Baked Brie with Garlic and Honey

Simple, yet elegant - it's hard to find a more perfect appetizer than warm and gooey baked Brie.

And this baked Brie with garlic recipe might be my favorite version yet. It's so good that my fiancé and I actually finished the whole thing in one day!

What makes this garlic baked Brie recipe so special is the topping.

Freshly minced garlic is mixed with extra virgin olive oil, a touch of honey, and fresh thyme for a sweet and savory flavor that compliments the richness of the cheese.

Today, I’m walking you through how to make the best baked Brie with garlic, including which ingredients to use, tips for success, and easy ways you can customize this recipe to make it your own.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Savory & Sweet Topping- The combination of savory garlic, thyme, and olive oil is balanced with a hint of sweetness from the honey.
• Ready in 30 Minutes- This baked Brie with garlic and herbs can be made in less than 30 minutes. It's perfect for a last-minute get-together.
• Easy to Make- With its simple preparation and short ingredient list, this easy appetizer recipe is ideal for beginner home cooks.
• Perfect for Parties- This baked Brie with garlic not only looks beautiful but also tastes delicious and is easily sharable.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Brie Cheese- This recipe uses an 8-ounce round of Brie. When you score it, be sure to only score the top to allow the flavors to infuse while keeping the structure intact.
• Garlic- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Finely mincing the garlic ensures an even distribution across the top of the cheese.
• Thyme- Fresh thyme leaves add an earthy, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
• Honey- Balances the savoriness of the other ingredients with a hint of sweetness.
• Olive Oil- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Grow your own thyme as a perennial herb in your garden or in a container. This reduces food and packaging waste and gives you access to fresh thyme whenever you need it.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this easy baked Brie with garlic to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Brie Cheese- Substitute Brie cheese for Camembert cheese. Camembert cheese is another bloomy rind cheese with a slightly stronger flavor compared to Brie.
• Garlic- Swap fresh minced garlic for roasted garlic, shallots, or chives.
• Thyme- Use a small pinch of dried thyme leaves in place of fresh. Rosemary also makes a good substitute for thyme.
• Honey- Maple syrup can be used in place of honey to add sweetness to the baked Brie.
• Olive Oil- Substitute olive oil for avocado oil or melted butter.

Variations

• Pastry-Wrapped- Wrap the Brie cheese in puff pastry and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Chopped Nuts- Add chopped and toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios for a crunchy texture.
• Dried Fruit- Dried cranberries, apricots, figs, or dates add texture and sweetness.
• Jam- A layer of fruit jam adds extra sweetness and flavor. Try this garlic baked Brie recipe with spiced cranberry jam, blueberry jam, or strawberry apple jam.
• Pesto- Spread basil pesto over the Brie before baking for herbaceous, garlicky flavor.
• Balsamic- A drizzle of balsamic vinegar adds acidity and can help balance the richness of the Brie cheese and olive oil.
• Spicy- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic-olive oil mixture to give the Brie a spicy kick.

How to Make Baked Brie with Garlic

Here is how to make garlic baked Brie.

Step 1: Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 350℉.

Step 2: Place Brie in baking dish. Unwrap the Brie and place it inside a shallow baking dish or pie plate that is slightly larger than the cheese wheel.

Step 3: Score the Brie. Using a knife, score the top of the Brie in a criss-cross pattern, ensuring you only cut through the top rind.

Step 4: Make garlic and oil mixture. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, minced garlic, and thyme until well combined.

Step 5: Top Brie with oil mixture. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the top of the scored Brie, ensuring it spreads evenly to cover the entire surface.

Step 6: Bake the Brie. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the Brie is melted through. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy. Serve immediately with your choice of crackers, crostini, or bread. Baked Brie will stay soft and scoopable for about 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Baked Brie with Garlic (Video)

Tips for Success

Make this baked Brie with garlic recipe successfully the first time using these helpful kitchen tips.

• Choose high-quality ingredients. Since this baked Brie with garlic requires only a few ingredients, it's worth it to splurge on the highest quality ingredients you can afford.
• Bake on parchment paper. If you want to transfer your baked Brie to a separate serving plate, it's best to bake it on a small piece of parchment paper. Brie is gooey and delicate when hot and the parchment paper makes it easier to transfer.
• Score carefully. When scoring the Brie, use a sharp knife and cut only through the top rind. This allows the flavors to infuse while maintaining the structure.
• Finely mince the garlic. Finely mincing the garlic allows for a more even distribution of garlic flavor.
• Spread the topping evenly. Spread the topping out over the entire surface to ensure each bite has a bit of garlicky goodness.
• Bake just before serving. Baked garlic Brie is best enjoyed immediately after baking while it's still warm and gooey. It will stay scoopable for about 15-20 minutes.

What to Serve with Garlic Baked Brie

Garlic baked Brie is an indulgent appetizer that pairs well with a variety of snacks and sides. Whether you're serving it on its own or as part of a charcuterie spread, your pairing options are endless.

Of course, nothing is more classic than pairing cheese with bread or crackers. I love serving this baked Brie with garlic alongside sourdough bread, sourdough crackers, garlic bread, or breadsticks.

To balance the richness of the Brie, try serving it with fresh fruit, vegetables, or a salad. Some delicious options include apple slices, fresh berries, grapes, carrot sticks, spinach Caprese salad, or arugula quinoa salad.

Finally, if you're planning a party, this honey garlic baked Brie makes an excellent addition to a charcuterie board. Pair it with cranberry jam, dill pickles, pickled banana peppers, cured meats, dried fruits, nuts, and more.

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

Baked Brie is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.

This is because cooling and reheating the Brie repeatedly can cause the texture of the cheese to change and become unpleasant.

However, if you do have leftover cheese, let it cool completely. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat

For best results, reheat baked Brie in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melty and soft. You can also microwave the cheese in 30-second intervals until hot.

Make Ahead

While baked Brie with garlic is best served fresh out of the oven, you can still get a head start on the preparation.

Make the olive oil mixture up to several days in advance. This will not only save you time but also give the garlic and thyme a chance to infuse their flavors into the olive oil and honey.

Frequently Asked Questions

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