Air-Fryer Brie: Is It Possible?

Air fryer baked brie is a quick and easy dish to make for a party or holiday gathering. It can be served as an appetizer with toppings such as honey, fruit, or bacon, or on a charcuterie board. The air fryer melts the brie from the inside out, creating a gooey, cheesy dish in under 15 minutes.

Air fryer brie cooking times and temperatures

Air fryer brie is a quick and easy snack or appetizer that can be served with a variety of toppings and dippers. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer brie will depend on the size of the brie and whether it is being cooked with puff pastry.

Cooking Times and Temperatures for Air Fryer Brie

If you are cooking a wheel of brie without puff pastry, the cooking temperature should be set between 325ºF (160ºC) and 350ºF (180ºC). The cooking time will depend on the size of the brie wheel:

• Small wheels (4-8 ounces) should be cooked for 7-10 minutes.
• Medium wheels (up to 16 ounces) should be cooked for 9-11 minutes.
• Large wheels (up to 2.2 pounds) should be cooked for 10-13 minutes.

If you are cooking a wheel of brie with puff pastry, the temperature should be increased to 360ºF (180ºC) and the cooking time adjusted as follows:

• Small wheels (4-8 ounces) should be cooked for 14-17 minutes.
• Medium wheels (up to 16 ounces) should be cooked for 14-20 minutes.
• Large wheels (up to 2.2 pounds) should be cooked for 15-23 minutes.

Checking for Doneness

Regardless of the size of the brie wheel or whether it is cooked with puff pastry, the best way to check for doneness is to press the center of the cheese with your finger. If it is easily depressed and gooey in the middle, it is ready to be removed from the air fryer. Be careful not to overcook the brie, as it will harden if it is overheated.

Air fryer brie toppings

Air fryer brie is a great, quick and easy appetizer for any occasion. It is best served with a variety of toppings and dippers. Here are some topping ideas for your air fryer brie:

Fruits and Nuts

You can top your air fryer brie with fresh fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, or cranberries. Dried fruits like apricots and cranberries can also be used. For some added sweetness, you can also drizzle honey on top. To add some crunch, you can add nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, or pecans.

Jams and Preserves

Fruit preserves or jams such as cranberry sauce, apricot preserves, or red pepper jelly can be spread on top of the brie. You can also use your favorite fruit spread or pepper jelly for a savory option.

Meat

Air fryer brie can also be topped with meat such as bacon or chorizo. Fry or cook your choice of meat separately and place it on top of the brie before serving.

Baked Pastry

Another option is to wrap the brie in puff pastry before air frying it. This will give you a crispy, flaky pastry coating that pairs well with the creamy cheese. You can brush the pastry with an egg wash before air frying to achieve a shiny golden color.

When serving air fryer brie, it is recommended to have a variety of dippers such as crackers, pita chips, crostini, baguette slices, or even raw vegetables like carrots, celery, or radishes.

Air fryer brie serving suggestions

Air fryer brie is a quick and easy dish to make and is perfect as an appetiser or for a party. You can serve it as it is, or with a variety of toppings and dippers.

Serving suggestions:

• Toppings: honey, fruit preserves, brown sugar, nuts (such as pecans, pistachios or walnuts), fruit (such as strawberries, cranberries, apples, pears or grapes), or even bacon.
• Dippers: baguette slices, crackers, apple slices, crostini, gingersnap cookies, or naan bread.

Recipe variations:

You can also wrap the brie in puff pastry before air frying. If you do this, brush the pastry with an egg wash before cooking, and cook at a higher temperature for a longer time.

Reheating:

If your brie begins to harden, you can reheat it in the microwave, with a heat gun, or back in the air fryer.

Air fryer brie recipes

Baked Brie with Pear Compote and Bacon

Remove any plastic packaging from the brie and place it back into its wooden box (if it came in one), minus the lid. Transfer this into the air fryer and cook for about 8 minutes or until cooked through. Cook at 350° Fahrenheit (180° Celsius). To see if it is ready, press down on the cheese—if it doesn't go in easily, it's still hard underneath.

For the compote, combine diced pears, cranberries, and sugar in a saucepan. Add ¼ cup of water and simmer on low heat until the pears have softened and the syrup is slightly thicker. Fry some bacon until it is crispy (or to your liking).

Baked Brie with Garlic Butter

Bring the brie to room temperature for 30 minutes for more even cooking (optional). Mince garlic and melt butter in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Combine the garlic and butter. Unwrap the brie and put it into a heat-safe bowl. Score the brie by cutting into the rind with a knife. Pour the melted butter and garlic mixture over the brie, spread to cover, and season with salt and pepper.

Cook in the air fryer at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until the center of the brie is soft. Serve with crostini or crackers.

Baked Brie with Puff Pastry

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Unroll the puff pastry. Place the brie in the center of the pastry sheet—don't cut away the rind. Top the brie with fruit preserves and nuts. 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 some water. Brush the egg onto the pastry in an even layer. Carefully transfer the brie to the basket and air fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and slightly puffed.

Baked Brie with Honey

Place a wheel of brie cheese on a piece of crumpled parchment paper and lower it into the basket of an air fryer. Cook at 325ºF (160ºC) for 9-11 minutes, or until the center of the cheese presses in easily with your finger. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with fresh fruit, honey, baguette slices, and/or your favorite serving options.

Air fryer brie vs. oven-baked brie

Baked brie is a delicious appetizer, side dish, or snack, and there are several ways to prepare it. Using an air fryer or an oven are two of the most common methods, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will compare the two methods and provide instructions on how to prepare baked brie using both an air fryer and an oven.

Air Fryer Brie

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, resulting in a crispy, golden brown finish. When it comes to baking brie, the air fryer offers a faster and more convenient option compared to a traditional oven. Here are some key points to consider when using an air fryer to bake brie:

• Time: Air fryer brie recipes typically take between 8 to 15 minutes to cook, depending on the size of the brie and the desired level of melting. This is significantly faster than oven-baked brie, which can take up to 25 minutes.
• Temperature: Most air fryer brie recipes recommend a temperature setting between 325ºF (160ºC) and 350ºF (180ºC). It is important to preheat the air fryer for at least 3 minutes before cooking.
• Preparation: Preparing brie for the air fryer is generally simple. It is recommended to place the brie on a piece of crumpled parchment paper to help it sit flat in the air fryer basket. Some recipes also suggest wrapping the brie in puff pastry and brushing it with an egg wash for a golden, flaky coating.
• Serving: Air fryer brie is best served immediately while it is still melted and gooey. It can be paired with various toppings and dippers, such as fresh fruit, honey, baguette slices, crackers, or nuts.
• Reheating: If the brie starts to harden after serving, it can be reheated in the air fryer, microwave, or with a heat gun to regain its melty texture.

Oven-Baked Brie

Oven-baked brie is the traditional method of preparing this dish, and it offers a classic, elegant option for serving brie. Here are some key considerations for oven-baked brie:

• Time: Baking brie in the oven typically takes longer than an air fryer. On average, oven-baked brie recipes suggest a cooking time of 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the brie and the desired level of melting.
• Temperature: Oven-baked brie recipes usually recommend a temperature setting of 350ºF (180ºC).
• Preparation: Similar to air fryer brie, oven-baked brie can be prepared with or without puff pastry. If using puff pastry, it is important to wrap the brie tightly and brush it with an egg wash for a golden finish.
• Serving: Oven-baked brie can be served in the same way as air fryer brie, with various toppings and dippers. It is best served immediately while the cheese is still melted.
• Reheating: Oven-baked brie can also be reheated in the oven, microwave, or with a heat gun if it starts to harden after serving.

Both air fryer brie and oven-baked brie offer delicious and convenient options for preparing this appetiser. If you are short on time or looking for a quicker cooking method, the air fryer is a great choice. However, if you prefer the traditional baking method or want to serve a larger group, the oven-baked brie might be a better option. Ultimately, both methods will result in delicious, gooey brie that your guests will surely enjoy!

Frequently asked questions