Baked Brie with Garlic
When it comes to easy holiday appetizers, Baked Brie with Garlic is hard to beat. This recipe takes a creamy wheel of brie and tops it with plenty of chopped garlic, fresh rosemary, a drizzle of honey, and a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking until the cheese turns perfectly soft and melty. A few olives and a touch of lemon zest add brightness, making it a guaranteed hit for any holiday gathering.
As the brie bakes, the garlic roasts and the honey caramelizes ever so slightly, filling the kitchen with the most amazing smell. When it comes out of the oven, the cheese is soft and bubbling at the edges, ready to steal the spotlight on your holiday table. It’s the kind of appetizer people naturally gather around, breaking off pieces of bread and diving in. Served warm, it feels like the centerpiece of any celebration. Simple, elegant, and made for sharing.
For more easy holiday entertaining ideas, try serving this baked brie alongside my Maple Bacon Recipe, Steak Crostini with Horseradish Cream, and Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Brie with Garlic
- Effortless elegance- It looks impressive on the table but takes just minutes to prep. No fancy techniques required.
- Perfect for any occasion- Whether it’s a cozy night in, a dinner party, or a holiday gathering, it’s a winner every time.
- Make-ahead friendly- You can assemble it ahead of time and pop it in the oven right before guests arrive.
- Irresistible flavor- The roasted garlic sinks into the cheese, blending perfect with the fresh rosemary, while the honey and olives give it a subtle sweet and salty lift.
- Melty texture- The brie comes out warm and gooey, ready for scooping onto crackers or bread.
What Is Brie Cheese?
Brie is a soft, creamy cheese from France with a mild, buttery flavor and a delicate white rind. It’s smooth and spreadable when at room temperature, and it melts beautifully in the oven, making it perfect for recipes like this baked brie. It’s rich enough to feel indulgent but not overpowering, so it pairs wonderfully with sweet, savory, and herby toppings.
What You’ll Need To Make This Easy Baked Brie
- Brie- You will need 1 wheel of brie (8 ounces). Usually found in the specialty cheese section of grocery stories.
- Garlic- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Use firm, plump cloves; avoid sprouted or soft ones.
- Fresh rosemary- Pick bright green, fragrant sprigs.
- Honey- A mild, floral honey is ideal; you can experiment with clover, wildflower, or orange blossom varieities.
- Red pepper flakes- Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
- Lemon zest- Use a microplane to zest just the yellow part, avoiding the white pith so the flavor stays fresh and bright.
- For serving- Crackers, crusty bread, olives, fresh or dried fruit.
Step By Step Instructions
STEP 1: Prepare the brie. Preheat your oven to 350℉. While it warms, place the brie in a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Using a sharp knife, score the top in a crosshatch pattern, this helps the flavors really sink in.
STEP 2: Add the flavorings. Rub the chopped garlic and fresh rosemary into the cuts. Then, drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle a few red pepper flakes. A light pinch of salt and some freshly ground black pepper finishes it off.
STEP 3: Bake the brie. Place the brie in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until it’s melty and beginning to ooze. While it bakes, you can prep the bread, crackers, and fruit for serving.
STEP 4: Finish and serve. Once the brie is out of the oven, let it rest for a minute. Then, top with freshly grated lemon zest and a handful of olives. You can also drizzle it with a little extra honey, if you want. Serve immediately with your fruit, bread, and crackers for scooping.
Tips For The Best Baked Brie with Garlic
- Choosing the perfect brie. For the creamiest baked brie, I suggest selecting a double-cream or triple-cream variety. Double-cream brie is rich and buttery, while triple-cream brie has an even higher fat content, making it extra silky and ooey-gooey when melted.
- Score the cheese. Cutting a crosshatch into the top of the brie allows the garlic, honey, and herbs to really infuse the cheese. It also helps the cheese bake more evenly.
- Let your brie sit at room temperature. Allow the brie to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature before baking. This helps the cheese melt more evenly and gives the flavors time to fully infuse, resulting in a richer, more flavorful baked brie.
- Fresh garlic vs. roasted garlic. Minced fresh garlic gives a bold, pungent flavor that really stands out, but if you prefer something milder and sweeter, roasted garlic is a great alternative.
FAQ’s
No, keep it on. The rind helps the brie hold its shape as it bakes, and it’s completely edible. Once baked, it softens and blends right into the creamy interior.
It’s best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but you can assemble it with the garlic, rosemary, and honey up to a few hours ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature before baking.
Crusty bread, crackers, olives, and fresh fruit are classic choices. Sliced apples, pears, grapes, or pomegranates all pair beautifully with the creamy flavor of the brie.
Absolutely! Toasted nuts, dried fruit, or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze can take this baked brie to the next level.
If you have leftovers, let the brie cool completely, then cover it tightly or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place it in a 300℉ oven for about 10-15 minutes, just until warm and melty again. Avoid microwaving, it can make the texture rubbery.
More Holiday Recipes To Try
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Baked Brie with Garlic
Ingredients
- 8 oz round brie cheese, room temperature
- 1-2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- pinch red pepper flakes , or to taste
- 2 tsp honey, plus more for serving
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
- freshly cracked black pepper
For serving
- sliced baguette, crostini, or crackers
- pomegranate seeds
- sliced apples
- Castelvetrano olives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉. While it warms, place the brie in a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Using a sharp knife, score the top in a crosshatch pattern, this helps the flavors really sink in.
- Rub the chopped garlic and fresh rosemary into the cuts. Then, drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle a few red pepper flakes. A light pinch of salt and some freshly ground black pepper finishes it off.
- Place the brie in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until it's melty and beginning to ooze. While it bakes, you can prep the bread, crackers, and fruit for serving.
- Once the brie is out of the oven, let it rest for a minute. Then, top with freshly grated lemon zest and a handful of olives. You can also drizzle it with a little extra honey, if you want. Serve immediately with your fruit, bread, and crackers for scooping.