Bacon, Cranberry and Brie Canapés With Filo Pastry

Bring the magic of the holiday season to your table with Cranberry and Brie Canapés With Filo Pastry. These bite-sized wonders pair creamy brie cheese with tart and sweet cranberry sauce and salty bacon, all wrapped up in crisp, golden filo for the perfect holiday appetizer. It's a classic combination that's sure to steal the spotlight at any festive gathering!

Jump to:

• Festive, Indulgent, Crispy 
• But What is Filo Pastry? 
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Step-By-Step Method
• Serving Suggestions
• Storage
• More Canape Recipes
• Bacon, Cranberry and Brie Canapés With Filo Pastry

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Festive, Indulgent, Crispy 

Cranberry Brie Bites are the ultimate holiday party snack for us. They have everything you could want in a festive nibble: gooey brie, crispy filo, and a pop of sweet-tart cranberry that feels quintessentially Christmas in the UK-or Thanksgiving in the US. It's funny how cranberries bridge two holiday traditions, isn't it? Whether you're British or American, these tasty morsels are a total show stealer.

For me, these bites are a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce after Christmas dinner. 

So whether you're hosting the next dinner party or planning your holiday menu, these cranberry brie bites are guaranteed to bring indulgence, festivity, and crispy perfection to your table. That's the magic of melted cheese wrapped in something crisp.

But What is Filo Pastry? 

Filo pastry, also known as phyllo pastry or phyllo dough, is the secret to creating impressively crispy and golden appetizers without the stress of homemade dough. This ultra-thin pastry is layered with a touch of olive oil or melted butter, resulting in delicate, flaky perfection when baked. The best part? Shop-bought filo dough is already rolled and ready to use, making it the ultimate shortcut for festive appetizers.

Its versatility and speed in the kitchen make it a go-to for party hosts. Whether you're creating easy appetizers, desserts, or savoury bakes, filo is the MVP that delivers rave reviews every time. And those crispy edges? Absolutely irresistible! Perfect for the festive season, filo ensures your canapés are as stunning as they are delicious.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Five simple ingredients for this easy recipe:

• bacon lardons: or cubed pancetta. You can also use bacon rashers cut into small pieces.  
• filo pastry sheets: we had XL filo sheets measuring 25x45cm, and cut them into squares of approximately 12x12 cm. 
• olive oil: or melted butter. 
• brie: cut into 10g chunks. We also tried these with different cheese, including goat cheese, feta cheese (or try our Feta Puff Pastry Bites instead!) and even cream cheese, so feel free to experiment next time. 
• cranberry sauce: use your favourite shop-bought or homemade cranberry sauce. 

Find ingredient quantities, full recipe and nutritional values in the recipe card at the end of this post. 

Step-By-Step Method

1. First, fry bacon cubes/ lardons until very crispy. Remove them from the pan and let them cool down.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Cut the filo pastry sheets into equal-sized squares of around 12x12cm (5 inches) - we got 16 squares. This makes a two-bite appetizer. You can use a sharp knife, but kitchen scissors work wonders here.

TOP TIP: Always cover the pastry with a slightly damp tea towel when you're not working with it. It dries out very quickly and becomes brittle (meaning, your melted cheese will leak out of the little parcels). 

4. Place one square on the work surface, and brush it with a little oil using a pastry brush. Place a second square of filo on top at a 90 angle, so that corners misalign (see photo below).

5. Place a piece of brie in the centre, top it with ½-¾ teaspoon of cranberry sauce and scatter some bacon on top.

6. Bring the opposite corners and edges toward the centre, gently twisting and pressing them together to secure the filling and seal the small filo parcels. Dab the tops and sides with a little bit of extra olive oil to aid browning (or spritz with cooking spray). 

7. Place the filo parcels on the prepared baking tray and into a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

8. Let the filo canapes cool down for 5 minutes before serving as the filling will be very hot! Garnish with thinly sliced spring onions or fresh herbs. 

Serving Suggestions

These cranberry and brie canapés are the perfect appetizer for holiday parties, whether you serve them warm from the oven or at room temperature.

Their two-bite size makes them ideal finger food, so guests can mingle without juggling cutlery. A festive choice for Christmas gatherings, these crispy filo parcels are a good idea when you need the perfect canapés to impress without the stress.

Storage

Cranberry bites made with filo pastry are best enjoyed freshly baked when they're crisp and flaky. However, if you have leftovers, don't worry!

Cool them to room temperature, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the oven to regain their crispy texture. While filo pastry is not at its best after refrigeration, a quick oven refresh can help bring these festive treats back to life.

More Canape Recipes

Looking for more easy bites to impress your guests? From classic party foods to creative nibbles, we've got the perfect recipes to make your festive season or next party unforgettable!