[Foodie Friday Recipe] Instant Pot® Baked Brie & Apples Appetizer

Treat your holiday guests to a perfectly divine appetizer that they won’t forget with this easy Instant Pot Baked Brie & Apples recipe!

When it comes to holiday entertaining, there’s nothing better than a warm, melty appetizer that feels special but doesn’t add to your kitchen chaos! This Instant Pot Baked Brie with Spiced Apple Topping is just that — a simple, elegant, and crowd-pleasing dish that comes together in minutes, without ever touching your oven. Perfect for those moments when every rack is already occupied with roasts, sides, and pies, this recipe gives you one less thing to juggle when preparing a big holiday meal!

Sweet, savory, and beautifully aromatic, it combines creamy Brie with a festive mix of sautéed apples, orange, honey, and warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and rosemary. The result is a luscious, gooey dip that pairs perfectly with crisp apple slices or crunchy crostini.

Whether you’re hosting a cozy holiday gathering, a dinner party, or a casual evening with friends, this baked Brie is guaranteed to impress — and disappear fast! Serve it right from a pretty ramekin or foil-wrapped round, top it with a sprinkle of pecans and fresh herbs, and watch it become the centerpiece of your appetizer spread.

This super easy and delicious appetizer is perfect for holiday and other gatherings when your oven is already in use for other items.

Tip: For a nice presentation, use a ramekin or other heat-proof bowl just large enough to fit the Brie round (approximately 4½ – 5-inch diameter and at least 1-inch deep). If you don’t have a container this size, you can wrap the round of Brie tightly with aluminum foil, as well.

Instant Pot® Baked Brie & Apples

Prep time: 10 minutes
Sauté time: 2-3 minutes
Active cook time: 5 minutes
Natural release: 10 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 8-oz. round of Brie
2 large baking apples, cored and chopped
½ medium orange, peeled and chopped, with juice
2 TB. red onion, chopped
2 tsp. fresh ginger, finely minced
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. dried rosemary
3 TB. honey, preferably local
¼ tsp. salt
¼ c. apple cider
¼ c. pecans, roughly chopped
Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs, for garnish

To serve: Gluten-free crackers or crostini, and/or sliced apples tossed in some lemon juice to prevent browning

Directions:

1. Carefully cut the top off the round of Brie and place inside a round heat-proof bowl just large enough to hold it (see dimensions above). Place the rind back on top of the Brie and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Set aside.
2. Add the chopped apples, orange, onion, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, honey, salt, and apple cider to the Instant Pot® and stir to combine.
3. Place the prepared round of Brie onto the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot® and carefully lower into the unit with the trivet arms up for easy removal.
4. Lock the lid into place and flip the pressure valve to “Sealing.” Set the “Manual” setting to “High” for 5 minutes.
5. When the cook time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops and no additional steam comes out, carefully remove the lid before lifting out the trivet and Brie with potholders. Set aside.
6. Select the Sauté function on the highest setting. Bring the fruit mixture to a low boil while stirring frequently. Heat until the mixture thickens, approximately 2-3 minutes. Turn the unit off.
7. Remove the foil and the top piece of rind from the warm Brie. To serve, transfer to a platter and spoon some of the fruit mixture on top. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans and garnish with small sprigs of fresh rosemary and/or thyme, if desired. Serve immediately with gluten-free crackers or crostini, and/or fresh apple slices. Enjoy!