These Pear Brie Cracker Bites bring together the perfect mix of creamy, sweet, and savory flavors in an easy to assemble bite-sized appetizer. They’re a crowd-pleaser that look festive and sophisticated, thanks to the whipped brie and juicy pear slices. This 10-minute recipe is perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or any time you want to serve a snack that's impressive yet effortless.
This snack combines classic flavors of pear and brie with a bit of extra flavor for balance, adding a subtle kick from chili flakes and a touch of warmth and sweetness from honey. The cranberry seed crackers add an extra layer of flavor and texture, pairing beautifully with the creamy whipped brie and juicy, ripe pear slices.
They're a quick and easy appetizer to assemble as guests arrive to set the tone for the evening.
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Why You'll love this Recipe
- These bites are the ideal appetizer for fall and winter gatherings.
- It will keep guests coming back for more with a balance flavor and texture.
- It takes 10 minutes to assemble with no cook needed, and the whipped brie can be prepped ahead of time. One of your guests can even put it together for you with minimal instructions!
Ingredients - Notes and Substitutions
- Pear - Use slightly firm, ripe pears of any kind. I used Red D'Anjou pears in this instance. You'll only need 1-2 pears.
- Brie - Remove the rind from the brie if desired but the honey will mellow it out.
- Crackers - Grab cranberry seed crackers that are in season around fall. They are sweet, savory, and super crispy which is perfect to hold up to a juicy pear.
- Herbs - Use fresh rosemary or thyme.
- Honey - A bit of honey mellows out the brie. Use maple syrup as a substitute.
- Red Chili Flakes - Add a bit of heat to the appetizer for balance but feel free to leave it out.
Instead of fresh pears, feel free to use pear jam on top of the brie.
How to Make Pear Brie Cracker Bites
To prep, thinly slice a pear lengthwise and cut each piece into half. If the pear is especially soft and juicy, lay them out on to a paper towel for 15 minutes to soak up some of the juice to prevent the crackers from getting soggy.
- Step 1: Roughly cube the brie and add it to a food processor, optionally removing the rind if desired.
- Step 2: Run the food processor on the low setting until the brie is smooth, about 4-5 minutes.
If the brie is too thick or pungent, add a tablespoon of heavy cream to loosen the mixture and continue whipping until it's smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Lay the crackers out on a platter.
- Step 4: Top the crackers with a thin slice of pear.
- Step 5: Pipe a dollop of brie on to each cracker.
- Step 6: Drizzle honey on to each cracking. Garnish with a sprinkle of flaky salt, red chili flakes, and a small sprig of rosemary.
Serve the Pear Brie Cracker Bites immediately.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use ripe but firm pears: A ripe, slightly firm pear will slice easily and hold its shape, adding sweetness without becoming too soft.
- Temperature of the brie: Bring the brie to room temperature before whipping. It will be thick to start and loosen up after a few minutes in the food processor.
- Customize the flavor: If you want to tone down the spice, use just a pinch of chili flakes, or skip them altogether. For an extra burst of flavor, add a dash of balsamic reduction on top.
- Make-ahead tips: Prep the whipped brie in advance, but wait to assemble until just before serving to keep the crackers from getting soft. Use pear jam instead of fresh pears.
Serving Suggestions
These Pear Brie Cracker Bites are perfect on their own as a quick appetizer, but they also pair well with a glass of chilled white wine, champagne, or even a spiced mulled wine for a holiday touch.
Arrange them on a charcuterie board alongside nuts, a Cranberry Pistachio Goat Cheese Log, and fresh grapes to create a beautiful, seasonal spread. If you have leftover brie, try these Mango Chutney Brie Bites or Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread.
Storage Instructions
Unfortunately, assembled cracker bites don’t store well once prepared, so only make as many as you plan to eat right away.
If you have leftovers, store the whipped brie and sliced pear separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 1 day. For best results, assemble fresh when ready to serve to ensure the crackers stay crisp and the pear slices don’t brown.
More Fall Appetizers to try
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Pear Brie Cracker Bites
Equipment
- Serving Platter
Ingredients
- 5 ounces cranberry seed crackers, (~16 crackers)
- 8 ounces brie cheese
- 1-2 pears, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, for garnish
- flaky salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cube the room temperature brie* and transfer it to a food processor. Run the food processor on low for 4-5 minutes until the brie is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the whipped brie into a piping bag and cut the tip.
- Lay out the cranberry seed crackers on a serving platter. Place a slice of ripe pear on top of each cracker. Pipe a dollop of whipped brie on top of the pear.
- Drizzle a small amount of honey over each cracker bite.
- Sprinkle each cracker with a pinch of red chili flake, followed by a few flakes of sea salt. Garnish with a small sprig of rosemary on top of each bite.
- Serve immediately, so the crackers stay crisp and the pear stays fresh.
Notes
- If assembling ahead, place the pears on paper towels to soak up the juice so that the crackers don't get soggy too fast.
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