Your appetiser game just levelled up with these mini fig and brie puff pastry bites. They’re a delightful combination of rich, creamy brie cheese, sweet jammy figs, and flaky puff pastry. These bite-sized treats look fancy despite being easy to make, and are irresistibly moreish.
I was grocery shopping one summer evening, seeking refuge from the humidity in the cool aisles of the supermarket, when I spotted a pack of figs on clearance. I stood there contemplating buying it for a while because I’m the only one at home who likes them – can I really eat all 8 myself? 😂 I love fresh figs with a thin drizzle of honey, on yoghurt, chia pudding, or oats; even on their own. But these figs were on the brink of overripeness, and would need to be used right away… Challenge accepted.
Cue these adorable fig and brie bites. The inspiration definitely came from my Strawberry Brie En Croute, but this time I wanted an open pie in small bite sized pieces. The result? Fig and brie puff pastry bites, perfect as appetisers or party finger food.
Ingredients
These moreish appetisers only need 4 main ingredients.
- Brie – this classical French cheese adds a creamy richness to these flaky bites. Classic, double, and triple creme brie all work perfectly. The rind on brie is edible, it adds a wonderful texture to the cheese. Choosing to keep it or remove it is completely up to you. I like to remove it in these types of recipes to avoid any potential bitterness.
- Fresh figs – using fresh figs to make your own filling allows you to control the level of sweetness in the recipe. It also allows you to make a ‘wetter’ filling that further thickens while baking. Using a ready made fig jam may burn during the baking process.
- Honey – I use honey to add an earthy sweetness. You can replace the honey with maple syrup.
- Puff pastry – try not to skimp on a good quality store bought pastry. Opting for store bought pastry saves time without compromising on taste.
Overview: How to make Fig and Brie Bites
Creating these delectable fig and brie puff pastry bites is simpler than you might think. Begin by roughly dicing the figs and gently simmering them with honey, vanilla (optional), and water for 5 minutes. Once softened, set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 12 cup patty pan. Partially thaw the puff pastry sheets and cut rounds to match your pan’s size. Alternatively, cut pastry into squares and use a greased muffin pan. Cut brie into bite-sized pieces after cooling or freezing for 5 minutes (this makes cutting it easier). Assemble the bites with the brie and fig filling, then bake for 15 minutes or ’til golden brown.
FAQ
What pairs with brie?
Brie pairs so well with fruits, nuts and herbs. Pairings such as brie and pecans, cracked pepper, thyme and/or rosemary all make great flavour combinations for savoury treats. Brie with nuts and fruits also go well for something sweeter, especially with an added drizzle of honey. Brie also pairs excellently with fruits (as well as fruit jams). Fruits that go with brie include figs, pears, grapes, strawberries, apricots, and other stone fruits.
Do you take the rind off brie before baking?
The rind on brie is completely edible, keeping it on will help the cheese hold its shape when baked. In a recipe like this one where we cut the brie into bite sized pieces, removing the rind lends space for the brie to melt and ooze within the puff pastry (can I get a YUM, please!). It also reduces the likelihood of any underlying bitterness becoming apparent.
Variations to the Recipe
While these classic Fig and Brie Puff Pastry Bites are a crowd-pleaser, don’t hesitate to put your creative spin on them:
- Nutty Delight: Sprinkle chopped toasted nuts like walnuts or almonds over the brie for added crunch and flavour.
- Herbs and Spices: Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, or a pinch of cinnamon for a unique twist.
- Other filling ideas: A ready made fig jam diluted in a few tablespoons of water (to avoid burning while baking), apple butter, apricot preserves, pumpkin butter, or macerated strawberries are all great fillings for these mini bites.
- Extra honey: A drizzle of honey over the finished bites adds an extra layer of flavour complexity.
Fig and Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Equipment
- 12 cup patty pan
- small saucepan
- round cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 125 g brie cheese
- 4 fresh figs, extra for garnish (optional)
- 2 tbsp honey, extra for garnish (optional)
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tsp vanilla, (optional)
- thyme for garnish, (optional)
- oil spray to lightly grease patty pan
Instructions
- Place brie in the freezer for 5 minutes to slightly firm up. Dice figs and place into saucepan, along with honey, water, and vanilla if using.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes while lightly mashing with a wooden spoon. If filling appears too thick and caramelised, add extra water, one tablespoon at a time.Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Preheat the oven to 190ºC / 375ºF conventional, or 170ºC / 350ºF fan forced.
- Partially thaw frozen puff pastry sheets. Meanwhile, remove brie from freezer, remove rind (optional), and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Cut puff pastry sheets into 12 rounds using a cookie cutter, and place on a lightly greased patty pan.
- Assemble the pastries by placing a piece of brie and a level teaspoon of the fig filling in each pastry. Do not overfill.
- Place in the middle rack of your oven, and bake for 12-15 minutes, or brie has melted and pastries are golden brown.Set aside to cool slightly, before serving with an extra drizzle of honey, thyme, and fresh fig slices, if desired.
Tried it? Let me know if you liked it!
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