Warm, gooey brie topped with sweet sticky chilli jam. This is the easiest appetiser you will ever make.
If you need something quick that looks impressive but takes almost no effort, Baked Brie with Chilli Jam is the answer. It is rich, creamy, sweet, a little spicy and completely irresistible, and whether you are entertaining, putting together a grazing board or just feel like something a bit special on a Friday night, this simple baked brie always works.
There is something about baked brie that instantly feels like entertaining, even if you are only feeding a couple of people at the kitchen bench. The moment you bring out a warm wheel of cheese with glossy chilli jam slowly settling into the top, people hover. It smells amazing, it looks inviting and it feels just a little bit indulgent.
What I love most about this recipe is how low effort it actually is. There is no complicated prep, no fancy techniques and no long ingredient list. You are simply warming beautiful creamy brie and topping it with chilli jam that does all the flavour work for you.
The richness of the brie melts into the sweet heat of the chilli jam, and that contrast is what makes it so good. The jam cuts through the creaminess perfectly so it never feels too heavy. Instead, you get a balance of creamy, sticky, sweet and savoury in every bite.
If you already have a jar of homemade chilli jam in the fridge, this is one of the best ways to use it. If you do not, this recipe alone might convince you to make a batch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Only two main ingredients
• Ready in under 20 minutes
• Perfect for entertaining or last minute guests
• Looks impressive with very little effort
• Easy to customise with nuts or herbs
• Works with homemade or store bought chilli jam
It is the kind of recipe you can memorise after making it once, which is always a good sign.
Why Chilli Jam and Brie Work So Well Together
Brie is mild, creamy and slightly buttery. On its own, it is lovely but quite rich. Chilli jam brings sweetness, acidity and gentle warmth, which balances that richness beautifully.
When baked, the cheese softens from the inside out while the chilli jam warms and loosens slightly on top. The sugars in the jam intensify just enough to give you that glossy finish without burning, as long as you keep an eye on it.
You do not need anything complicated here. The magic is in the contrast. Creamy cheese. Sweet heat. Crunchy crackers. It just works.
Ingredients
1 wheel brie, about 200 to 250 grams
2 to 3 tablespoons chilli jam (store-bought or homemade)
Crackers or sliced baguette, to serve
Optional extras if you want to elevate it slightly
Chopped roasted almonds or pecans
A few fresh thyme leaves
Freshly cracked black pepper
The base version is perfect as is, but a sprinkle of nuts adds texture and makes it feel a little more special if you are serving guests.
How to Make Baked Brie with Chilli Jam
- Preheat your oven to 180°C fan forced or 200°C conventional.
- Place the brie on a lined baking tray or in a small oven safe dish. If your brie comes in a wooden box, you can remove the lid and bake it in the base as long as it is oven safe.
- Spoon the chilli jam evenly over the top, spreading it gently but not pressing down.
- If using nuts or thyme, scatter them over now.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the centre feels soft when gently pressed. The edges should hold their shape but the inside should be beautifully gooey.
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This makes it easier to scoop and prevents it from completely spilling out.
- Serve warm with crackers, toasted baguette or fresh slices of apple or pear.
Tips for Perfect Results
Do not overbake it. If the cheese splits and runs everywhere, it has gone too far. You want soft and molten in the centre, not collapsed.
If your chilli jam is very thick from the fridge, warm it slightly before spooning over so it spreads easily.
If you are serving this as part of a grazing board, bake it just before guests arrive so it is still warm and inviting.
What to Serve with Baked Brie
- Water crackers
- Toasted baguette slices
- Grilled sourdough
- Fresh apple or pear slices
- As part of a grazing board with cured meats and olives
It pairs beautifully with anything creamy, crispy or slightly salty.
FAQ’s
Can I use store bought chilli jam?
Yes, absolutely. Store bought chilli jam works perfectly well in this recipe. That said, my homemade chilli jam has a fresher flavour and better balance of sweetness and heat. If you already have a jar in the fridge, this is one of the best ways to use it.
Can I use camembert instead of brie?
Yes. Camembert is a great substitute and bakes in exactly the same way. It has a slightly stronger flavour than brie but still melts beautifully in the centre.
How do I know when baked brie is ready?
Gently press the centre of the cheese with the back of a spoon. It should feel soft and slightly springy underneath the rind. The edges will still hold their shape, but the middle should be gooey and molten.
Can I prepare baked brie ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the brie with the chilli jam and keep it covered in the fridge for a few hours before baking. When ready to serve, bake as directed. It is always best served warm from the oven.
Can I reheat leftover baked brie?
You can reheat it gently in the oven until warmed through. The texture may not be quite as perfect as when freshly baked, but it will still taste delicious.
Can I bake brie in its wooden box?
Sometimes. Some brie comes in thin wooden boxes that are oven safe, but not all are designed for heat. Check the packaging first. If unsure, transfer the cheese to a small oven safe dish.
What nuts work best on top?
Roasted almonds, pecans or walnuts work beautifully. The crunch adds texture and balances the soft cheese and sticky jam. You only need a small handful.
What else can I add to baked brie with chilli jam?
You can add a few thyme leaves, a light sprinkle of black pepper or even a small drizzle of honey if your chilli jam is not very sweet. Keep it simple so the cheese and jam remain the star.
If you love cooking with chilli jam, you might also enjoy trying it in other simple dishes or serving it alongside crispy appetisers. Once you start pairing it with creamy cheeses and crunchy bites, you will find yourself reaching for that jar again and again. If you try this recipe I would love to hear how it went. Let me know in the comments section below!
More Sweet and Savoury Jams:
- Chilli Jam (The Absolute Best!)
- Caramelised Onion Jam with Balsamic Vinegar
- Tomato Bacon & Chilli Jam
- How to Use Chilli Jam
Baked Brie with Chilli Jam
Ingredients
- 1 wheel of brie, about 180 to 200g (see notes below)
- 2-3 tablespoons homemade or store-bought chilli jam
- Crackers or sliced baguette, to serve
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped roasted almonds or pecans
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C fan forced or 200°C conventional. Place the brie on a lined baking tray or in a small oven safe dish.
- Spoon the chilli jam evenly over the top and sprinkle with nuts or thyme (if using).
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the centre feels soft when gently pressed. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with crackers or toasted baguette.
Notes
- COOKS NOTES:
Oven Temps: Oven temperatures are for conventional, if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C.
Measurements: We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon = 5 ml, 1 tablespoon = 20 ml & 1 cup = 250 ml.
Herbs: All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed.
Vegetables: All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified.
Eggs: We use extra-large size and eggs are 55-60 g each, unless specified. - You can use regular brie, double cream or triple cream brie for this recipe. Triple cream will be softer and more indulgent, while standard brie will hold its shape slightly better when baked.
- Most supermarket brie wheels are around 180 to 200 grams. If using a larger wheel, simply add an extra spoonful of chilli jam and bake a few minutes longer.
- Do not over bake. The centre should be soft and gooey but still holding its shape.
- Camembert can be used instead of brie.
- Assemble ahead of time and bake just before serving for best results.
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