Irresistible Bite-Sized Baked Bacon Brie Pockets: Your Ultimate Holiday Appetizer
Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season brings with it a symphony of joy, warmth, and, most importantly, unforgettable culinary experiences. As we gather with loved ones, cook cherished family recipes, and indulge in festive treats, the focus shifts to creating lasting memories around the dinner table. This year, elevate your holiday entertaining with an appetizer that truly shines: these delightful Bite-Sized Baked Bacon Brie Pockets. They ingeniously transform the classic baked brie into a convenient, hand-held sensation, bursting with sweet, savory, and herbaceous flavors in every perfect bite. What’s even better? They can be prepared in advance and frozen, ready to bake whenever your next gathering calls.
This post has been sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The holidays are truly a special time, brimming with opportunities to connect and celebrate. From intimate family dinners to lively cocktail parties, having an impressive yet easy appetizer makes all the difference. These charming Bite-Sized Baked Bacon Brie Pockets are precisely that – an ideal addition to any festive occasion. Their individual portion size makes them perfect for mingling, ensuring your guests can enjoy a delectable treat without the fuss often associated with traditional baked brie. Imagine the delight of your guests as they bite into a warm, flaky pastry pocket filled with gooey brie, crispy bacon, a hint of honey, and fresh thyme.
The Heart of the Flavor: Wright® Brand Bacon
Crafting standout holiday dishes means choosing ingredients that truly shine. This is where Wright® Brand Bacon enters the scene, and let me tell you, I’ve become absolutely hooked! Its exceptional quality makes all the difference in these baked brie pockets. Each slice is thick-cut and hand-trimmed, promising a rich, robust flavor that cooks up perfectly crisp and juicy every single time. This isn’t just any bacon; it’s the kind that transforms an ordinary dish into something extraordinary, making it a star ingredient in any culinary creation, especially for your holiday spread.
For me, the aroma of sizzling bacon evokes powerful memories. It instantly transports me back to my childhood, to countless Sunday brunches at my grandparents’ house. Those mornings were a vibrant tapestry of family life – uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings – all gathered under one roof. The house buzzed with laughter, lively conversations, and, of course, the irresistible scent of bacon cooking. Standing over the stove, helping crisp up batch after batch while catching up with my family, remains one of my fondest memories.
I understand that not everyone gets the chance to see their extended family every weekend. That’s precisely why the holidays are so profoundly special. They offer us those precious moments to reconnect, share stories, and create new memories. And when you have Wright® Brand Bacon cooking, whether on the stove or in the oven, that naturally smoked scent isn’t just delicious; it’s a fragrant reminder that making those family moments count is easier and more delicious than you think. There’s no denying it – life truly is better with bacon, wouldn’t you agree?
Elevating a Holiday Classic: The Perfect Hand-Held Bite
Most of us are well-acquainted with baked brie as a festive holiday appetizer. While delicious, it can sometimes be a bit cumbersome for smaller gatherings or dynamic cocktail parties where guests are constantly moving and mingling. Juggling a plate, a drink, and a knife to serve baked brie isn’t the most elegant experience. This is where the brilliance of these bite-sized pockets truly shines. They elegantly transform the classic, often messy, baked brie experience into a refined, convenient, and utterly special appetizer. They are perfectly suited for any holiday party, from formal affairs to casual weeknight get-togethers, offering a sophisticated touch without compromising on ease of enjoyment.
The combination tucked inside each flaky puff pastry pocket is nothing short of divine: the salty crunch of Wright® Brand Bacon, the rich and creamy texture of melted brie, a drizzle of sweet honey, and the earthy fragrance of fresh thyme. This ensemble creates a harmonious blend of warm, gooey, herbaceous, sweet, and savory notes, all contained within one perfect, golden-brown bite. It’s an appetizer that promises to tantalize every taste bud and leave your guests craving more.
Make-Ahead Magic: Freeze for Future Feasts
One of the most incredible advantages of these Bacon Brie Pockets is their make-ahead potential. As any holiday host knows, time is a precious commodity during the festive season. The ability to prepare these appetizers in advance and freeze them for later baking is a game-changer. Simply assemble the pockets, crimp the edges, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time, and you’ll have freshly baked, gourmet appetizers with minimal effort on the day of your event. This flexibility allows you to enjoy your own party without being tied to the kitchen, freeing you up to make those cherished memories with family and friends.
Tips for Perfect Pockets
Achieving perfectly flaky and delicious pockets is simpler than you might think with a few key tips:
- Keep Puff Pastry Cold: Puff pastry is easiest to work with when it’s cold. Thaw it in the refrigerator but work quickly to cut and fill it before it gets too warm and sticky.
- Even Brie Distribution: Cut your brie into small, even slivers. Too large a piece can make sealing difficult, and too small might get lost in the flavors. Don’t be afraid to leave the rind on – it adds to the flavor and helps the brie hold its shape.
- Don’t Overfill: A small amount of each ingredient goes a long way. Overfilling can lead to pockets bursting during baking.
- Seal with Confidence: The egg wash helps glue the two pastry halves together. After gently pressing, use a fork to crimp the edges securely. This prevents the delicious filling from escaping.
- The Golden Touch: Brushing the tops with egg wash before baking gives them that beautiful golden-brown color and irresistible shine.
- Serve Warm: These pockets are best enjoyed warm when the brie is perfectly melted and gooey.
Where to Find Your Ingredients & A Cause to Support
I source all my ingredients for this show-stopping recipe, including the star of the show, Wright® Brand Bacon, at my local Kroger® family store. For those of you in Colorado, that’s King Soopers! Shopping at Kroger makes it incredibly convenient to get everything you need in one trip, ensuring your holiday preparations are as stress-free as possible. The best part about choosing Wright® Brand Bacon is that you can feel even better about your purchase: Tyson Foods, Inc. will donate $1 to Feeding America® for every participating product sold. It’s a wonderful way to contribute to a great cause while preparing a delicious meal for your family and friends.
Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Spread
These Bite-Sized Baked Bacon Brie Pockets are fantastic on their own, but they also pair beautifully with other holiday delights. If you’re looking for a cocktail to complement their rich flavors, I highly recommend this French Blonde Cocktail – its crisp, citrusy notes will provide a lovely contrast. For other appetizer pairings, consider a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness, or a platter of fresh fruit like grapes and apple slices. The vibrant colors and textures will not only enhance your spread but also add a refreshing element. Whether served as a star appetizer or part of a larger tapas-style menu, these pockets are guaranteed to be a hit!
table of contents
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Bite-Sized Baked Bacon Brie Pockets
ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed but still cold
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tsp milk
- 1/2 wedge of brie about 4 ounces, chilled
- 4 slices Hickory-Smoked Wright® Brand Bacon cooked crispy and chopped
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tsp thyme leaves chopped
instructions
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Preheat oven to 375˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Cut the puff pastry into thirds along the creases using a pastry cutter or very sharp knife. Cut each panel into four pieces. You should end up with 24 little rectangles so you can make the 12 pockets.
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In a small bowl, stir together egg and milk to make an egg wash. Brush 12 of the pastry rectangles with the egg wash. Place a small sliver of brie (including the rind) in the center of each of the egg-washed rectangles.
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Top with about 1/2 tsp chopped bacon, 1/2 tsp honey, and a pinch of thyme leaves. Place another rectangle of puff pastry on top of each. Press down the edges gently, then seal with the tongs of a fork to crimp the edges together. Prick the tops lightly with a fork.
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Place brie pockets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the egg wash. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before serving immediately.