Perfectly Melty Brie: Oven Heating Time

Baked brie is a simple, crowd-pleasing appetiser that can be dressed up in a variety of ways. It's easy to prepare and only takes a few minutes to cook in the oven. The soft, gooey cheese is best served warm with crackers, bread, or fruit.

How long to heat brie cheese in the oven for a crowd-pleasing appetiser

Baked brie is a luxurious yet simple appetiser that's sure to impress your guests. The soft, creamy cheese, often made with cow's milk, has a mild, fruity flavour and becomes beautifully gooey when baked.

How to Bake Brie in the Oven

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, unwrap the brie and place it on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish lined with parchment paper. You can also use a shallow baking dish—just ensure it's not too deep, or you'll burn your fingers when scooping out the cheese!

Scoring the top rind of the brie is optional but will make it easier for your guests to scoop out the cheese and prevent them from getting large chunks of rind. Simply use a knife to create a crisscross pattern, being careful to only cut through the rind and not the cheese itself.

Now, pop your brie in the oven! The baking time will depend on the size of your cheese and how gooey you like it. For a standard 8-ounce wheel of brie, bake for 10 to 15 minutes. A larger 12 to 16-ounce wheel will need a little longer, around 12 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and take it out when the cheese feels soft and is just starting to ooze.

Toppings and Serving Suggestions

While baked brie is delicious on its own, you can take it to the next level with some sweet or savoury toppings. Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the baked cheese for a touch of sweetness. For a fancier option, try spreading fig, apricot, or raspberry jam on top. You can also mix and match toppings: why not add some chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios, and a sprinkle of fresh rosemary or thyme?

Serve your baked brie with sturdy crackers, crostini, or slices of baguette, apple, or pear. For a real showstopper, present the baked brie as the centerpiece of a larger cheeseboard, surrounded by crackers, sliced fruit, and other finger foods.

Reheating and Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (though we doubt it!), you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, place the leftover brie in an oven-safe dish and pop it into a 350°F oven until gooey again. You can also slice or dice the chilled baked brie and use it in sandwiches, grilled cheese, or quesadillas.

Brie cheese in the oven: the best kind of brie to use

Baked brie is a luxurious, yet easy-to-make appetiser that can be prepared in a few simple steps. The key to achieving that perfect, oozy, gooey texture lies in using the right type of brie and mastering the baking technique.

The Best Kind of Brie for Baking

When it comes to choosing the best brie for baking, the general rule of thumb is to opt for an inexpensive variety. The heat from the oven will transform even the most economical brie into a spectacular, molten delight. Save the expensive, top-end brie for your next cheese board.

Look for smaller wheels labelled as "baby brie", commonly found in sizes ranging from 4 to 8 ounces. These smaller portions are ideal for baking and serving as appetisers. The most common types of French Brie are Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun, but you can also find domestic varieties, including triple cream or even goat's milk Brie.

If you're unable to find brie, Camembert cheese is a suitable alternative. It comes in similar-sized rounds and can be baked using the same methods.

Baking Brie: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you've selected the perfect brie, it's time to bake it to gooey perfection. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Remove the brie from its packaging and place it on a small piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. This paper will make it easier to transfer the molten cheese to a serving dish later.
• Score the top rind of the brie with a serrated knife, creating a criss-cross pattern. Be careful to only cut through the rind and not the cheese itself. This step is optional but makes the appetiser more inviting and helps prevent guests from getting large chunks of rind in their portion.
• Let the brie sit at room temperature for about an hour before baking. This step helps the cheese bake more evenly.
• Place the brie in the preheated oven and bake for 10-20 minutes. The baking time will depend on the size of your brie and how chilled it was before baking. For a 4-ounce wheel, bake for 10 minutes for a softened texture or 20 minutes for a very soft and runny centre. Larger wheels may take up to 25 minutes.
• To check if your brie is ready, gently press the top of the cheese. It should feel soft and pliable. If you see the cheese oozing out of the rind, it's ready to be taken out of the oven.
• Carefully transfer the brie, still on the parchment paper, to a serving dish.
• Serve immediately with your desired toppings and accompaniments.

Toppings and Accompaniments

Baked brie is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it with various toppings and accompaniments:

• Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
• Add a layer of jam, marmalade, or hot pepper jelly for a fruity contrast.
• Sprinkle with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic touch.
• Chopped nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts, provide a crunchy texture and complement the richness of the brie.

For dipping, sturdy crackers or slices of toasted bread are ideal. You can also serve it with fresh, sweet fruits like apples and grapes to balance out the richness of the cheese.

How to prepare brie cheese before putting it in the oven

Preparing brie cheese for baking is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare brie cheese before putting it in the oven:

Choose the Right Brie:

For baking, it is recommended to use an inexpensive or economical wheel of brie. The heat of the oven will make the cheese soft and gooey, so there is no need to splurge on an expensive brand. Look for a baby wheel of Brie, which is typically 4-8 ounces, or a larger wheel if you are serving a bigger group.

Prepare the Baking Dish:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment paper will make it easier to transfer the molten cheese to a serving dish later. Place the brie on the parchment paper. If you don't have parchment paper, you can also use a shallow ovenproof dish that is slightly larger than the brie for baking and serving.

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This is the ideal temperature for baking brie cheese.

Prepare the Brie:

• If possible, let the brie come to room temperature before baking. This helps the cheese bake more evenly. Take the brie out of the refrigerator and leave it on the counter for about an hour before baking.
• Remove the brie from its packaging and place it on the prepared baking sheet or dish. If desired, you can score the top of the rind with a serrated knife to create a crosshatch pattern. This makes the appetizer more inviting and easier to dip into, and it also helps those who prefer not to eat the rind. Be careful not to cut too deeply, as this could cause the brie to lose its shape during baking.
• At this point, you can also add toppings to your brie. Some popular options include a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, a layer of jam or marmalade, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts and fresh herbs.

Bake the Brie:

• Slide the brie into the preheated oven and bake for 10-20 minutes. The exact baking time will depend on the size of your brie and how chilled it was going into the oven. For a smaller wheel of brie (around 250g/8oz), bake for 15-20 minutes. For a larger wheel (500g/1lb), increase the baking time to 25 minutes.
• To check if your brie is done, gently open the oven door and press the top of the cheese lightly. It should feel soft and pliable. If you start to see the cheese oozing out of the rind, it is ready to be taken out of the oven.

Serve the Baked Brie:

• Carefully transfer the baked brie, still on the parchment paper, to a serving dish. If you used a shallow dish for baking, you can serve the brie directly from that dish.
• Serve the baked brie immediately with crackers, crostini, baguette slices, or sliced apples or pears. Enjoy the gooey, cheesy goodness!

How to know when brie cheese is done in the oven

There are several ways to know when your baked brie is done in the oven. The first is to simply set a timer for when it should be done. Depending on the size of your Brie, the oven temperature, and whether or not you started with chilled Brie, this will be somewhere between 10 and 25 minutes.

Another way to check is to give the top of the cheese a little press. It should feel soft and pliable. If you can press your finger through the cheese with little resistance, it's done.

Finally, you can check if your Brie is done by looking for visual cues. If you start to see the cheese oozing out of the rind, then it's time to pull it out of the oven.

How to reheat brie cheese after it has been cooked in the oven

Baked brie is a luxurious, easy-to-make appetiser that is sure to impress your guests. But what if you have leftovers or want to prepare it in advance? Here is a guide on how to reheat brie cheese after it has been cooked in the oven.

Firstly, it is important to note that brie should only be reheated once to prevent the cheese from becoming rubbery. If you have a whole baked brie, the easiest way to reheat it is in the microwave for around 2 minutes. You can also place it in an oven-safe dish and rewarm it in the oven at a low temperature of around 300°F (150°C) until soft and gooey.

If you are reheating a slice of baked brie, such as on a sandwich or quesadilla, you can use the oven method mentioned above or place it in a frying pan over low heat until warmed through.

When reheating brie, it is important not to overheat it, as this can cause the cheese to harden. So, keep a close eye on it and reheat in short intervals if necessary.

Additionally, while brie rind is edible and adds flavour, you may choose to remove it before reheating, especially if you are slicing or cubing the cheese.

Now, let's talk about some tips for serving reheated brie. Brie is best served warm and gooey, so make sure it is still soft before serving. You can serve it with crackers, crusty bread, sliced baguette, apples, grapes, or even grilled cheese or a quesadilla if you are feeling creative!

Lastly, if you have any leftover reheated brie, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, it is best to consume it as soon as possible, as the texture and flavour may change over time.

Frequently asked questions