This baked brie with honey and walnuts is the appetizer that makes people hover near the snack table. It’s warm, gooey, a little sweet, and perfectly crunchy on top.
The best part? You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps. The simple trick is warming the brie just until it’s soft inside—so it turns scoopable, not runny.
Make baked brie with honey and walnuts once and you’ll see why everyone asks for the recipe. It’s better than a restaurant cheese plate, and it’s ready in minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts
- Better than restaurant: That warm, melty center feels special with almost no effort.
- Holiday-ready: It fits right in on any party table or snack board.
- Sweet-salty balance: Honey and walnuts make the brie taste extra rich and buttery.
- No-fuss entertaining: One baking dish, one spoon, and everyone can serve themselves.
- Customizable: Add fruit, herbs, or jam to make it your own.
Ingredients for Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts
Cheese base
- Brie wheel (8–12 oz): The creamy center that turns perfectly gooey in the oven.
- Swap: Camembert works the same way.
- Honey (2–3 tbsp): Sweet finish that soaks into the warm brie.
- Swap: Maple syrup for a deeper, caramel vibe.
Crunchy topping
- Walnuts (1/3 cup, chopped): Toasted nutty crunch that balances the soft cheese.
- Swap: Pecans, sliced almonds, or pistachios.
Flavor boosters (optional, but so good)
- Fresh rosemary (1 tsp chopped) or thyme: Adds a savory, “fancy” note.
- Flaky salt (pinch): Helps the honey taste even brighter.
- Black pepper (tiny pinch): Adds a gentle bite.
For serving
- Crackers, crostini, or sliced baguette
- Apple slices, pears, or grapes
How to Make Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts
- 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the brie in a small oven-safe dish or skillet.
- 2. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring until fragrant. (Trust me, don’t skip this—it wakes up the flavor.)
- 3. Score the brie. Use a small knife to lightly cut a shallow crisscross pattern on the top rind. This helps heat get into the center.
- 4. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the brie feels soft when gently pressed on the sides.
- Pro tip: If it starts to split open, it’s ready. Pull it before it fully collapses.
- 5. Top with honey, toasted walnuts, and a pinch of rosemary (if using). Finish with a tiny pinch of flaky salt.
- 6. Serve immediately with crackers and fruit while it’s warm and scoopable.
Tips for Perfect Baked Brie with Honey and Walnuts
- Use a small baking dish: It keeps the brie contained if the cheese softens a lot.
- Warm, not exploding: Bake just until soft; overbaking can cause the brie to burst.
- Toast the nuts: Toasting makes walnuts taste sweeter and more “buttery.”
- Cut small dippers: Thin apple slices and small crackers scoop best.
- Add salt at the end: A tiny pinch makes the honey taste even better.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add jam: Spoon 1–2 tbsp fig jam or raspberry preserves under the honey.
- Add fruit: Top with sliced pears or dried cranberries for holiday vibes.
- Make it spicy-sweet: Add a small drizzle of hot honey.
- Herb twist: Try thyme, a little orange zest, or a pinch of cinnamon.
- Puff pastry upgrade: Wrap brie in thawed puff pastry and bake until golden (extra impressive, still easy).
Storing & Reheating
Cool leftovers, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a small baking dish at 350°F for 8–10 minutes until soft again. You can also microwave in short bursts, but the oven keeps the texture nicer.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Add to a snack board with cured meats, olives, and grapes.
- Serve before a pasta dinner or roast chicken pieces for an easy entertaining menu.
- Pair with crunchy crackers plus fruit for the best sweet-salty bite.
Reader Review: “I made this for book club and people literally scraped the dish clean. So easy and so good!”
If you make baked brie with honey and walnuts, leave a rating and tell me what you added—jam, herbs, or maybe hot honey?