Easy Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme (20 Minutes!)

There’s something undeniably luxurious about warm, melted cheese that transforms a simple gathering into something special. This baked brie with honey and thyme delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, making it the perfect appetizer for both casual get-togethers and elegant dinner parties.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes, you’ll create a show-stopping centerpiece that has everyone reaching for seconds. The creamy brie melts into a velvety puddle of cheesy goodness, while honey adds a delicate sweetness and fresh thyme brings an earthy, aromatic note that balances everything beautifully.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, planning a romantic date night, or simply treating yourself to something special, this easy baked brie recipe never disappoints.

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Why This Baked Brie Recipe Works

Quick and Effortless Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish, this recipe proves that impressive doesn’t have to mean complicated. It’s the ideal solution when unexpected guests arrive or you need a last-minute appetizer.

Crowd-Pleasing Flavor The combination of creamy brie, sweet honey, and aromatic thyme creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that appeals to almost everyone. Even those who claim they “don’t like cheese” often find themselves converted after trying this melted brie appetizer.

Versatile and Adaptable This baked brie with honey works beautifully for any occasion—from casual wine nights to formal holiday celebrations. It’s equally at home at a Super Bowl party or a sophisticated cocktail hour.

Budget-Friendly Elegance You don’t need expensive artisanal brie to achieve incredible results. Standard supermarket brie melts just as beautifully and delivers that luxurious experience without breaking the bank.

Ingredients for Honey Thyme Brie

For the Baked Brie:

• 1 wheel of brie or camembert (8-16 oz / 250-500g) – Choose a wheel with a soft, bloomy rind
• 2-3 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup as an alternative) – Local honey adds wonderful floral notes
• 2-3 fresh thyme sprigs – Fresh herbs make all the difference
• Optional: Flaky sea salt for finishing

For Serving:

• Crostini or crackers – Choose sturdy options that won’t break when scooping
• Fresh fruit – Purple or green grapes, sliced apples, or pear wedges
• Nuts (optional) – Toasted walnuts or pecans add great texture

How to Make Baked Brie with Honey

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Brie

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the brie from its packaging and place it in a small, shallow oven-safe dish or ceramic baker. The dish should be slightly larger than the cheese wheel to catch any oozing cheese while baking.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a suitable baking dish, place the brie on a piece of crumpled parchment paper on a baking sheet. This creates a little “nest” that makes transferring the delicate melted cheese much easier later.

Step 2: Bake Until Perfectly Melted

Place the brie in your preheated oven. Baking time depends on the size of your wheel:

• 8 oz (250g) brie: 15-20 minutes
• 16 oz (500g) brie: 20-25 minutes

The key to perfect baked brie is knowing when to stop. After 15 minutes, gently press the center of the cheese with your finger. It should feel very soft and almost like it’s about to collapse—that’s when it’s ready. The cheese should be gooey inside while maintaining its shape.

Warning: Don’t overbake! The cheese will become firm again if left too long, and you’ll miss that magical melty moment.

Step 3: Add the Honey and Thyme

Remove the baked brie from the oven carefully—it will be very delicate. Immediately drizzle the honey generously over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides. The warmth of the cheese will make the honey flow beautifully into every crevice.

Place fresh thyme sprigs on top for both visual appeal and aromatic flavor. If you like, add a small pinch of flaky sea salt to enhance all the flavors.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your honey baked brie to a serving board or platter if it’s not already in a presentable dish. Arrange crackers, crostini, and fresh fruit around the cheese. Provide a small knife for cutting through the rind and a cheese spreader for scooping the melted goodness.

Serving tip: This appetizer is best enjoyed immediately while the cheese is warm and gooey. It will stay beautifully melted for about 10-15 minutes.

Creative Variations

Nutty Baked Brie

Top your melted brie with toasted pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds for added crunch and richness. The nuts complement the honey perfectly and add textural contrast.

Fruity Twist

Add dried figs, cranberries, or fresh pomegranate seeds on top before serving. The tartness of fruit balances the rich cheese beautifully, especially during the holiday season.

Herb Variations

While thyme is classic, you can experiment with rosemary, sage, or even a combination of herbs. Just be mindful that stronger herbs like rosemary should be used sparingly so they don’t overpower the delicate brie.

Spicy Honey Brie

For those who enjoy a kick, use hot honey or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to regular honey before drizzling. The sweet-spicy combination is surprisingly addictive.

Garlic Lovers’ Version

Add a few roasted garlic cloves alongside the honey for a savory depth that transforms this appetizer entirely.

Expert Tips for Perfect Baked Brie

Choose the Right Size An 8-ounce wheel serves 6-8 people as an appetizer. For larger gatherings, opt for a 16-ounce wheel or bake two smaller ones.

Don’t Remove the Rind The white, bloomy rind is completely edible and helps the cheese hold its shape while baking. It also adds a slight earthy flavor that many people enjoy.

Temperature Matters Let the brie sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking. This ensures more even melting throughout.

Use Quality Honey Since honey is a star ingredient in this recipe, choose one you enjoy eating straight. Local or raw honey adds complexity, but any good-quality honey works wonderfully.

Watch It Closely Every oven is different, so start checking your brie at the 15-minute mark. Those few minutes can make the difference between perfectly gooey and overcooked.

Parchment Paper Hack Crumpled parchment paper not only prevents sticking but also makes it easy to transfer the hot, delicate cheese to a serving platter without disaster.

How to Serve Baked Brie

The Perfect Accompaniments

Crackers and Bread Choose sturdy, neutral-flavored crackers or toasted crostini that won’t overpower the cheese. Water crackers, table crackers, or thinly sliced baguette rounds work perfectly.

Fresh Fruit Grapes, apple slices, and pear wedges provide refreshing sweetness and acidity that cut through the rich cheese. They also add beautiful color to your presentation.

Nuts and Extras Toasted almonds, candied pecans, or spiced walnuts add satisfying crunch. You might also include cornichons or olives for those who prefer savory accompaniments.

Presentation Ideas

Rustic Cheese Board Arrange your baked brie on a wooden board surrounded by crackers, fruit, nuts, and small bowls of honey or jam. Add fresh herb sprigs for a natural, inviting look.

Individual Portions For a more formal setting, bake small individual brie rounds (4 oz each) in ramekins. Each guest gets their own personal serving.

Holiday Styling During the holidays, surround your baked brie with seasonal touches like fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or even edible flowers for an elegant centerpiece.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover baked brie (rare, but possible!), let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Leftover baked brie actually develops deeper flavors overnight and makes an excellent spread for morning toast or sandwiches.

Reheating Instructions

To restore that melty goodness, you have two options:

Microwave Method: Heat in 20-30 second intervals until warm and soft. This is the quickest method and works well for small portions.

Oven Method: Reheat at 350°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes until the cheese softens again. This method is better for whole wheels and maintains better texture.

Can You Freeze Baked Brie?

While technically possible, freezing isn’t recommended as it affects the texture. Since baked brie takes only 20 minutes to prepare, it’s better to make it fresh when needed.

Pairing Suggestions

Wine Pairings

• Champagne or Prosecco: The bubbles and acidity cut through the richness perfectly
• Chardonnay: A buttery chardonnay complements the creamy cheese
• Pinot Noir: Light reds with good acidity work surprisingly well
• Riesling: The slight sweetness echoes the honey beautifully

Beer Pairings

Belgian ales, wheat beers, or light lagers provide refreshing contrast to the rich cheese without overwhelming the delicate flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use camembert instead of brie? Absolutely! Camembert has a similar texture and melts just as beautifully. The flavor is slightly more intense and earthy compared to brie’s milder taste.

Do I need to score the top of the brie? No, scoring isn’t necessary for this recipe. The honey is drizzled on top after baking, so there’s no need to cut into the rind beforehand.

What if I don’t have fresh thyme? You can use dried thyme (about 1/2 teaspoon), though fresh herbs provide better aroma and presentation. Other herbs like rosemary or sage can substitute nicely.

How far in advance can I prepare this? Baked brie is best made just before serving. However, you can have your brie in its baking dish, honey measured, and accompaniments arranged up to several hours ahead. Just pop it in the oven when guests arrive.

Why did my brie become hard? This happens when the cheese is overbaked. Brie has a sweet spot where it’s perfectly melted—go past that, and it firms up again. Watch it carefully and check early.

Can I make this in the microwave? Yes! Microwave the brie on high in 30-second intervals (about 2 minutes total) until soft. While it works, oven baking provides better, more even melting.