The Perfect Camembert: Heating Time And Temperature Guide

Baked Camembert is a popular dish, especially around Christmas time. The French cheese is baked until it's gooey and stretchy, and can be served with a variety of dips and sides. But how long does it take to bake Camembert?

The answer depends on the size of the cheese, the toppings, and the cooking method. A 250g cheese will take around 15-20 minutes to bake in the oven at 180-200°C. If you're using an air fryer, it will take around 15 minutes at 160-180°C. If you're grilling the cheese, wrap it in foil and place it in hot coals for 20-30 minutes.

Bake for 10-20 minutes at 350-400°F

Baking camembert cheese at 350-400°F for 10-20 minutes is a great way to get it gooey and stretchy—the perfect dip for bread, crackers, or veggie sticks. This method is also an excellent way to serve camembert at a party, as it's quick and easy to prepare.

If you're baking camembert in its box, you should remove any plastic wrapping and place the cheese back in the bottom half of the box. If the box isn't stapled together, you can tie a piece of string around it to secure it, in case the glue melts and it springs open. You can then add toppings and place it on a baking tray in the oven.

If your camembert doesn't come in a box, you can wrap it in foil and place it in a small, shallow oven-proof dish, a specialist ceramic baker, or a cast-iron skillet lined with tin foil. You can also make one of the recipes where the cheese is surrounded by bread to help it hold its shape.

When baking camembert, it's important to score the top of the cheese to prevent it from bursting and help it maintain its form. Putting a lid on the cheese might help it bake faster, but it will also make it harder for the cheese to keep its shape.

While baking camembert at 350-400°F for 10-20 minutes is a good guideline, it's important to keep an eye on the cheese to prevent over-baking, as this will result in the cheese drying out. The cheese is ready when it's gooey and stretchy, and the undertones and nutty, earthy notes are highlighted.

Don't overcook or it will dry out

When baking Camembert, it's important to keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking, which will result in the cheese drying out and becoming flavourless. This is irreversible, so be careful!

The ideal cooking time for Camembert varies depending on the source, but most recommend baking it for around 10-20 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the cheese, the maturity of the cheese, and the desired level of melt. A larger Camembert will need to be cooked for longer, and a younger cheese will take less time to melt than a more mature one.

To test if your Camembert is ready, look for a golden colour on top and a very soft texture underneath. The cheese should be gooey and stretchy, not dry and lumpy. If you're baking the Camembert in its box, you'll also know it's ready when the cheese is liquid in the centre.

If you're reheating leftover Camembert, be extra careful not to overdo it. Gently heat it in the microwave, checking it every 10 seconds, and stop as soon as it starts to melt. Alternatively, slice the hardened Camembert and slightly warm the slices in a pan or on a grill, keeping a close eye on it to maintain the proper texture.

Tips to Avoid Overcooking

• Don't bake it for more than 15-20 minutes.
• Keep an eye on the cheese and remove it from the oven when it's golden and soft, even if it's before the recommended cooking time.
• If reheating, use the microwave on low heat and check frequently to prevent overheating.
• If slicing and warming slices, use low heat and remove from the heat as soon as the cheese is soft.

Let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking

Allowing camembert to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking is an important step in the preparation of this cheese. This is because camembert tastes and smells better when it is baked from room temperature rather than straight from the fridge. Giving the cheese time to warm up allows its full flavour to come through, resulting in a more delicious dish.

When preparing camembert for baking, it is also important to remove the cheese from its packaging and place it back into its box, or into a small baking dish or oven-proof container if it did not come with a box. If you are using the box, it is a good idea to wrap it in foil and place it on a baking sheet to avoid any cheese spillage. You should also be sure to preheat your oven to the correct temperature—180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4 for a fan oven, and not above—before you put the cheese in to bake.

Once the cheese and oven are both ready, you can score the top of the cheese, which will allow air to escape while it cooks, and season it with herbs, spices, salt, and/or honey. Then it is ready to bake!

Bake in its wooden box or a small baking pot

Baking camembert in its wooden box or a small baking pot is a great way to prepare this dish. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (for fan ovens, preheat to 160°C). While the oven is heating up, you can prepare the cheese. Remove the camembert from its packaging and place it back into its wooden box or a small baking pot. If your cheese didn't come with a box, you can use a small baking dish or a Camembert baker. Just make sure the dish is slightly larger than the cheese to prevent the melted cheese from spreading.

Next, you can add your chosen toppings. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the cheese in a cross or diamond pattern. This will allow the air to escape while cooking and will also make it easier for flavours to permeate the cheese. You can then add your chosen toppings. A classic combination is to stud the cheese with garlic cloves and then drizzle with honey, but you could also try olive oil, maple syrup, or fruit spreads. You can also add herbs like rosemary or thyme, and a pinch of salt.

Once you have added your toppings, place the wooden box or baking pot onto a baking tray and put it in the oven. Bake for 12-20 minutes, until the cheese is gooey and bubbly. Be careful not to overcook the cheese, as this will result in a dry and flavourless dish. The camembert is ready when it is turning golden on top and very soft in the middle.

Finally, remove the cheese from the oven and serve immediately. Baked camembert goes well with toasted bread, crackers, or breadsticks for dipping. You can also serve it with fruit and nuts on the side. Enjoy!

Don't put it in the oven without a container

It is important to note that if you don't use a container for your Camembert, it will spread all over the baking sheet or oven. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use a proper dish when baking Camembert cheese.

If your Camembert comes in a box, you can simply place the cheese back into the bottom half of the box and secure it with string if the box isn't stapled together. If your Camembert doesn't come in a box, there are several alternatives you can use:

• Wrap the cheese in foil and place it in a small, shallow oven-proof dish, a specialist ceramic Camembert baker, or a Camembert ramekin.
• Make a recipe where the Camembert is surrounded by bread to help it hold its shape.
• Use a cast-iron skillet, lining it with tin foil.
• Place the cheese on a sheet of kitchen foil and wrap it around to make it look like its wooden box.

Additionally, it is important to score the top of the cheese before baking to prevent it from bursting and to help it maintain its form.

Frequently asked questions