Air-Fried Baked Brie: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Appetizer

Baked brie is a delicious, gooey, cheesy treat, and it turns out that an air fryer is the perfect way to make it. It's quicker than using an oven, and you still get the same delicious, melty cheese. You can also get creative with toppings, wrapping the brie in puff pastry or crescent dough, and serving it with crackers, fruit, or honey.

How to make baked brie in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 wheel of brie cheese (8 oz)
• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1/4 cup of fruit preserves (optional)
• 2 tbsp of toasted nuts (optional)
• 1 egg
• 1-2 tbsp of water

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
• Unroll the puff pastry and place the brie in the centre. Do not cut away the rind of the cheese.
• If desired, top the brie with the preserves and nuts.
• Bring the corners of the pastry up and over the brie, gathering them at the top. Pinch the edges of the pastry together tightly to seal them.
• In a small dish, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the egg onto the pastry in an even layer.
• Carefully place the wrapped brie into the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and slightly puffed.
• Allow the brie to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• If your brie comes in a wooden box, you can place the cheese back into the box and transfer it into the air fryer.
• If your brie does not come with a box, place it on a piece of parchment paper.
• You can use a variety of toppings for your brie, such as brown sugar and pecans, fruit like strawberries or cranberries, or a savoury option like pepper jelly.
• For a shiny, golden colour on your pastry, brush the outside with an egg wash before placing it in the air fryer.
• Be sure to cook the brie with the pastry seam-side up to prevent the cheese from seeping out.
• Allow the brie to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let the cheese set before slicing into it.

What to serve with baked brie

Baked brie is a classic appetizer and a definite crowd-pleaser. It can be served as a standalone dish, but it also goes well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with baked brie:

• Fruits: Fresh fruits such as apple slices, pear slices, grapes, and stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, and plums complement the creamy texture of melted brie. They can be served raw or cooked. For instance, you can make a pear compote by simmering pears with water and sugar until the fruit softens and the liquid turns syrupy.
• Bread and Crackers: Toasted baguette slices, also known as crostini, are a perfect pairing for baked brie. Plain bread, such as sourdough, can also be served alongside. For a low-carb option, try keto or seeded crackers.
• Nuts: Almonds, pecans, walnuts, and candied nuts add a crunchy texture to the creamy brie.
• Meats: Cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and sopressa pair well with the mild flavour of brie.
• Condiments: Jams and jellies, especially fig jam, apricot jam, and raspberry jam, are excellent accompaniments. You can also try caramelised onions, either baked under the top crust or served on the side.
• Salads: A large salad can be served alongside baked brie to make it a full meal. Try a fig salad with blue cheese, or a frisée salad with poached eggs, bacon, and croutons.
• Unconventional pairings: For something different, try serving baked brie with gingersnap cookies or pretzel chips.

How to reheat baked brie

Baked brie is a delicious appetizer, but what happens when you have leftovers? Here are some tips for reheating baked brie to achieve that delightful melty texture all over again.

Reheating in the Microwave

The microwave is a quick and easy option for reheating your baked brie. Simply heat it in 20-30 second increments until the centre is warm and gooey again. This method is especially useful if you don't want to move the cheese from its serving plate.

Reheating in the Air Fryer

If you want to achieve a similar texture and taste to when the brie was first cooked, you can always reheat it in the air fryer. Place the brie (with parchment) back into the air fryer and heat at 325ºF (160ºC) for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Reheating with a Heat Gun

If you have access to a heat gun, this is a unique but effective way to reheat your brie. Give the cheese a quick blast, around 20-30 seconds, moving the gun around to prevent scorching. This method also allows you to keep the brie on its serving plate.

Storage

Leftover baked brie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat using one of the methods above until soft and gooey.

How to wrap the brie

First, you'll need to select your wrapping. You can use a sheet of puff pastry, which can be found in the frozen section of the grocery store, or crescent dough, which can be purchased pre-made. If you opt for puff pastry, let it defrost on the counter until it's soft enough to unfold without tearing. If you go for crescent dough, you'll need to peel the paper off the canister and separate the dough into two halves.

Now it's time to prep your brie. If you're using a wheel of brie, simply place it in the centre of your chosen wrapping. If you're using a slice or wedge of brie, you'll need to place it in a heat-safe bowl first. Score the brie by cutting into the rind with a knife.

Next, wrap the brie. If using puff pastry, bring the corners of the pastry up and over the brie, gathering them at the top. Pinch the edges of the pastry together tightly to seal them. If using crescent dough, lay out the first half of the dough flat on your countertop, placing the brie directly in the centre. Then, take the second half of the dough and place it on top of the cheese, lining up the edges of the bottom and top layers of dough as closely as possible. Seal any holes between the two sheets of dough to ensure the cheese is securely wrapped.

For a perfect pastry finish, brush the outside of the wrapping with an egg wash before placing the brie in the air fryer. To make an egg wash, crack an egg into a glass or bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Brush this mixture onto the dough.

How to make a savoury baked brie

Ingredients:

• 1 wheel of brie cheese (8 oz.)
• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 1/4 cup of savoury topping (e.g. pepper jelly, apricot preserves and toasted walnuts, or a mixture of melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, salt, pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper)
• 1 egg
• Crackers, baguette slices, or fruit for serving

Method:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your brie by scoring it with a knife and placing it in the centre of the puff pastry sheet.

Next, add your chosen savoury topping to the brie. Bring the corners of the pastry up and over the brie, pinching the edges together tightly to seal them. In a small dish, whisk together an egg and a tablespoon of water, then brush this mixture over the pastry.

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the wrapped brie inside and cook for 10-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Allow the brie to cool for a few minutes before serving with your chosen crackers, baguette slices, or fruit.

Tips:

• Try to minimise the overlap of pastry when wrapping the brie to avoid thick areas that may not cook through.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your brie and the power of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
• For a shiny, golden colour on your pastry, brush it with an egg wash before cooking.
• Always allow the brie to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the cheese set.

Frequently asked questions