These air fryer brie and cranberry pastry bites are one of my favorite things to make when I want a quick and impressive snack. They look fancy, taste amazing, and take almost no effort.
Each little bite is filled with warm, melty brie and a touch of sweet cranberry sauce, all wrapped in flaky golden puff pastry.
They are perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or honestly just a cozy night at home when you want something a little special.
The air fryer gets them perfectly crispy in under 10 minutes. No need to heat up your whole oven for a batch of these.
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to pull these together. Let me show you how to make them!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Only 5 Ingredients – You just need puff pastry and brie and cranberry sauce and an egg to make these stunning little bites.
Perfectly Crispy and Flaky – The air fryer makes the puff pastry incredibly crispy and golden on the outside in a way the oven just can’t match.
Warm Melty Brie Inside – Every bite reveals gooey melted brie that oozes out of the flaky pastry and it tastes absolutely incredible.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry
- 1/2 lb Brie Cheese
- 1/3 cup Cranberry Sauce
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tbsp Water
How To Make
Step 1
Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions and slice it into small 2-inch squares.
Step 2
Slice the brie cheese into small cubes, removing the rind if preferred.
Step 3
Place a cube of brie and a small dollop of cranberry sauce in the center of each puff pastry square.
Step 4
Pinch the four corners of the pastry together over the filling to create a little bundle.
Step 5
Whisk the egg and water together, and lightly brush the top of each pastry bundle.
Step 6
Air fry at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes until the pastry is puffed and beautifully golden brown.
Tips
Keep the Puff Pastry Cold
Once you thaw the puff pastry, work with it quickly. If it gets too warm and soft, it becomes sticky and hard to fold, and it won’t puff up as nicely in the air fryer.
If you notice it getting floppy while you’re assembling the bites, pop it back in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to firm it up again. Cold pastry is what gives you those beautiful flaky layers.
Don’t Overfill the Pastry Squares
It’s tempting to load these up with brie and cranberry sauce, but too much filling makes it really hard to pinch the corners shut. The brie melts and the cranberry sauce bubbles, so overstuffed bites will burst open in the air fryer.
I’ve found that one small cube of brie (about the size of a dice) and just a tiny half-teaspoon of cranberry sauce per square is the sweet spot. You’ll still get plenty of flavor in every bite without the mess.
Pinch the Seams Really Well
When you bring the four corners together, make sure you also pinch the seams between each corner tightly. If there are gaps along the sides, the melted brie will leak out during cooking and you’ll lose most of your filling.
A little trick that works great is to lightly wet your fingertip with water and run it along the edges of the pastry before pinching. This helps the dough stick to itself and creates a better seal.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Baked Brie
- Air Fryer Chocolate Hazelnut Pastry Twists
- Air Fryer Ham & Cheese Croissants
- Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
- Air Fryer S’mores Pastry Pockets
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove the rind from the brie before using it?
You don’t have to – the rind is completely edible and safe to eat. Some people actually enjoy the extra texture and subtle flavor it adds to the pastry bites.
That said, most people prefer to remove it for this recipe because the rind can get a bit chewy inside the pastry. If you want that smooth, melty brie experience, just trim it off with a sharp knife before cubing.
Air Fryer Brie & Cranberry Pastry Bites
- air fryer
- 1 sheet Puff Pastry
- 1/2 lb Brie Cheese
- 1/3 cup Cranberry Sauce
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tbsp Water
- Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions and slice it into small 2-inch squares.
- Slice the brie cheese into small cubes, removing the rind if preferred.
- Place a cube of brie and a small dollop of cranberry sauce in the center of each puff pastry square.
- Pinch the four corners of the pastry together over the filling to create a little bundle.
- Whisk the egg and water together, and lightly brush the top of each pastry bundle.
- Air fry at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes until the pastry is puffed and beautifully golden brown.