Air Fryer Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce (Easy Holiday Appetizer)

Name: Air Fryer Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces Fresh cranberries; ½ cup Pure maple syrup; 1 ½ tsp Orange zest; 2 tbsp Fresh juice from orange; ½ cup Granulated sugar (+ 1 tablespoon ); 1 Puff Pastry sheet (thawed); 1 Brie; Egg wash ((Egg scrambled))

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Try a fun appetizer with this Air Fryer Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce that is made with a delicious puff pastry crust and melty center.

Cathy Yoder Published on December 25, 2025 The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Air Fryer Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce

Easy Puff Pastry Baked Brie in the Air Fryer (Holiday Appetizer)

With Christmas right around the corner, I am all about easy holiday appetizer recipes like this Baked Brie with Homemade Cranberry Sauce.

We used to make baked brie in a baking dish in the oven, but cranberry baked brie in the air fryer is the way to go because it cooks faster—and it still comes out golden, flaky, and melty.

Why you’ll love it: This air fryer baked brie with cranberry sauce is party-perfect and feels fancy, but it’s simple enough to make on a weeknight when you want something warm and cozy.

Food-safety note: If you’re serving this at a party, keep hot foods hot and don’t leave them out too long.
USDA food safety basics

Ingredients you need to make Air Fryer Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients for air fryer baked brie with cranberry sauce including cranberries, orange, puff pastry, brie, and egg wash

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
- Fresh cranberries
- Pure maple syrup
- Orange zest
- Fresh juice from an orange
- Granulated sugar
Puff pastry sheet, thawed
Brie (one wheel)
Egg wash

Shortcut option: If you already have cranberry sauce made, you can absolutely use that here (homemade or store-bought). We love our homemade version—here’s our cranberry sauce recipe.

Supplies Needed for Air Fryer Baked Brie

Instant Pot (optional, for the sauce)
Zester
Masher (or a spoon)
Air fryer parchment paper
Pastry brush
Air Fryer (Cosori Pro II)

What to Serve With Air Fryer Baked Brie

This is so simple to throw together and it’s perfect on a cut charcuterie board with jams, honey, nuts, and a little fresh rosemary or thyme.

Crackers
Almonds
Pecans
Apple slices
Strawberries
Blueberries
Sliced meat

How to Prep the Brie

The rind on brie is typically edible, but for the best melty center, we like to either score the top or remove a thin layer from the very top before adding the cranberry sauce. (No need to strip the whole wheel.)

How to Make Air Fryer Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Step 1: Prepare the cranberries

Rinse cranberries and pick through to remove any stems and soft, discolored, or wrinkled berries.

Step 2: Create the sauce

Making cranberry sauce in an Instant Pot with cranberries, orange juice, zest, and syrup

Add syrup, orange zest, orange juice, and cranberries to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.

Close the lid and cook the berries at high pressure for 1 minute, plus 7 minutes natural release. Then do a quick release of the remaining pressure and open the lid carefully.

Step 3: Crush the cranberries

Mashing cranberry sauce after pressure cooking

Mash some of the berries with a spoon, potato masher, or immersion blender, if desired. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar. If needed, add 1 more tablespoon of sugar.

Finished homemade cranberry sauce after mashing and sweetening

Baked Cranberry Brie

Step 1: Prepare the puff pastry

Brie wheel placed on puff pastry sheet lined with air fryer parchment paper

Lay out the puff pastry dough on air fryer parchment paper, then place the brie in the center.

Tip: Score the top of the brie (or remove a thin layer from the top) so the cheese melts beautifully under the cranberry sauce.

Step 2: Top the brie

Cranberry sauce spooned onto the top of brie before wrapping with puff pastry

Spoon cranberry sauce on top of the brie. You likely won’t use all of the cranberry sauce.

Step 3: Wrap with pastry + egg wash

Wrapping brie with puff pastry corners before brushing with egg wash

Fold the corners of the pastry over the brie. Brush the pastry with egg wash.

Egg wash brushed on puff pastry-wrapped brie ready for the air fryer

Step 4: Air fry

Puff pastry baked brie cooking in an air fryer basket

Place the wrapped brie in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 320°F (160°C) for 15–17 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is melty.

Finished air fryer baked brie in puff pastry with cranberry sauce ready to serve

Enjoy with crackers, apple slices, berries, and all your favorites!

Tips for Best Results

Thaw puff pastry fully so it wraps without cracking.
Don’t overload the cranberry sauce—a thick layer is perfect, and extra can be served on the side.
Watch the last 2–3 minutes depending on your air fryer model (browning can happen fast).
Let it rest 5 minutes before cutting so the cheese doesn’t run everywhere.

FAQs

Can you make air fryer baked brie ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the brie in puff pastry and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. Air fry right before serving for the best flaky crust and melty center.

Do you leave the rind on brie when baking?

The rind is usually edible. For easier melting, score the top or remove just a thin layer from the top before adding cranberry sauce—no need to remove the entire rind.

What temperature should you air fry baked brie?

We recommend 320°F. It helps the puff pastry brown nicely while the brie melts evenly without overcooking.

More Air Fryer Appetizers

If you love the idea of this crowd-pleaser appetizer, you’ll love these easy air fryer appetizers too:

Final Thoughts

Sliced air fryer baked brie showing melty cheese inside puff pastry

This simple cranberry mixture with melty brie is going to be the star of any party you bring it to.

Or it’s easy enough to make even if you don’t want to share it. It’s just that delicious.

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