Instant Pot Cranberry Baked Brie

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Instant Pot Cranberry Baked Brie is an easy crowd-pleasing recipe for the holidays that leaves your oven free and has a sweet and spicy topping with a soft, gooey center. 

plate of cranberry baked brie with crackers

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe: Leave your oven clear for other dishes and make a gooey and melty baked brie using your Instant Pot! It’s topped with a cranberry sauce full of seasonal flavors and makes the perfect appetizer to tide guests over until dinner. 

Update: We make this appetizer every year for Christmas. I’ve updated the recipe with new tips and photos to help you make it at home!

pinterest button for instant pot cranberry baked brie

How to Make Instant Pot Baked Brie

This Pressure Cooker Baked Brie recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.

This fast and easy holiday appetizer calls for just four ingredients. Here’s what you need to make baked brie without an oven:

  • Brie. You can use any kind of brie wheel you like. Brie is generally easy to find in the grocery store, but you can find stronger tasting cheeses at a specialty store too. 
  • Cranberry jalapeño preserves. I love the sweet and spicy combination of cranberry and jalapeños. I use the preserves from Pepperlane, which are available at my local grocery store here in Utah. 
  • Candied pecans. You can often find these for sale around the holidays, but it’s also fun and easy to make your own!
  • Fresh thyme. This adds a delightful pop of green to complete the festive look of your brie. 
wheel of brie in a springform pan

Ingredient Swaps and Notes

If you don’t have all of the ingredients for this simple recipe, it’s easy to customize using whatever you have on hand. 

For example, try these easy swaps:

  • Instead of cranberry jalapeño preserves, use your favorite cranberry sauce (or make your own!). For heat, you can add minced fresh jalapeño or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes. 
  • Try using a different candied nut instead of pecans. Almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts will all work. You can also use plain, toasted nuts instead of candied if you like. I love the extra crunch and sweetness from candied, though!
  • Feel free to use a different herb, like rosemary or sage, to top your baked brie. 
overhead of a springform pan wrapped in tin foil in an instant pot

“Baking” Brie in an Instant Pot

Of course, this isn’t technically baked brie. It’s pressure cooked, not baked in the oven. But the result is just as soft and gooey. You’ll need a springform pan to hold the cheese wheel in the pressure cooker. We use a 7-inch round pan to fit in the 6-quart pressure cooker. 

Set the pan on a wire rack or trivet and add a cup of water to the pot to help it steam. 

It’s important to use a sling to place the pan inside the pressure cooker and remove it. You can use a reusable sling or make one out of aluminum foil using these simple directions

Tip: scoring the top of the cheese wheel with a knife helps it cook evenly. I recommend keeping the rind on so the wheel holds its shape for serving. 

plate of cranberry baked brie with crackers

Making Candied Pecans

If you have a bit of time, you can make the candied pecans to top your brie. To do so, simply combine 1/4 cup chopped pecans and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar starts to liquefy. 

Continue stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a golden color and coats the nuts. Remove the pan from the heat and spread the candied nuts onto a greased or silpat lined cookie sheet. Let them cool fully, stirring a few times to break up large pieces.  

You can store leftover pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They make a great snack or topper to salads!

scooping baked brie with a cracker

Serving Baked Brie

This recipe makes a great appetizer for the holidays, a game day or any occasion. I like to serve this soft and spreadable baked cheese with crostini. You can make your own by toasting thin slices of baguette with a brush of olive oil in the oven, or find a good high-quality cracker or crostini at the grocery store. 

If you’re making a festive appetizer board, add a few different cracker options. I also like to add a little bowl of candied nuts as an extra snack. You could also add dried fruit or other jams, such as fig or berry. 

plate of baked brie in front of an instant pot

More Instant Pot Holiday Recipes

I love using my Instant Pot / pressure cooker for holiday meals. It makes things easy and hands-off, so I can spend more time with family and friends. Here’s what else is on our menu this time of the year:


Do you LOVE this recipe?
Leave us a review below to tell us why!


plate of cranberry baked brie with crackers

Pressure Cooker Cranberry Pecan Brie

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This ooey, gooey cranberry baked brie in the Instant Pot has a soft center and a nutty topping with candied pecans.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) round of Brie
  • 1/4 cup cranberry jalapeno preserves
  • 3 tablespoons candied pecans
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Slice through the rind on top of the Brie in a grid pattern (You can cut off the top rind, but the cheese stays contained better if you don't remove it before cooking.)
  2. Place the Brie in a baking dish that will fit in your pressure cooking pot. (I used a 7" springform pan.) Cover baking dish tightly with foil.
  3. Prepare a foil sling for lifting the baking dish out of the pressure cooker by taking an 18” strip of foil and folding it twice lengthwise.
  4. Pour 1 cup of water into the pressure cooker and place the rack in the bottom. Carefully center the baking dish on the foil strip and lower it into the pressure cooker on to the rack. Fold the foil strips down so that they do not interfere with closing the lid.
  5. Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and set the time for 15 minutes. When beep sounds, turn off pressure cooker and use a quick pressure release. When valve drops carefully remove lid.
  6. Check to make sure cheese is melted and pipping hot.
  7. Remove to a serving plate and top with preserves, pecans and thyme. Serve warm with baguette slices, crostini, pita wedges, or crackers for dipping.
Candied Pecans: Combine 1/4 cup chopped pecans and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sugar starts to liquefy. Continue stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a golden color and coats the nuts. Remove from heat and spread candied nuts onto a greased or silpat lined cookie sheet, and allow to cool. Stir occasionally as nuts cool to break up large pieces.  

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 25Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by Nutritionix and may not always be accurate.

Instant Pot Cranberry Baked Brie is an easy crowd-pleasing recipe for the holidays that leaves your oven free and has a sweet and spicy topping with a soft, gooey center. 

plate of cranberry baked brie with crackers

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe: Leave your oven clear for other dishes and make a gooey and melty baked brie using your Instant Pot! It’s topped with a cranberry sauce full of seasonal flavors and makes the perfect appetizer to tide guests over until dinner. 

Update: We make this appetizer every year for Christmas. I’ve updated the recipe with new tips and photos to help you make it at home!

pinterest button for instant pot cranberry baked brie

How to Make Instant Pot Baked Brie

This Pressure Cooker Baked Brie recipe will work in any brand of electric pressure cooker, including the Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Power Pressure Cooker XL.

This fast and easy holiday appetizer calls for just four ingredients. Here’s what you need to make baked brie without an oven:

  • Brie. You can use any kind of brie wheel you like. Brie is generally easy to find in the grocery store, but you can find stronger tasting cheeses at a specialty store too. 
  • Cranberry jalapeño preserves. I love the sweet and spicy combination of cranberry and jalapeños. I use the preserves from Pepperlane, which are available at my local grocery store here in Utah. 
  • Candied pecans. You can often find these for sale around the holidays, but it’s also fun and easy to make your own!
  • Fresh thyme. This adds a delightful pop of green to complete the festive look of your brie. 
wheel of brie in a springform pan

Ingredient Swaps and Notes

If you don’t have all of the ingredients for this simple recipe, it’s easy to customize using whatever you have on hand. 

For example, try these easy swaps:

  • Instead of cranberry jalapeño preserves, use your favorite cranberry sauce (or make your own!). For heat, you can add minced fresh jalapeño or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes. 
  • Try using a different candied nut instead of pecans. Almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts will all work. You can also use plain, toasted nuts instead of candied if you like. I love the extra crunch and sweetness from candied, though!
  • Feel free to use a different herb, like rosemary or sage, to top your baked brie. 
overhead of a springform pan wrapped in tin foil in an instant pot

“Baking” Brie in an Instant Pot

Of course, this isn’t technically baked brie. It’s pressure cooked, not baked in the oven. But the result is just as soft and gooey. You’ll need a springform pan to hold the cheese wheel in the pressure cooker. We use a 7-inch round pan to fit in the 6-quart pressure cooker. 

Set the pan on a wire rack or trivet and add a cup of water to the pot to help it steam. 

It’s important to use a sling to place the pan inside the pressure cooker and remove it. You can use a reusable sling or make one out of aluminum foil using these simple directions

Tip: scoring the top of the cheese wheel with a knife helps it cook evenly. I recommend keeping the rind on so the wheel holds its shape for serving. 

plate of cranberry baked brie with crackers

Making Candied Pecans

If you have a bit of time, you can make the candied pecans to top your brie. To do so, simply combine 1/4 cup chopped pecans and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar starts to liquefy. 

Continue stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a golden color and coats the nuts. Remove the pan from the heat and spread the candied nuts onto a greased or silpat lined cookie sheet. Let them cool fully, stirring a few times to break up large pieces.  

You can store leftover pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They make a great snack or topper to salads!

scooping baked brie with a cracker

Serving Baked Brie

This recipe makes a great appetizer for the holidays, a game day or any occasion. I like to serve this soft and spreadable baked cheese with crostini. You can make your own by toasting thin slices of baguette with a brush of olive oil in the oven, or find a good high-quality cracker or crostini at the grocery store. 

If you’re making a festive appetizer board, add a few different cracker options. I also like to add a little bowl of candied nuts as an extra snack. You could also add dried fruit or other jams, such as fig or berry. 

plate of baked brie in front of an instant pot

More Instant Pot Holiday Recipes

I love using my Instant Pot / pressure cooker for holiday meals. It makes things easy and hands-off, so I can spend more time with family and friends. Here’s what else is on our menu this time of the year:


Do you LOVE this recipe?
Leave us a review below to tell us why!


plate of cranberry baked brie with crackers

Pressure Cooker Cranberry Pecan Brie

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This ooey, gooey cranberry baked brie in the Instant Pot has a soft center and a nutty topping with candied pecans.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) round of Brie
  • 1/4 cup cranberry jalapeno preserves
  • 3 tablespoons candied pecans
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Slice through the rind on top of the Brie in a grid pattern (You can cut off the top rind, but the cheese stays contained better if you don't remove it before cooking.)
  2. Place the Brie in a baking dish that will fit in your pressure cooking pot. (I used a 7" springform pan.) Cover baking dish tightly with foil.
  3. Prepare a foil sling for lifting the baking dish out of the pressure cooker by taking an 18” strip of foil and folding it twice lengthwise.
  4. Pour 1 cup of water into the pressure cooker and place the rack in the bottom. Carefully center the baking dish on the foil strip and lower it into the pressure cooker on to the rack. Fold the foil strips down so that they do not interfere with closing the lid.
  5. Lock the lid in place. Select High Pressure and set the time for 15 minutes. When beep sounds, turn off pressure cooker and use a quick pressure release. When valve drops carefully remove lid.
  6. Check to make sure cheese is melted and pipping hot.
  7. Remove to a serving plate and top with preserves, pecans and thyme. Serve warm with baguette slices, crostini, pita wedges, or crackers for dipping.
Candied Pecans: Combine 1/4 cup chopped pecans and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sugar starts to liquefy. Continue stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a golden color and coats the nuts. Remove from heat and spread candied nuts onto a greased or silpat lined cookie sheet, and allow to cool. Stir occasionally as nuts cool to break up large pieces.  

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 25Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by Nutritionix and may not always be accurate.

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