Craving a quick, flavorful appetizer inspired by French cuisine? This creamy baked Brie appetizer is simple, elegant, and ready in about 20 minutes. With only seven main ingredients and minimal prep, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that works for weeknight dinners, parties, or a cozy snack.
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This baked Brie pairs creamy cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic and fragrant herbs for an effortless appetizer. It requires no advanced cooking skills, is easy to customize, and makes a lovely centerpiece for casual meals or entertaining. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 block brie
- 300 g cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon oregano seasoning
- 1 baguette
See the recipe card for exact quantities and servings.
Instructions for this Easy Brie Appetizer
Prepare the Brie.
Add the Garlic.
Season, Drizzle & Bake.
Serve & Enjoy
Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 360 °F (182 °C) and position the rack in the center.
Prepare the Brie: Place the Brie on a small baking dish. With a sharp knife, make four shallow cuts across the top to form a cross, cutting about halfway into the cheese.
Add garlic: Thinly slice the garlic cloves and tuck the slices into the cuts on top of the Brie so that the garlic will infuse its flavor as the cheese bakes.
Add cherry tomatoes: Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the Brie in the baking dish. Use as many as you like—300 g is a good starting point for 3–4 people.
Season and drizzle: Sprinkle oregano seasoning over the Brie and tomatoes. Drizzle with the olive oil to coat evenly and place a sprig of rosemary on top of the Brie for aroma and flavor.
Prepare the baguette: Slice the baguette thinly and arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle each slice lightly with olive oil and dust with a little oregano.
Bake: Put the baking dish with the Brie and tomatoes plus the baguette slices in the preheated oven. Bake 15–20 minutes, until the Brie is soft and gooey and the tomatoes are just blistered.
Serve: Transfer the Brie to a serving plate, surround it with the toasted baguette slices, and serve immediately while warm. Guests can spoon or spread the melted Brie onto bread and top with roasted tomatoes and garlic.
Substitutions
Cheese: Camembert or a triple-cream cheese are excellent alternatives if you can’t find Brie.
Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes work similarly; diced Roma tomatoes can be used if you prefer larger pieces.
Garlic options: If fresh garlic isn’t available, use garlic paste, garlic powder, or flakes—adjust amounts to taste.
Oils: Avocado or neutral oils such as canola can replace olive oil; melted butter also adds richness.
Herbs: If you don’t have rosemary, try thyme, marjoram, sage, or a Herbes de Provence blend. For oregano seasoning, an Italian seasoning mix or a mix of dried basil and thyme will work.
Equipment
- Small baking dish or circular baking tray
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Baking sheet for baguette slices
Storage
Store leftovers wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350 °F (175 °C) oven for 5–10 minutes until warm. Avoid microwaving, which can overheat the cheese and alter the texture.
3 Top Tips for Success
Choose quality ingredients: A good Brie and ripe cherry tomatoes make a big difference. Use fresh garlic and herbs for the best flavor.
Watch the bake time: Remove the Brie when it’s soft and slightly oozing, not completely collapsed. Tomatoes should be blistered but not overly shriveled.
Adjust seasonings: Taste as you go when experimenting with herbs and spices. A light hand preserves the delicate Brie flavor; a pinch of red pepper flakes adds heat if desired.
FAQ
Serve baked Brie warm with sliced baguette, crackers, or crostini. Offer honey, nuts, fruit preserves, or roasted tomatoes and garlic so guests can customize each bite.
Brie pairs beautifully with bread and crackers, fresh fruit like apples or grapes, honey, nuts, and charcuterie such as prosciutto or salami.
Spoon or spread Brie onto a cracker or slice of bread. Enjoy it slowly to savor the creamy texture and subtle flavors.
Pairing
Serve this baked Brie with simple sides to complement its creaminess. Good matches include garlic-parmesan fries, stuffed peppers, a light salad, or a refreshing lemonade for balance.
Easy Brie Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 block brie
- 300 g cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 teaspoon oregano seasoning
- 1 baguette
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Small baking dish or circular baking tray
- Baking sheet
Method
- Preheat oven to 360 °F (182 °C) and place a rack in the center.
- Place the Brie on a baking dish and score the top in a cross pattern, cutting halfway through.
- Thinly slice garlic and tuck slices into the cuts on top of the Brie.
- Scatter cherry tomatoes around the Brie in the dish.
- Sprinkle oregano seasoning over the Brie and tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil, and place rosemary on top.
- Slice the baguette, drizzle slices with oil, and season lightly with oregano; arrange on a baking sheet.
- Bake both the Brie and baguette slices 15–20 minutes until the Brie is soft and gooey and tomatoes are blistered.
- Transfer the Brie to a serving platter, arrange bread around it, and serve warm.
Food safety
- Do not leave perishable food sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use appropriate oils and cook at recommended temperatures to avoid smoke and off-flavors.
- Ensure good kitchen ventilation when cooking on gas or at high heat.
Follow common food-safety guidelines when handling dairy, bread, and fresh produce.