If you’re searching for the ultimate cozy, crowd-pleasing appetizer, look no further than this Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe. Seriously, I love how simple it is to put together, yet it feels super fancy and wow-worthy every time. Whether you’re entertaining friends or just want a little indulgent snack, this recipe is my go-to because it’s creamy, ooey-gooey, and perfectly balanced with the sweetness of honey and the fresh herbal touch of thyme. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortlessly elegant: You only need a handful of ingredients, and it looks like you spent hours preparing.
Perfect texture: Melted Brie gets irresistibly creamy, while the honey adds a luscious sweetness.
Super versatile: Serve it with crackers, fresh fruit, or even add your own twist with different herbs or drizzles.
Great for entertaining: It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters rave about.

A round wheel of baked Camembert cheese with a white rind cracked open on top, showing melted creamy yellow cheese oozing out and stretching as a woman's hand dips a toasted bread slice into it. The cheese sits on white parchment paper on a wooden board, garnished with a small sprig of green thyme, with blurred red grapes in the background on a white marbled surface. The texture of the cheese is smooth and glossy, with soft melting layers visible inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together beautifully to create a balance of creamy, sweet, and herbaceous flavors. Plus, the simplicity means you probably already have most of these on hand, or they’re easy to pick up at your local store.

Brie or Camembert: I recommend an economical option here—it melts perfectly and tastes amazing without breaking the bank.
Honey or Maple Syrup: Both work great, but I love using good-quality local honey for its floral notes.
Fresh Thyme Sprig: Adds just the right herbal pop, but feel free to experiment with rosemary or sage.
Crostini or Sturdy Crackers: You need something solid enough to scoop up that melty cheese without breaking.
Purple or Green Grapes: Optional but I love the fresh, juicy contrast they bring as a side.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love customizing this Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe depending on the season or the mood. It’s such a forgiving dish, which means you can toss in your favorite flavors without worrying about messing it up.

Nutty Twist: Sprinkle toasted walnuts or pecans on top right after baking for a lovely crunch—I always get compliments on this addition.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili-infused honey if you like a little heat in your cheese.
Herb Swap: Experiment with fresh rosemary or sage in place of thyme. I sometimes use a mix, which really wakes up the flavors.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap crostini for gluten-free crackers or veggie sticks to keep everyone happy.

How to Make Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Brie and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Then unwrap your Brie and place it in a small, shallow ovenproof dish that’s just a little bigger than the cheese itself. If you don’t have one, don’t worry — you can use a piece of crumbled parchment paper, which helps when transferring the cheese without any mess. I discovered this trick after a few tragic Brie spills—trust me, you’ll want to avoid that slippery disaster!

Step 2: Bake to Melty Perfection

Bake your Brie for about 15 to 20 minutes if you’re using a 250g (8 oz) wheel, or closer to 25 minutes for a 500g (1 lb) Brie. The best way to know it’s ready? Give the center a gentle press—it should feel soft and almost ready to collapse under your finger. If you poke with a skewer and it comes out holding melted cheese, that’s your cue! Keep an eye on it though; over-baking can make the center turn hard, and nobody wants that.

Step 3: Drizzle and Garnish

Once baked, carefully transfer your Brie to a serving plate if you used parchment paper—this cheese is wobbly and delicate, so take your time. Then drizzle the top with honey and lay a fresh thyme sprig on it. This little finishing touch always gets “oohs” and “aahs” at my gatherings.

Step 4: Serve and Scoff

Serve immediately with crostini or sturdy crackers on the side for scooping. Provide a knife to cut the rind—it surprisingly softens when warm—and a smaller cheese or pate knife for smearing that beautiful, melty goodness onto your bread. Watching your friends dive in is always the best part!

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Pro Tips for Making Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe

Perfect Baking Dish: I always use a shallow round dish slightly larger than the Brie to keep the cheese contained and make serving easier—no cheese puddles on the table!
Honey vs. Maple Syrup: I’ve tried both, but using a local honey brings a warm floral depth that pairs beautifully with the earthiness of thyme.
Know When It’s Ready: A quick poke or gentle press is better than relying on baking times alone—every oven is different, and cheese is delicate.
Transfer with Care: Using crumpled parchment paper for baking means you can transfer the Brie without risking it collapsing and making a mess.

How to Serve Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe

A round white cheese wheel sits in the center on white parchment paper with a light drizzle of golden honey covering the top and sides, topped with a small sprig of green thyme. Behind the cheese, there is a bunch of red grapes, bright and glossy, and several toasted bread slices with a warm brown color arranged casually. The whole scene is set on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple: a few fresh thyme sprigs for color and that herbal aroma, along with drizzles of honey that glisten when warm. Sometimes I scatter a handful of chopped toasted nuts or fresh figs when they’re in season—those add texture and a lovely sweet contrast I personally adore.

Side Dishes

I like to serve this with crostini or a mix of rustic crackers. Fresh grapes on the side always get devoured fast—they bring that juicy burst to cut through the richness of the Brie. Sometimes, I add apple slices or a simple green salad if it’s part of a bigger spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the baked Brie on a wooden cheese board surrounded by nuts, dried fruit, and fresh herbs. Another favorite is wrapping the Brie in puff pastry for an extra flaky, buttery crust—though that’s a slightly different recipe altogether! I also love serving individual mini Bries in ramekins for more personalized portions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover baked Brie (which almost never happens in my house), wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. The honey blends into the cheese as it cools, making the next day’s snack even tastier when spread on toast.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing leftover Brie before, but honestly, the texture changes and gets a bit crumbly once thawed. For the best quality, I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated within a couple of days instead.

Reheating

When reheating, just zap your leftover Brie in the microwave for about 30 to 60 seconds until warm and scoopable again. This method keeps it gooey without further cooking or drying it out.

FAQs

Can I bake Brie with the rind on?

Absolutely! The rind is edible and softens when baked, helping keep the cheese together. It also adds a nice contrast in texture and maintains the Brie’s shape during baking.
What’s the best way to tell when the Brie is perfectly melted?

Gently press the center of the cheese with a fingertip—it should feel soft and almost collapsing but not completely runny. Alternatively, use a skewer to poke in and see if melted cheese sticks to it.
Can I make this in the microwave?

Yes! If you’re short on time, microwave on high for around 2 minutes in short 30-second bursts until the cheese is melty. No one will know, and it saves you oven heat!
What else can I serve with Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe?

Besides crostini and grapes, things like sliced apples, pears, walnuts, and even some spicy preserves make fantastic accompaniments to amp up your appetizer game.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it’s so simple yet delivers that rich, comforting experience we all crave. I’ve served it countless times at parties, and it always disappears fast—sometimes before I get to have a second bite! If you want an easy recipe that feels luxurious but won’t stress you out, this one’s a winner. Grab some Brie, drizzle that honey, and let yourself enjoy one of the easiest, most delicious appetizers around. You’ll be so glad you did!

Baked Brie with Honey and Thyme Recipe

4.5 from 60 reviews

Author: Megane
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 15-25 minutes
Total Time: 18-28 minutes
Yield: 6 to 10 servings
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French

Print Recipe

Description

Baked Brie is a simple yet indulgent appetizer featuring a whole wheel of creamy brie cheese, gently warmed until soft and gooey. Topped with honey or maple syrup and optionally fresh thyme, it’s perfect served immediately with crostini or crackers for scooping. This elegant dish balances mild, buttery cheese with sweet accents and is easy to prepare in the oven or microwave, ideal for entertaining or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

250 – 500g (8 – 16 oz) round brie or camembert cheese
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
1 thyme sprig (optional)

For Serving

Crostini or other sturdy crackers
1 bunch purple grapes or green grapes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) for all oven types, ensuring it reaches the correct temperature before baking the brie.
Prepare the Brie: Unwrap the brie and place it in a small, shallow ovenproof dish slightly larger than the brie itself. Alternatively, place the brie on a piece of crumbled baking or parchment paper for easier transfer after baking.
Bake the Brie: Bake the brie in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes if using 250g (8oz), or about 25 minutes for a 500g (1lb) wheel. The cheese is ready when it feels very soft in the center, nearly collapsing with gentle touch.
Microwave Option: For a quicker method, microwave the brie on high for 2 minutes total, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking.
Transfer to Serving Plate: Carefully move the baked brie onto a serving plate or board, using the parchment paper if used, because the cheese is delicate and soft.
Add Toppings: Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the top and add a fresh sprig of thyme if desired for aroma and flavor contrast.
Serve: Serve immediately with crostini or crackers. Provide a knife to slice through the rind and a cheese or pâté knife for scooping the melted cheese onto servings. Include grapes on the side as an optional accompaniment.

Notes

Use economical brie or camembert for baking; expensive brie is best served as-is to preserve its delicate flavor.
A shallow, round ovenproof dish slightly larger than the brie is ideal for baking and serving to prevent cheese running over.
If no suitable dish is available, baking on crumbled parchment paper works well and eases transfer.
Check the brie at 15 minutes to avoid overbaking, which makes cheese hard in the center.
A 250g (8oz) brie serves 6 to 10 people as an appetizer due to its richness.
Honey or maple syrup can be used interchangeably based on preference and availability.
Baked brie stays gooey for 10-15 minutes depending on serving vessel; use a ceramic dish to keep it scoopable longer.
Leftover baked brie is delicious reheated briefly in the microwave or spread onto toast and grilled.