Name: Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry; 8 ounces Johnsonville Ground Italian Sausage (Sweet); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon freshly chopped sage (plus 1 teaspoon for garnish before baking); 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water; ½ cup jellied cranberry sauce; 4 ounces brie, rind removed and sliced thin

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 63 reviews

If you’re looking for an irresistible appetizer that blends savory, sweet, and creamy flavors in a bite-sized form, you’ve come to the right place. I can’t wait to share my favorite Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe with you — these little gems are seriously fan-freaking-tastic. They come together with just a few simple ingredients but deliver a complex flavor that will wow anyone at your next party or cozy night in. Keep reading if you want to nail this recipe every time and impress your family or guests!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The combination of savory sausage, tangy cranberry, and creamy brie creates an unforgettable flavor profile.
Simple Prep: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for both busy weeknights and special occasions.
Versatile Pastry Base: Puff pastry adds a golden, flaky texture that pairs perfectly with the filling without competing with flavors.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These bites can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving, making entertaining a breeze.

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites, savory sweet appetizer, easy holiday appetizers, quick party snacks, creamy cheese and sausage bites - A white plate holds nine golden-brown puff pastry pinwheels stacked gently. Each pinwheel has multiple layers visible in a spiral pattern, showing a slightly crispy outer edge with a softer, flaky inside. The filling is a mix of brown, green, and reddish bits, likely meat and herbs, spread through the spiral. Around the pinwheels are sprigs of green herbs and scattered red cranberries, adding color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a black and white checkered cloth and a white towel in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in the Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe serves a purpose, weaving together savory, sweet, and earthy notes that balance each other beautifully. Let me walk you through why I pick each one and the little tips that help maximize their potential.

Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites, savory sweet appetizer, easy holiday appetizers, quick party snacks, creamy cheese and sausage bites - Flat lay of fresh Johnsonville Italian sausage links with their rich, slightly marbled texture, whole garlic cloves with papery white skin, vibrant green sprigs of rosemary and sage with delicate leaves, a smooth, creamy block of pale ivory brie cheese with its white rind, bright red jellied cranberry sauce glistening with a glossy finish, and a sheet of frozen puff pastry showing light layers of dough, all naturally arranged in a casual yet balanced layout, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Frozen puff pastry: This is your buttery, flaky vehicle. Using thawed but still cold pastry helps keep it crisp and easy to handle.
Johnsonville Ground Italian Sausage: I love sweet sausage for a gentle spice, but mild or hot works well too — just choose your spice level.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the sausage, elevating that savory punch.
Fresh sage: Both chopped into the sausage and sprinkled on top, this herb brightens the flavor with a subtle earthiness.
Fresh rosemary: A little goes a long way to add piney warmth, perfectly complimenting the sausage.
Egg wash (egg + water): Helps achieve that gorgeous golden sheen on the pastry edges and seals the roll.
Jellied cranberry sauce: The perfect tangy sweetness — I prefer jellied over whole berry here to keep the bites tidy without juicy seepage.
Brie cheese (rind removed, sliced thin): Creamy and mild but rich enough to melt delightfully inside each bite.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

This Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is a fun canvas for your flavor creativity. I often adjust herbs or spice levels depending on the season or mood, and I encourage you to do the same!

Variation: I once swapped the sweet sausage for a spicy chorizo, which added a delightful kick—I highly recommend trying that if you like things hotter.
Dietary tweak: For a milder, less rich bite, use a low-fat cheese or substitute the brie with mozzarella, though it won’t be quite the same indulgence.
Seasonal change: Try garnishing with chopped fresh thyme or a drizzle of honey on top for a different aromatic touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Thaw and Preheat

First things first, let your puff pastry thaw for about 40 minutes at room temperature—don’t rush this or it’ll be tricky to roll out without breaking. While you wait, preheat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prep ensures a smooth assembly process and easy cleanup.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage with Herbs and Garlic

In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the Johnsonville Ground Italian Sausage and the minced garlic, breaking up the meat as it cooks so it’s crumbly and flavorful. When it’s almost done, stir in your freshly chopped rosemary and sage, letting those herbs bloom in the heat. Cook everything together for three more minutes, then drain off any excess fat to avoid greasy bites.

Step 3: Prepare the Puff Pastry and Layer Flavors

On a lightly floured surface, gently lay out your thawed puff pastry. Brush it all over with the egg wash—this will help with browning and give the roll a lovely gloss. Next, spread the jellied cranberry sauce evenly across the dough; this sticky layer is the secret sweet tang that perfectly complements the sausage. Then scatter your cooked sausage evenly over the cranberry, followed by thin slices of brie placed carefully on top.

Step 4: Roll, Slice, and Bake

Starting from the edge that runs horizontally across your brie slices, slowly and gently roll the dough into a jelly-roll shape. I like to do this carefully to avoid squishing all those beautiful layers inside. Next, use a sharp knife to cut the roll into about 14 slices, each around ¾ to 1 inch thick. Lay these slices flat on your prepared baking sheets. Don’t forget to brush the tops and sides with more egg wash and sprinkle the remaining chopped sage on top—it adds a lovely touch both visually and in flavor. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden and puffed.

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Pro Tips for Making Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Keep Pastry Cold: I always keep the puff pastry chilled until I’m ready to roll; this prevents it from becoming too sticky or soft to handle.
Avoid Soggy Bottoms: Draining excess fat from the cooked sausage helped me get a crispier pastry base—don’t skip this step!
Even Slices: Using a sharp serrated knife makes cutting the roll into neat, clean slices way easier without squishing the layers.
Bake Time Check: Keep an eye during the last few minutes of baking so the brie melts perfectly without over-browning the pastry.

How to Serve Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Garnishes

When serving, I love to add an extra sprinkle of fresh sage or a few tiny rosemary leaves for that aromatic punch. Sometimes I’ll drizzle a little honey over the bites right before serving for an extra sweet contrast that pairs beautifully with the sausage and brie.

Side Dishes

These bites are fantastic as finger food on their own, but I often pair them with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies to balance out the richness. They also make a great accompaniment to charcuterie boards or a glass of chilled white wine.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange these bites on a wooden board with little bowls of cranberry sauce and mustard for dipping. For holiday get-togethers, presenting them in mini muffin tins keeps everything neatly in place and looks super festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They hold up well for up to 3 days, although they’re so good, I rarely have any left!

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked slices before, laying them flat on parchment-lined trays and freezing until firm, then transferring to freezer bags. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from frozen—add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I recommend reheating in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness. The microwave tends to make the puff pastry soggy, so I avoid that whenever possible.

FAQs

Can I make these bites ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the bites up to the point of slicing and rolling, then cover and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Alternatively, you can freeze the unbaked slices and bake them later.
What can I substitute for puff pastry?

If you don’t have puff pastry, you can try crescent roll dough, but the texture will differ — the puff pastry offers the signature flakiness that makes these bites so special.
Can I use whole cranberry sauce instead of jellied?

You can, but jellied cranberry sauce spreads more evenly and prevents the bites from becoming soggy. If you use whole berry, make sure to drain excess juices before spreading.
How spicy are these Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites?

The spice depends on the sausage you pick—sweet is mild and perfect if you want gentle warmth, while hot sausage amps up the heat significantly.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Sausage Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe is one of those mouthwatering crowd-pleasers that I keep coming back to. I love how easy it is to pull together and how every bite surprises you with sweet-savory goodness wrapped in buttery crispness. If you’re craving an appetizer that makes you look like a pro without the fuss, this is it. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want them on repeat—so go ahead and give them a try; I promise you won’t regret it!