Brie Fig Jam Bites are not just delicious but also incredibly easy to make. This 5 ingredient recipe is the perfect appetizer for those who love the combination of sweet and savory flavors and want a recipe that is simple and fast. This easy appetizer is a great recipe to make during the holiday season
Brie cheese and fig jam are a classic pairing. The creamy brie complements the sweet and slightly tangy flavor of fig jam. When they are added to a crispy phyllo cup, this combination becomes an irresistible appetizer that is both elegant and easy to eat.
If you like the idea of simple ingredients in a pretty phyllo shell like the Brie Fig Jam Bites, check out Tomato Feta Bites.
If you want to try another brie appetizer check out Baked Brie with Honey and Dried Cranberries. This is one of the easiest appetizers to make with a brie wheel, cranberries and a drizzle of honey. You can serve it with apple slices, muscadine grapes, and baguette slices.
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread is another delicious appetizer for the holiday season and Brie Fondue is an interactive holiday appetizer that allows guests to dip fresh fruit and bread into a melted cheese fondue.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW: FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- Phyllo cups are light, flaky layers of phyllo dough that are formed into a mini pastry cup. They are fully baked and ready to be filled. You can locate them in the frozen food sections of most major supermarkets.
- For the best flavor and texture, choose a high quality Brie cheese. Read What is Brie Cheese to learn how it is made and how to store it.
- Fresh thyme or rosemary not only add a beautiful visual element but also a subtle aromatic flavor that complements the cheese and fig jam.
SPECIAL EQUIPEMENT NEEDED:
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: These are essential for cutting the Brie into appropriate sizes. A sharp knife ensures a clean cut without squishing the cheese.
- Vegetable Peeler: Makes removing the white rind from the brie very easy.
- Baking Sheet: Necessary for baking the cups in the oven.
- Parchment Paper: Optional but handy for a quick clean up.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Similar in texture and flavor to Brie, Camembert cheese can be a great alternative. For a tangier flavor, goat cheese is also a good creamy cheese substitute.
- If you cannot find fig jam or fig preserves at your grocery stores, you could top the brie with chopped fresh figs or dried figs.
- The phyllo cups can be substituted with pre-made tart shells. You could also cut puff pastry dough into small circles and place them into a mini muffin tin to create the shells.
- If fresh herbs are not available, use dried thyme or rosemary, but in small quantities. Just a tiny pinch will do.
- Chopped almonds, pecans or hazelnuts can replace the walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
HOW TO STORE BRIE FIG JAM BITES:
- If you plan to eat the bites within a couple of days, store them in the refrigerator. Place them into an airtight container or wrap them gently with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- In the refrigerator, the bites will stay fresh for about 2-3 days. Allow them to cool to room temperature after baking before placing them into the refrigerator.
- Properly stored, the brie fig jam bites can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place the bites onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for about an hour or until they are frozen solid. This step helps prevent them from sticking together when stored in bulk.
- Transfer the frozen tartlets to a freezer safe container or a resealable freezer bag. It is a good idea to layer them with sheets of parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.
- For best results, thaw the tartlets in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
HOW TO REHEAT BRIE FIG JAM BITES:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the brie bites onto a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for about 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
- Although the oven is preferred for maintaining the texture of the phyllo cup , you can use a microwave in a pinch. Heat them on a microwave safe plate for 20-30 seconds or until warmed through. Be cautious as the microwave may make the pastry less crisp.
Remove the white rind from the cheese wheel. This can be easily done by gently scraping the surface of the brie with a vegetable peeler. Cut the brie into 1″ cubes.
Place the phyllo cups onto a baking sheet that has been linen with parchment paper. If you are using frozen cups, there is no need to thaw them first. Place the brie cubes into the shells. The cheese will melt and spread, so there is no need to fill the shells completely.
Spoon a teaspoon of fig jam on top of the brie in each shell. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese melts.
Brie Fig Jam Bites
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Ingredients
- 1 package of phyllo cups or tartlet shells
- 8 oz wheel of Brie cheese
- ½ cup of sweet fig jam
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Remove the white rind from the cheese wheel. This can be easily done by gently scraping the surface of the brie with a vegetable peeler.
Place the phyllo cups onto a baking sheet that has been linen with parchment paper. If you are using frozen cups, there is no need to thaw them first. You can also bake the bites in a mini muffin tin.
Cut the brie into 1″ cubes and place them into the shells. The cheese will melt and spread, so there is no need to fill the shells completely.
Spoon a teaspoon of fig jam on top of the brie in each shell.
Bake the brie bites in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Once out of the oven, let the bites cool for a couple of minutes. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and a sprig of thyme.
