightly before removing from the pan.
Serve warm, room temp, or drizzled with honey and garnished with rosemary.
Nutritional Information (Estimated per bite)
- Calories: 120
- Carbs: 10g
- Fat: 7g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 3g
Tips for the Best Cranberry Brie & Pistachio Bites
- Use cold puff pastry — it bakes flakier.
- Don’t overfill the cups with cranberry sauce.
- Use good-quality Brie for best flavor.
- Cut pastry into even squares for uniform baking.
- Add pistachios after baking for extra crunch (optional).
- Serve warm for the creamiest texture.
Variations & Substitutions
- Cranberry Orange Brie Bites: Add orange zest to the cranberry topping.
- Maple-Pecan Brie Bites: Swap pistachios for pecans + maple drizzle.
- Honey Walnut Brie Bites: Use honey and chopped walnuts.
- Fig & Brie Bites: Replace cranberry with fig jam.
- Savory Herb Version: Add thyme or rosemary to the Brie.
- Gluten-Free: Use GF puff pastry.
What to Serve with These Bites
- Holiday charcuterie boards
- Christmas cocktail parties
- Sparkling wine or champagne
- Roasted nuts
- Simple green salads
- Cranberry punch
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much Brie: It can overflow. Small cubes work best.
- Not greasing muffin tin: Pastry can stick — use nonstick spray.
- Letting pastry warm too much: Cold pastry = best puff.
- Skipping the honey drizzle: Adds amazing balance and shine.
Storing Tips
- Best served fresh.
- Refrigerate leftovers for 2–3 days.
- Reheat in oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to crisp.
- Avoid microwaving — pastry becomes soft.
- Freeze unbaked bites for easy make-ahead entertaining.
Conclusion
These Cranberry Brie & Pistachio Bites are elegant, flavorful, festive, and incredibly easy to make — the perfect appetizer for all your holiday celebrations. With buttery pastry, melty Brie, bright cranberry, and crunchy pistachio, each bite delivers the magic of Christmas in one warm, golden, irresistible package. Guests will rave. You’ll make them again and again.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I use crescent dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes — they’ll be softer but still delicious.
Can I make these ahead?
Assemble and refrigerate, then bake right before serving.
Can I use brie with rind?
Yes — the rind melts beautifully.
Can I use jam instead of cranberry sauce?
Absolutely — fig, raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam are great options.
Why did my bites get soggy?
Too much cranberry sauce or storing in airtight containers while warm.