Irresistible Air Fryer Cranberry Baked Brie with Walnuts: Your Ultimate Easy Holiday Appetizer

Baked Brie is truly a showstopper appetizer, effortlessly combining elegance with incredible ease of preparation. This specific recipe for cranberry baked Brie with walnuts is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, making it an ideal choice for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, and festive Christmas celebrations. Best of all, it conveniently bakes up in your air fryer, saving you time and oven space during busy holiday seasons!

What is Cranberry Baked Brie?

Cranberry baked Brie is a delightful and comforting appetizer featuring a wheel of creamy Brie cheese, generously topped with tangy cranberry sauce. This exquisite combination is then baked until the cheese softens and becomes wonderfully gooey, ready for scooping and spreading. While traditionally made in a conventional oven, this recipe brilliantly adapts to the air fryer for a quicker, more efficient cook.

Brie cheese, known for its buttery, mild flavor and soft, edible rind, is an excellent choice for baking. When heated, its interior transforms into a molten, decadent delight that pairs beautifully with a variety of sweet and savory toppings. The cranberry sauce adds a bright, tart contrast, creating a balanced flavor profile that is both rich and refreshing.

You can effortlessly customize your baked Brie with additional ingredients like toasted nuts (such as the walnuts I recommend), a touch of sweetener, or aromatic herbs and spices. Below, you’ll find a range of suggestions to inspire your culinary creativity and tailor this appetizer to your taste.

Serve this warm, luscious baked Brie with an assortment of dippers like fresh fruit, crisp crackers, or toasted crostini for an elegant and undeniably delicious appetizer. As the cheese itself is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, remember to select your serving accompaniments accordingly to accommodate any specific dietary needs of your guests.

The festive colors and flavors of cranberry baked Brie make it an especially popular holiday appetizer, perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. It’s also an ingenious and delicious way to utilize any leftover cranberry sauce from your holiday meals, transforming it into a fresh and exciting new dish.

Essential Cranberry Baked Brie Ingredients

Crafting this simple yet elegant appetizer requires just a few key ingredients. Each component plays an important role in achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

• 8-ounce wheel Brie cheese: The star of our appetizer, chosen for its creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor that melts beautifully.
• ½ cup whole fruit cranberry sauce (or jam): Provides a vibrant, tart, and sweet topping. Whole fruit varieties offer a more rustic texture and intense flavor.
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and a subtle caramel note, complementing the cranberries and cheese.
• ¼ cup roasted salted walnuts: Offers a delightful crunch and a nutty, savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the cranberry and the richness of the Brie. Roasting enhances their flavor.
• Crackers for serving: Essential for scooping up the melted cheese. I particularly enjoy rosemary crackers for their aromatic herby flavor that perfectly complements the rich Brie and tart cranberry.

How to Make Air Fryer Cranberry Baked Brie: Step-by-Step Guide

Making this sophisticated appetizer is surprisingly straightforward, especially with the efficiency of an air fryer. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result:

1. Prepare the Brie: Carefully remove the entire wheel of Brie cheese from all its packaging. Place it onto a sheet of parchment paper or nonstick foil that has been trimmed to fit snugly inside your air fryer basket. This lining prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. While the rind of Brie is completely edible and helps maintain the cheese’s structure as it melts, you can slice off the top rind if you prefer a less structured, more immediately scoopable center. This is purely a matter of personal preference.

2. Add the Cranberry Topping: Generously spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the entire top surface of the Brie cheese. Ensure a consistent layer for balanced flavor in every bite.

3. Air Fry to Perfection: Gently place the foil or parchment with the prepared Brie into your air fryer basket. Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 10 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the Brie. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is beautifully soft and melty – it should gently give when you lightly press on it.

4. Transfer with Care: Once cooked, carefully transfer the warm Brie to a elegant cheese board or a dedicated serving plate. The cheese will be very soft, so use the foil or parchment paper to support it fully as you move it. Once the Brie is securely in place, gently slide the lining sheet out from underneath.

5. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the maple syrup evenly over the warm cranberry Brie, then sprinkle the toasted walnuts generously on top. The warmth of the cheese will slightly warm the syrup and release the aroma of the nuts.

6. Enjoy Warm: Serve your Cranberry Baked Brie immediately while it’s still warm and gloriously melty. Offer with your favorite crackers (rosemary crackers are highly recommended for their complementary flavor) or any other dippers you desire.

• Baked Brie With Fig Jam: A sophisticated pairing of earthy fig jam with creamy Brie.
• Mummy Baked Brie: A fun, spooky twist perfect for Halloween parties, using puff pastry to create a mummy design.
• Pear Baked Brie: Features sweet, tender pear slices and often a hint of honey or cinnamon for a comforting flavor.

What to Serve With Cranberry Baked Brie

Cranberry baked Brie is a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and creamy notes, making it incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. The goal is to provide textural contrast and complementary flavors. Here are some of my favorite pairings to create an impressive spread:

Crisp Crackers and Artisanal Bread

A thoughtfully chosen selection of crackers, thinly sliced baguette, or toasted crostini adds an essential crunchy contrast to the soft, melty Brie. Look for:

• Whole grain or seeded crackers: These bring an earthy depth and a satisfying bite that beautifully complements the sweet-tart cranberries and rich cheese.
• French baguette slices: Offer a neutral yet sturdy base, perfect for holding generous scoops of the warm Brie. Toasting them lightly enhances their texture and flavor.
• Water crackers or flatbreads: Delicately flavored options that allow the Brie and cranberry to truly shine.

Assorted Fresh and Dried Fruits

Fruits offer natural sweetness and refreshing crispness, providing a delightful balance to the creamy texture of the Brie:

• Fresh fruit slices: Crisp apple or pear slices (Granny Smith, Fuji, Bartlett, or Bosc are great choices) provide a refreshing crunch. Juicy grapes, especially red or black varieties, offer a burst of sweetness.
• Berries: Fresh strawberries or blueberries can add a vibrant, juicy element and a pop of color to each bite, pairing wonderfully with the cranberry.
• Dried fruits: Dried cranberries, apricots, or thinly sliced dried oranges offer a chewy texture and concentrated sweetness, holding up well alongside the creamy cheese.

Savory Cured Meats

Incorporating a selection of cured meats to your platter introduces a savory, salty dimension that perfectly complements the richness of the Brie:

• Prosciutto: Its delicate, salty flavor and tender texture are a classic match.
• Salami or Sopressata: Provides a more robust flavor and a slight chewiness.
• The saltiness from these meats creates an irresistible contrast with the inherent sweetness of the cranberry topping and the buttery notes of the Brie.

Fresh Vegetables for Scooping

For a lighter, refreshing option, include some fresh vegetables:

• Celery sticks, carrot sticks, or thin cucumber slices: These offer a crisp, cool counterpoint to the warm, creamy Brie. They act as excellent vehicles for scooping up the cheese and cranberry mixture without overpowering its delicate flavors.

Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Baked Brie

Achieve baked Brie perfection every time with these insider tips:

• Air Fryer Size Matters (Slightly): For those with a very small air fryer, opt for a mini (4-ounce) wheel of Brie and halve the rest of the recipe ingredients. Adjust cooking time to approximately 6 minutes. However, it’s worth noting that the standard 8-ounce Brie wheel typically fits comfortably in most air fryer baskets, even smaller ones like my Ninja Dual Zone baskets, which are only 5.5” wide. Always check your appliance’s capacity.
• Rind Removal (Optional): If you decide to remove the rind (a matter of preference, as it is edible), use a sharp, thin knife to carefully slice off just the top layer of the Brie before adding any toppings. Make sure to leave the bottom and side rinds completely intact; they are essential for maintaining the cheese’s structure and preventing it from spreading too much during baking.
• Preheat for Consistency: Always preheat your air fryer to the specified temperature before adding the Brie. This ensures even cooking and helps the cheese melt consistently from the start.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Ensure there’s enough space around the Brie wheel in the air fryer basket for air to circulate properly. This allows for even cooking and prevents soggy spots.
• Visual Cues for Doneness: Beyond the time, look for visual signs. The Brie should appear slightly puffed, and when gently pressed (with an oven-mitt protected finger or a spatula), it should yield easily, indicating a perfectly melted interior.
• Serve Immediately: Baked Brie is best enjoyed right out of the air fryer when it’s warm and gooey. As it cools, it will firm up.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftover Baked Brie

If you happen to have any leftovers of this delectable appetizer, here’s how to store and reheat it to enjoy later:

• Storage: Store any leftover cranberry baked Brie in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 5 days. Note that the cheese will firm up considerably when cold.
• Reheating in the Air Fryer: To reheat baked Brie in the air fryer, place it back on a fresh piece of parchment paper or nonstick foil. If the Brie has lost its original shape and is more spread out, consider placing it in a small oven-safe dish to contain it as it reheats and re-melts. Air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until it’s warmed through and once again soft and gooey.
• Reheating in the Oven: Alternatively, you can reheat in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until the center is melted.

Final Thoughts on This Delightful Holiday Appetizer

Cranberry baked Brie stands out as an exceptionally elegant appetizer that is surprisingly simple to prepare. It allows you to impress your guests with minimal effort and stress – your secret to effortless entertaining is safe with me!

Beyond its stunning appearance and delicious taste, this baked Brie offers significant versatility. It is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, making it a fantastic option for accommodating various dietary needs at your gathering. Simply ensure your chosen dippers are also suitable for specific diets.

With its vibrant, sweet-tart, and festive flavor profile, this baked Brie is truly the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving, delightful fall occasions, and joyous Christmas celebrations. Pair it with your favorite crackers, fresh fruits, or other complementary dippers to make it the undisputed star of your charcuterie or appetizer spread!

While you certainly can bake this in a conventional oven, utilizing the air fryer offers a significant advantage by saving precious time and keeping your main oven free for larger dishes like a holiday turkey. The air fryer consistently delivers a wonderfully melted, perfectly cooked Brie that everyone will adore.