Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites are a show-stopping, Southern appetizer baked in crispy phyllo cups that are perfect for all of your entertaining needs. I guarantee that these decadent, make-ahead bourbon appetizers will be devoured in minutes, so be sure to make plenty.
These five-ingredient baked-brie bites pack a lot of flavor and texture into every bite, and you’ll be happy to know they’re incredibly quick and easy to make!
Whether you make them for the Super Bowl, Christmas holidays, or a special occasion, no one will be able to resist the flaky phyllo cups full of creamy brie cheese and topped with roasted pecans, brown sugar, and a splash of bourbon. Simple and delicious, Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites are just what a Southern appetizer should be!
Here’s what’s in them:
- Phyllo cups: sometimes spelled “Filo” cups, these prebaked, store-bought crispy shells are versatile and can be filled with sweet or savory ingredients to make perfect appetizers or desserts.
- Brie: a soft, creamy, buttery cheese that melts beautifully and provides a great foundation for the brown sugar, pecans, and bourbon mixture.
- Roasted pecans: grown in the South, sweet buttery pecans add a delicious crunch and are an essential ingredient for this bourbon appetizer.
- Brown sugar: combines with the pecans and bourbon to make a simple topping for this delicious make-ahead Southern appetizer.
- Bourbon: made from corn and mostly distilled and bottled in the South, bourbon’s deep sweet flavor pairs particularly well with the pecans, brown sugar, and brie.
- Butter: adds a sweet creamy taste and brings everything together.
How to make this recipe:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Carefully cut the rind from the brie and discard it. Then, cut the cheese into cubes about ½ inch square.
- Add all ingredients but the cheese and phyllo shells to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Place a cube of brie into each phyllo shell.
- Top each shell with ½ teaspoon of the bourbon pecan mixture.
- Place the full shells on a small baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm or at room temperature.
Sharon’s Expert Tips:
The rind on brie is edible and can either be left on or cut off. It does not melt quite as well as the brie, but it does have a sweet, mild taste, and it’s really your preference. Leaving it on does save a step in making these brie cheese bites.
To roast the pecans, place the chopped pecans on a microwaveable saucer and microwave for 5-6 minutes. Or, place on a baking sheet and roast in a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes.
I would make twice as many of these baked brie bites as you think you will need. They will go fast!
To make ahead, follow the directions but do not bake. Place the filled phyllo shells back in the plastic tray they came in and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Place the tray back in the box and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Allow the brie bites to thaw for about 30 minutes before baking and bake as directed.
When you look for the shells at the grocery store, you might notice two spellings for the phyllo shells. Some brands call their shells phyllo and some filo. They are the same thing.
Variations: pepper jelly, fig preserves, cranberry sauce, or even your favorite jam or preserves can be substituted for the bourbon pecan topping.
More southern appetizer recipes:
Speaking of holiday appetizers, here are some of my favorite party food recipes that would be great for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party too!
- Three-Ingredient Cranberry Brie Bites
- Classic Jezebel Sauce and Cream Cheese
- The Ultimate Blue Cheese Spread with Pecans
- Quick and Easy Hanky Panky Recipe
- Havarti and Sun-Dried Tomato Cheesecake
- Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
- Hot and Cheesy Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip
- Crispy Southern Cheese Crackers
- Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets
- Easy Make-Ahead Caprese Skewers
Can you tell I love appetizers? If you need more inspiration or menu ideas, check out all of my appetizer recipes here.
★ If you make Bourbon Pecan Bites, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!
📋 Recipe:
Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- ¼ cup roasted chopped pecans
- 8 ounces round of brie
- 1.9 ounces pkg frozen mini fully baked phyllo shells 15 shells
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add all ingredients but the brie and phyllo shells to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Carefully remove the rind from the brie and discard the rind. Then, cut the brie into cubes about ¼ inch square.
- Place a cube of brie into each phyllo shell and top with ½ teaspoon of the bourbon pecan mixture.
- Place the full shells on a small baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until the brie has melted and is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
These are truly tasty. Made then and took them to an app party and they were the most popular item!
Love this recipe! Always a big hit at parties. Never any left to bring home!!
Can these be assembled a day before and kept covered in the fridge, then baked right before serving? Thank you.
Hey Betty, I usually assemble them, put them back in the phyllo package and store them in the freezer till I’m ready to bake them.
I hope you enjoy them!
Sharon
Just to be sure…I do I cook the brown sugar and butter before I put stir it up with the pecans and bourbon? Or it the only cooking happening when the bites go in the oven?
Hi Lenora, you only bake the brie bites once they are completely assembled. You do not cook the brown sugar and butter mixture; just mix it together.
I hope you enjoy them!
Sharon