Puff Pastry Brie Bites

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Puff Pastry Brie Bites are an easy appetizer that impresses guests every time. Sweet onion jam, melty Brie, and crispy bacon come together on a buttery, golden crust. Drizzled with honey and thyme, they’re fancy-looking, fast to make, and totally irresistible.

Puff pastry onion tarts on a serving display board.

Table of Contents

Puff pastry brie bites look fancy, but they’re one of those “why didn’t I make this sooner?” recipes. The sweet onion jam melts into the creamy Brie, and the bacon adds that perfect salty crunch. The puff pastry does all the heavy lifting; it bakes up golden, flaky, and crisp around the edges with almost no work at all. I love how the thyme and honey finish everything off with a little freshness and sweetness.

If you love these onion tart puff pastries, you’ll also enjoy my caramelized onion and apple puff pastries, spinach artichoke wontons and air fryer baked brie. Perfect for holiday parties!

Why This Recipe Works

Crowd-pleasing flavor: It’s that perfect mix of savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy.
Restaurant quality with little effort: They look impressive and taste gourmet, but require just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep. No special tools, no fuss.
Easy to customize: Swap the Brie for goat cheese, add a drizzle of fig jam, or sprinkle with fresh herbs. There are so many easy ways to make these your own.
Perfect for any occasion: From holiday parties and dinner with friends to cozy nights in with a glass of wine, these onion tarts fit every kind of gathering and disappear fast.

Jordan

Ingredients You’ll Need

Puff pastry: The flaky, buttery base of the tart. Thaw in the fridge until pliable but still cold; that’s how you get those perfect, puffy layers.
Onion jam: Adds rich, sweet caramelized onion flavor. Use store-bought for ease, or homemade if you prefer. It’s one of my favorite pantry staples right now! I used it to make a French Onion Pasta too!
Balsamic vinegar: Brings brightness and a tangy depth that balances the sweetness of the onion jam. A little goes a long way.
Ground nutmeg: Adds warm, subtle spice.
Black pepper: Gives a hint of heat and helps round out the savory notes in the tart.
Mini Brie wheels: Creamy, melty cheese that pairs perfectly with sweet onion and bacon. Slice them while cold for cleaner cuts.
Bacon: Adds salty crunch and smoky flavor. Cook until crisp for the best texture on top of the pastry.
Egg: Brushing the edges with a beaten egg before baking gives the tart its golden, glossy finish.
Flaky salt: Just a tiny sprinkle enhances all the flavors at the end, don’t skip it!
Honey: A light drizzle right before serving adds sweetness and shine.
Fresh thyme: Garnish for a finishing touch that keeps everything tasting fresh. Remove leaves from the stems to avoid woody bits.

*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.

Substitutions And Variations

Cheese swap: Use Camembert, goat cheese, or freshly shredded sharp white cheddar instead of Brie.
Bacon bits: To make things easier, use bacon bits instead of fresh bacon. This is what I did the first time I made them!
Jam change: Try fig jam, apricot preserves, or pepper jelly in place of onion jam. You can also sauté thinly sliced onions low and slow until golden, then use as the base instead of jam.
Herbs: Rosemary, sage, or chives are great substitutes for thyme.
Sweet & savory twist: Add a few sliced pears or apples under the Brie.
Heat lovers: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a touch of hot honey before serving.
Nutty crunch: Toss on some chopped toasted walnuts or pecans before baking for added texture.

How To Make Puff Pastry Brie Bites

Stirring onion jam with seasonings in a small white bowl.

Mix onion jam: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine the onion jam with the balsamic, ground nutmeg, and black pepper.

Cut the puff pastry: Cut the puff pastry into 9 even squares.

Puff pastry squares on a baking sheet pan.

Prep the dough: trace a square in the center of each puff pastry square, about a half inch from the edge, without cutting all the way through. This is just to help the edges puff up while keeping the center flat.

Brushing the edge of a puff pastry with egg wash.

Add filling: Spread the caramelized onion jam mixture evenly inside the border. Add the sliced brie on top and sprinkle with bacon bits. Lightly brush the border with the egg wash.

Baked puff pastry onion tarts topped with crumbled bacon.

Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, or until the puff pastry is golden and the Brie is melted and bubbly. Drizzle lightly with honey and garnish with fresh thyme.

Pro Tip: I like using a pizza cutter to slice puff pastry. It’s fast and gives smooth, clean edges. If you don’t have one, a sharp knife works just as well.

Helpful Tips For First-Time Bakers

Keep puff pastry cold: Work quickly and keep your pastry chilled. Cold dough puffs higher and gets that gorgeous, flaky, golden crust.
Use an egg wash: Brush the outer edges with a beaten egg for incredible color and shine.
Bake on parchment: Makes cleanup super easy.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to remove the rind from the Brie before baking?

No, you don’t have to remove the rind. It’s edible and melts nicely. If you prefer a smoother texture, trim it off while the cheese is cold for easier slicing.

How should I store leftover puff pastry brie bites?

Let the tarts cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350F to crisp the pastry back up, the microwave will make them soggy.

How should I freeze puff pastry?

Baked tarts freeze well for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Reheat in the oven to crisp them back up.

Hand holding a puff pastry tart filled with onion jam and brie.

More Easy Appetizers And Snacks

If you tried this easy Puff Pastry Tart recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!