Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts

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This Honey Nut Baked Brie is creamy, crunchy, and sweet! Hot and gooey Brie cheese is topped with nuts coated in honey with a hint of cinnamon. Get your favorite crackers, apple slices, and your taste buds ready for a fantastic treat because you’ll go “nuts” for this easy appetizer idea.

Everyone Loves this Baked Brie Recipe

Do you have a recipe that your friends or family ask you to make for every gathering? Or maybe they don’t ask you, it’s just kind of implied that you’ll bring it. This, my friends, is that recipe.

I may be a food blogger capable of and always wanting to try new things. But it is this melty cheese topped with sticky, nutty goodness that is my most requested contribution to any party.

I originally got it out of one of the coupon inserts in the Sunday paper but over the years I have tweaked it a bit to make it even easier and better than the original recipe. And honestly, it’s not the most sensitive of recipes, so while I do give you measurements in the recipe, it’s not critical to use exact amounts. I usually eyeball everything and it still turns out perfectly caramelized and gooey and oh, so good!

All you’ll need is 4 ingredients, about 20 minutes, and a stack of crackers and apple slices for dipping. I guarantee if you make it, you’ll be asked to bring it again and again and again.

What is Baked Brie?

Brie cheese is a mild, soft cow’s milk cheese named after the region of France where it originated. But it is now produced in other parts of the world. The inside is soft and creamy, while the outside is covered in a white rind. You can typically buy it in rounds or wedges and can find it in many grocery stores.

When heated it melts and becomes semi-liquid, perfect for dipping. And its mild flavor means that it pairs well with a variety of ingredients from sweet to savory. 

You can make a topping for the Brie, like this recipe, and top it after baking. Or you can wrap the Brie in phyllo dough or puff pastry before baking.

Recipe Ingredients

• Brie cheese – this makes enough topping for about an 8 oz. wheel or wedge of Brie. If you get a larger one, such as the ones they sell at Costco, just double the topping.
• Nuts – walnuts, pecans, or a combination of both.
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Do you take the rind off before baking?

The rind of Brie is edible. However, some people prefer not to eat the rind. Also, it is hard to scoop up the cheese with the rind still attached. Therefore, I like to remove the top of the rind before serving. Here is how I do that.

How to Bake Brie

This recipe is so simple! First, you are going to bake your brie (or warm it in the microwave). Then you’ll make the topping while the cheese warms up.

Warm the Cheese

1. Place your wheel of Brie on a baking sheet or in a glass pie plate.
2. Using a small paring knife, score around the top of the brie about 1/4-inch from the edge.
3. Bake the Brie in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, a quick option is to microwave it for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Remove the Brie from the oven and use a butter knife or small spatula to gently separate the top of the rind where you score dit form the cheese. It should peel off quite easily.
5. While it is in the oven, prepare your desired topping and pour it over the top of the Brie after you take it out of the oven.

Make the Honey Nut Topping

While the cheese is melting, toast some nuts in a pan. Get them all nice and caramelized with honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Here’s how:

1. Score the top of Brie and bake or microwave until melty.
2. While it bakes, toast the nuts in a skillet. Watch carefully and do NOT burn the nuts.
3. Add honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and stir until bubbly.
4. Pour over the top over the Brie.
5. Serve with crackers, apples, or whatever you would like to dip.

Tips for Success

• A wheel of cheese is best, but wedges work too. If you cannot find a wheel of Brie, you can pick up a wedge or two, slice off the top ring, and place it in a glass pie plate or small baking dish.
• Mix up the nuts! I like the combo of walnuts and pecans, but have made this baked brie recipe many times with only one or the other.
• Add chopped fruit. You can also toss in some chopped apples when you are caramelizing the nuts. Other ideas might include dried cranberries or chopped up fresh pear.
• Try maple syrup. For a little twist in the flavors, you can use maple syrup instead of the honey.

Serving Suggestions

You have a number of options for dipping in your Brie cheese. For softer dippable items, like the pita bread, I recommend including a small butter knife or serving knife so that it’s easier to scoop up the brie.

• Baguette slices or pita – try this Gluten Free Pita!
• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Apple slices
• Carrot slices or celery

Or, you know, you could also just eat this with a spoon. It’s all good, whatever way you choose. I’m a big supporter of equal opportunity cheese consumption.

Making this Appetizer for a Crowd

Having a bigger party? Double the topping and get one of those giant wheels of Brie from Costco.

Can’t find the round ones? Then get a couple of wedges, slice the rind off the top, and press them into a ceramic baking dish. This is such a low maintenance recipe. Gotta love it!

Is Baked Brie gluten free?

Yes, this baked Brie appetizer recipe is gluten-free. While in the past there were concerns that it might not be due to the source of the mold spores used to make Brie. There has been repeated testing that shows Brie to have undetectable levels of gluten regardless of the source of the mold spores. However, if you have a severe sensitivity or are unsure, you might want to consult a doctor or avoid it altogether.

While some recipes like this Cranberry Pistachio Brie Wrapped in Phyllo are covered in doughs that do contain gluten, this recipe has no other gluten-containing ingredients. Just be sure to enjoy it with fruit slices or gluten free crackers. Or eat it with a spoon. I won’t judge!

Variation Ideas

This is truly a versatile appetizer because you can customize it in endless ways. You follow the same steps for how to bake Brie but then add your favorite toppings. Here are all of my favorite Brie recipes: 

• Caramelized Apple Pecan Baked Brie
• Balsamic Blueberry Baked Brie with Bacon
• Pineapple Pecan Baked Brie

For a fun twist, take the same honey nut mixture along with your Brie cheese and stuff it in these Honey Nut Baked Brie Bloomin’ Apples.

This oozy, melty, cheesy appetizer recipe is my go-to for the holiday season and really all year. Since it takes just a few minutes to make, it’s easy to whip up and impress your friends. They’ll be even more impressed that it only takes four ingredients to put together such amazing flavors. Grab your crackers and apples and get ready to scoop up this delicious Brie cheese topped with honey and walnut and pecans.

4.7 from 3 votes

Honey Nut Baked Brie

Warm and melty baked Brie cheese, topped with a sweet and sticky nut topping. An easy, but elegant appetizer with only four ingredients.

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 25 mins

Servings: 8

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Ingredients

• 8 oz. Brie cheese wheel or wedge
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and/or pecans, I like to use a mixture
• 2 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• crackers apple slices, etc. for serving

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place brie round on baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut into the rind on the top of the brie about a quarter inch from the edge. Do not remove the rind.
• Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese is soft and melted.
• While the Brie is baking, heat a small saute pan over medium heat and add the nuts, toasting until they slightly brown and give off a nutty aroma.
• Add the honey, salt, and cinnamon to the nuts and stir to coat.
• Remove the hot brie from the oven and transfer to a serving plate. Carefully remove the top rind using a sharp knife to separate it, if needed.
  
• Pour the honey nut mixture over the top of the Brie.
• Serve with crackers, apple slices, etc.
• Alternatively, you can cut the top rind off of the Brie and place in an oven or microwave safe dish. Then top with the nut mixture and microwave the Brie for 3-5 minutes or bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is warmed through, slightly bubbly and melty.

Nutrition Facts

Honey Nut Baked Brie

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 158 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Cholesterol 28mg9%

Sodium 183mg8%

Potassium 75mg2%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 170IU3%

Calcium 59mg6%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked brie, gluten free appetizers, holiday appetizers, hot dips

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Want more appetizer ideas? Try these:

• Ground Beef and Mozzarella Stuffed Mushrooms
• Spicy Glazed Blue Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates
• Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball
• Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

Originally published Jan 16, 2014