Crispy Air Fried Brie Recipe
Every time I host a holiday party I make this highly requested Air Fried Brie Cheese recipe. The brie stays creamy and cheesy on the inside with a crisp coating on the outside, and everyone goes straight for it. The mild sweet flavor of the warm brie makes it a perfect appetizer to serve with other cheeses, baguette slices, crackers and fresh fruits or veggies.
Holiday season is my favorite time of the year because I love cooking and hosting for my family and friends. It is the perfect moment to come together, share our stories from the year and enjoy delicious appetizers such as a caramelized onion tart or a simple pumpkin pie dip. If you enjoy hosting, you know exactly what I mean. When I created this air fried brie recipe, I had all of that in mind, and after testing it many times with my favorite testers (my kiddos and my husband) I knew it would be perfect for holiday gatherings.
Table of contents
Of course I also kept in mind that this recipe has to be easy, especially during the holiday season when we are running around to kids events and friends Christmas parties. So once again my hero, the air fryer, comes to the rescue. This recipe is much faster than baking brie in the oven and the coating gets crisp in a way the oven cannot match. All you need is cheese, an egg, breadcrumbs, milk and flour. That is all! I am excited for you to make it and share it with your loved ones too.
Why you will love this recipe
- Crispy outside and creamy inside: I air fry the brie until the crust is crisp and the cheese inside becomes gooey and mildly sweet.
- Easy to prepare: I coat the cold brie wheel in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and place it straight on the baking sheet for the air fryer. It cooks in around 10 minutes, which is great for busy holiday nights.
- Perfect for sharing with family and friends: I serve this with crackers, baguette slices, fresh fruit or veggies and everyone go for it right away. The sweet and savory balance makes it great for parties, family gatherings or cozy nights with a small snack board.
- Upgrade brie: When I host for a large group I always make this because it is budget friendly. I usually ONLY buy a couple of brie wheels from the store and the rest of the ingredients are simple staples I already have in my pantry.
What you will need
- Brie cheese wheel: I use a full brie wheel because it melts into a soft creamy center in the air fryer.
- Large egg: Using egg is key to help the coating stick to the brie. It keeps the crust in place while it crisps.
- Panko breadcrumbs: I like using panko because it creates a light crunchy coating.
- Milk: I mix a little milk into the egg so the coating goes on smoothly.
- All purpose flour: I dust the brie with flour before dipping it in the egg.
How to make
Freeze the cheese: I line a baking tray with parchment paper and cut the brie wheel into small cubes. Then I place the cubes in a single layer on the tray and freeze them for at least one hour.
Prep everything: While I wait, I preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Then I set up 3 bowls, one with flour, one with panko breadcrumbs and one with the egg mixed with milk.
Coat the cubes: I toss each frozen cube in the flour first, then dip it in the egg mixture.
Continue rolling: I roll each frozen cube in the breadcrumbs until it is fully covered. Then I check that every side is coated so the cubes crisp nicely in the air fryer.
Cook brie: I place the coated brie cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Then I cook them for about 6-7 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Serve: I place the warm brie bites on a plate and add a simple dip on the side. They are also delicious on top of lettuce with fresh berries and a light salad dressing.
Expert tip
Freeze the brie for crispiness
Something that I highly recommend not skipping is freezing the brie for at least 1 hour, and 2 hours is even better. It is very easy to prep the cubes and place them in the freezer while you work on another meal or dessert. This step is crucial because when the cheese is cold, it melts slowly in the air fryer and you get a creamy center with a crisp coating instead of a messy melt. Trust me, you do not want that.
More tips to consider:
- For shorter prep time, I place the flour in one baggie and the panko in another so I can coat the cubes quickly. Shaking the cubes in batches saves time and keeps the process simple.
- I watch the cheese closely because air fryers cook at different speeds. Some run hotter than others, so I check the cubes often to keep the cheese from spilling out.
- I cut the brie into one inch cubes so they cook evenly. Smaller or larger pieces change the cooking time, so I adjust as needed.
- I use a sharp knife when cutting the brie wheel. It helps me make clean even cubes that are easy to coat and cook.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
- Sesame blend: I add 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds to the breadcrumbs for a soft nutty flavor. They toast nicely in the air fryer and create a richer coating.
- Warm spice shake: I sprinkle 1 teaspoon of paprika or a pinch of cayenne over the cubes before cooking.
- Garlic crumb coat: I mix in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder with the breadcrumbs for a gentle garlic taste.
- Herb butter drizzle: I melt 1 tablespoon of butter with a pinch of dried thyme and pour it over the cooked brie bites. This adds a warm savory finish that is perfect for gatherings.
- Nut crumb crunch: I mix 2 tablespoons of finely chopped pecans into the panko for extra texture. The nuts add a gentle crunch that tastes great with the warm brie.
Serving suggestions
This air fried brie is the perfect appetizer to enjoy with something sweet or savory on the side. I like serving it with cranberry sauce or a simple cheese dip, and it also pairs so well with a fruity spread. I often make my sweet and tangy strawberry sauce because it matches the warm creamy cheese in the best way. When I want a savory contrast, I dip the brie cubes in honey mustard sauce, so good!
For a fresh touch, I add the warm brie bites to a pear salad for a bright mix of crisp fruit and creamy cheese. If I want something crunchy on the table, I prepare a small bowl of my roasted pumpkin seeds which adds a nice salty crunch next to the brie. This mix of warm cheese, fresh fruit and a little crunch makes a simple and inviting spread for holidays or everyday hosting.
How to store leftovers:
- Store: Once the leftover brie cools to room temperature, I place it in an airtight container or a gallon size zip bag and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: I also freeze the cooked brie for up to one month. I wrap each piece in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag or another freezer safe container.
- Thaw: When I am ready to use it, I thaw the brie in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat: I place the brie bites in the microwave for about 30 seconds until they are soft and creamy.
Frequently asked questions
I take a moment to check that each cube is fully covered in flour, egg and panko before I place them in the air fryer. When every side is coated, the cheese stays inside and the bites come out crisp and tidy.
I press the breadcrumbs gently onto each cube to help the crust stay in place during cooking. Taking a moment to coat them well helps the crust stay crunchy and delicious.
I make sure the air fryer is fully heated before I add the cubes because the panko needs a hot surface to start browning right away. When the basket is warm, the coating crisps quickly and the cubes keep their shape. This helps the center stay creamy instead of melting too fast.
More air fryer recipes to try:
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Air Fried Brie Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large brie round or you can use two rounds
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free Panko
Serve with:
- Honey or maple syrup
- fruits
- berries
- nuts
- crackers
- jam
Instructions
- Cut the brie into 1-inch cubes.
- Arrange on a cutting board and freeze for 1-2 hours.
- Next, add flour to a shallow bowl, mix egg and milk together in a second shallow bowl, and add breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- After that, toss each brie cube in flour, then drench in the egg mixture and toss in breadcrumbs. Repeat with all the cubes.
- Arrange the cubes in the air fryer basket, not touching each other, and air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Serve with nuts, crackers, berries, jam, and honey.
Notes
Freeze the brie for crispiness
Something that I highly recommend not skipping is freezing the brie for at least 1 hour, and 2 hours is even better. It is very easy to prep the cubes and place them in the freezer while you work on another meal or dessert. This step is crucial because when the cheese is cold, it melts slowly in the air fryer and you get a creamy center with a crisp coating instead of a messy melt. Trust me, you do not want that.More tips to consider:
- For shorter prep time, I place the flour in one baggie and the panko in another so I can coat the cubes quickly. Shaking the cubes in batches saves time and keeps the process simple.
- I watch the cheese closely because air fryers cook at different speeds. Some run hotter than others, so I check the cubes often to keep the cheese from spilling out.
- I cut the brie into one inch cubes so they cook evenly. Smaller or larger pieces change the cooking time, so I adjust as needed.
- I use a sharp knife when cutting the brie wheel. It helps me make clean even cubes that are easy to coat and cook.