These Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites are the ultimate holiday appetizer, crispy phyllo cups filled with melty brie, toasted pecans, and a splash of bourbon. Ready in just 20 minutes, these easy brie bites are perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering.
Simple and delicious, Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites are just what a Southern appetizer should be!
A quick look at the recipe
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Bake time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 15 bites (1 package of phyllo shells)
- Make ahead: Assemble and freeze, bake just before serving
- Freezer-friendly: Yes, up to 3 months
Reader rave
"Made these for our holiday party and they were a hit! So delicious and easy to make!." - ★★★★★ Reader Review from Debbie
Jump to:
- A quick look at the recipe
- Reader rave
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Easy variations for brie bites
- How to make this recipe for Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
- Serving suggestions
- Recipe FAQs
- Tips to ensure these brie bites turn out perfectly
- More Southern appetizers you’ll love
- Recipe:
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick & easy: Just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes.
- Holiday ready: Ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve parties.
- Crowd-pleasing: Just like my cranberry brie bites, buffalo chicken bites, and spinach and goat cheese bites, they are sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy in one bite.
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble ahead, freeze, and bake before serving.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Let's talk ingredients: what you need, what you can swap, and how to make it work with what's in your pantry. The full list is waiting down in the recipe card.
- Phyllo cups - Sometimes called "filo cups," these prebaked, store-bought shells are the perfect shortcut.
- Brie - A soft, creamy cheese that melts beautifully. Trim the rind if you prefer smoother texture.
- Pecans - Toasted Southern pecans bring crunch and nutty flavor.
- Brown sugar - Sweetens and caramelizes with the bourbon.
- Bourbon - Bourbon: a classic Southern spirit that adds depth. For a non-alcoholic option, try one teaspoon of vanilla extract; it balances the sweetness without overpowering, or just leave the bourbon out.
- Butter - Ties the topping together and adds richness.
"They say good things come in small packages. Down South, we say they come in phyllo cups."
Easy variations for brie bites
- Cranberry brie bites - Swap the pecan topping for cranberry sauce.
- Fig or apricot preserves - Add a sweet, fruity layer.
- Pepper jelly brie bites - For a sweet-and-spicy twist or try bacon and onion jam.
- Puff pastry brie bites - Use puff pastry squares in a mini muffin pan instead of phyllo cups for a flaky variation.
How to make this recipe for Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Trim the rind from the brie (optional) and cut into ½-inch cubes.
- In a small bowl, stir together the pecans, brown sugar, bourbon, and butter.
- Place a cube of brie in each phyllo cup.
- Spoon about ½ teaspoon of the pecan mixture over the brie. Arrange the filled cups on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serving suggestions
These brie bites shine on a holiday appetizer platter or Christmas charcuterie board with:
- Southern Cheese Crackers (buttery, crisp, and addictive)
- Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls (make-ahead and festive)
- Relish tray (for variety)
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Assemble but don't bake, freeze in the tray the phyllo cups came in, and bake just before serving.
You can, but they're best frozen unbaked and then baked fresh.
Yes, it's edible and adds flavor. But feel free to trim it if you prefer a smoother melt.
Tips to ensure these brie bites turn out perfectly
- Keep phyllo cups frozen until ready to use for maximum crispness.
- Toast pecans: To quickly toast a small amount of pecans, microwave chopped nuts on a saucer for 2-3 minutes, tasting and adding 30-second bursts as needed. Or roast in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes (whole pecans take longer).
- Double the recipe because they disappear fast!
- Make ahead: Assemble but don't bake; freeze in the original trays for up to 3 months. Bake straight from thawed.
More Southern appetizers you’ll love
★ If you make these Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites, please leave a comment and star rating. I'd love to know how they turned out for you! And if you're planning your holiday menu, check out more Thanksgiving recipes and Christmas recipes to round out your spread.
Thanks so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!
Recipe:
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Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites Recipe (Easy Holiday Brie Bites Appetizer)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- ¼ cup roasted chopped pecans, *see notes
- 8 ounces round of brie
- 1.9 ounces pkg frozen mini fully baked phyllo shells, 15 shells
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Carefully remove the rind from the brie and discard it. Then, cut the brie into cubes about ½ inch square.
- Add all ingredients but the brie and phyllo shells to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- 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
-
- Keep phyllo cups frozen until ready to use for maximum crispness.
-
- Toast pecans: To quickly toast a small amount of pecans, microwave chopped nuts on a saucer for 2-3 minutes, tasting and adding 30-second bursts as needed. Or roast in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes (whole pecans take longer).
-
- Double the recipe because they disappear fast!
-
- Make ahead: Assemble but don't bake; freeze in the original trays for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen and add another minute or so.
Nutrition
Grits and Pinecones has been serving up delicious recipes with a Southern flair for nearly a decade. From tried-and-true classics to easy modern favorites, every dish is made with simple ingredients and plenty of love.
Whether you're planning a holiday feast, a Sunday supper, or a quick weeknight meal, you'll find recipes here that are quick, easy, and perfect to share with family and friends.
Nancy
Only a 4 because I did what was said with the pecans. I put them on a corelle sauces and at 4 minutes it exploded in my microwave! Way too long to toast. I repeated with new and only left it in at 2 minutes and was perfect.
Leona
Have made these a few times and yes they disappear quickly, everyone loves them including me! I didn’t have bourbon but used brandy.
Sharon Rigsby
Hi Leona, I’m so glad you liked them. I’ll have to try brandy next time I make them. Great idea!
All the best,
Sharon
Sylvia
If I wanted to use crescent roll dough instead of the phyllo dough,how would that work?
Sharon Rigsby
Hi Sylvia, I have never made them with crescent roll dough, but I have seen a few recipes online that use it. Here is a link to one of them. https://www.thecountrycook.net/cranberry-brie-bites/. I hope this helps.
All the best,
Sharon
Debbie
Are you supposed to put the filling in the filo cups and freeze everything or just the cups ahead of baking
Sharon Rigsby
Yes, put the filling in the cups and freeze everything. I hope you enjoy them!
Debbie Caruso
Made these for our holiday party and they were a hit! So delicious and easy to make!!
Sharon Rigsby
Thank you, Debbie! I’m so happy you liked them!
Ashley
I was scrolling through the delicious recipes. I did a double take when I saw the Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites. Wholy Smokes.. Those look Amazing.. I want to make those and eat them all.. LOL That looks like a home run for sure! A huge hit for any party!
Sharon Rigsby
Hi Ashley, thank you for your sweet comments. This is one of my favorite appetizers and is easy to make. Everyone loves them!
All the best,
Sharon