It’s officially snack season, AKA the best part of the year.
It’s the end of American football season, and we are heading into the early notes of springtime, when we find every excuse to have some friends over and set out a few appetizers.
I love snack season, and I love it even more now that I’ve discovered these mini baked brie bites.
What Makes Them So Special?
For one thing, it’s the minimal ingredients.
Who doesn’t love caramelized onions, hot honey, crispy prosciutto and a tangy fig jam?
All on the most delicious cracker you’ve ever tasted?
Best of all, each and every one of these ingredients can be purchased at Trader Joe’s.
It’s an easy appetizer, affordable, and the perfect appetizer to set out.
Here’s how you make them!
What You’ll Need:
Brie: I just got a block of brie from the cheese section at Trader Joe’s. Some people choose to leave the rind in these bites, but I’d advise against it. Just scoop out some of the brie and you’ll be just fine!
Prosciutto: Yep, you heard me right, this recipe calls for all of the crispy prosciutto. It adds a savory twist and a bit of saltiness to the depth of flavor present in each brie bite, and is oh so delicious.
Fig Jam: I don’t know about you, but when I think of prosciutto, I immediately think of fig jam. I just think it’s the most delicious combination of flavors you could ever find.
Caramelized Onions: We cook them low and we cook them slow. And they are the most perfect addition to these brie bites that you could ever find! Cut your onion into long slices, and make sure they’re on the thinner end.
Crackers: Of course, you don’t have to use crackers. I’ve made these using phyllo cups, in mini muffin tins, crostinis, golden brown crescent roll dough, puff pastries—just about anything else that you can think of.
Hot Honey: This isn’t essential, but in my opinion, makes a world of difference. I use Trader Joe’s hot honey, but if you forget this on your grocery run, any normal hot honey from your local grocery store works just as well.
How To Make These:
On a large baking sheet over parchment paper, lay out your prosciutto pieces and bake at 400 degrees f for about 12-15 minutes or until the prosciutto looks crispy. Use your best judgment for this.
While the oven is preheating, begin to caramelize your onions. Slice them into long, thin strips, and saute them in butter over low heat.
You’re going to want to stir them often to ensure they brown evenly, and generously salt them toward the end of the process. This will take about 20 minutes, and should time up with the prosciutto being ready.
Once your prosciutto is out of the oven, take your brie, and using a butter knife, spread it over the crackers.
Add some fig jam to the crackers with the brie, and top each cracker with some caramelized onions.
Crush the prosciutto into little pieces, and sprinkle the pieces over each little brie bite. Top with one final drizzle of hot honey.
*Author’s Note: If you’re using crostini bread, crescent dough, or phyllo cups and want the cheese to be warmed and melty, pop everything in the oven one final time for about 5 minutes before adding the fig spread and the honey.
This will yield the most delicious melted brie cheese bites, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
FAQs:
Q: I don’t like figs. Is there any other jam that would taste better with this?
A: Absolutely! Cranberry jam is another delicious option to use with this, and everyone loves cranberry brie bites (these taste especially well during the holiday season).
Of course, you can use tart cranberry sauce if you don’t have cranberry jam on hand. Apple butter or apple jam is also delicious with these.
Another unsuspecting type of jam would be strawberry rhubarb, particularly if you’re making this recipe deep in the springtime.
Q: Can I make this recipe and store it ahead of time?
A: Due to the flavors being their best immediately, I’m going to have to say no.
However, you can make the onions ahead of time, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and heat them up right before you make this app.
If you choose to go that route, it’ll cut down your cooking labor significantly!
Q: What are other soft cheeses that can serve as a brie replacement?
A: There’s a world of possibilities when it comes to soft cheeses. Try brillat-savarin, goat cheese, casatica di bufala, ricotta cheese, or even a fancy cream cheese with this delicious appetizer!
Q: What are some other things that I could add to these creamy brie cheese bites?
A: A sprig of rosemary, both for flavor and aesthetics, would pair wonderfully with these.
I love to add apple slices, especially if I’m making apple butter or pumpkin butter brie bites.
You can also add a little bit of arugula to each of your mini brie bites if you’d like.
That’s the beauty of this winning appetizer, you can really do whatever you’d like with it!
Other Delicious Appetizers To Try:
- Greek bruschetta with feta and tomato
- Stuffed mushrooms with crab meat
- Classic Italian bruschetta with mozzarella cheese
- Focaccia with wild oregano and cherry tomatoes
Want to throw a party just for snacking? Check out our guide on how to throw a wine and appetizer party!
Print
Mini Baked Brie Bites: Easy Trader Joe’s Appetizer
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
Ingredients
- ½ large white onion, sliced lengthwise into thin strips
- One smaller block of brie cheese
- One jar of fig jam
- 4–5 slices of prosciutto
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 package of crackers of your choice
- 1 tsp salt
- Hot honey to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°
- While your oven is heating, lay out the prosciutto on a large baking sheet over a piece of parchment paper. When the oven is ready, pop the prosciutto in for about 12-15 minutes or until crispy.
- While that is going on, melt your butter over low heat in a frying pan. Add your onions, and stir every minute or so until they are brown, cooked down, and caramelized. This should take about 20 minutes. Salt the onions generously at the end.
- Once the onions and prosciutto are both ready, spread some brie cheese over each cracker.
- Add some fig jam and the caramelized onions to each cracker.
- Take your prosciutto and break it up with your hands, crushing it into little pieces. Sprinkle each cracker with the prosciutto pieces.
- Top with one final drizzle of hot honey, serve immediately, and enjoy!
