If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that’s equal parts cozy and impressive, you’ve got to try my Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe. Imagine a golden sourdough bread bowl, filled with warm, gooey brie, topped with sweet fig preserves — it’s seriously fan-freaking-tastic! Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or a casual get-together, this recipe brings the perfect balance of flavors and textures, and it’s so easy to whip up in your air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy Prep: You only need a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps to impress your guests.
- Air Fryer Magic: Uses the air fryer to speed up cooking while keeping that crisp bread crust and melty cheese.
- Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: Sweet fig preserves and creamy brie are a match made in heaven that everyone raves about.
- Versatile and Stylish: Easy to dress up with fresh figs and rosemary sprigs for a beautiful presentation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe is how few ingredients it requires — all high-quality staples that come together for big flavor. Choosing a good sourdough loaf and fresh fig preserves is key to nailing this dish.
- Sourdough bread round: Pick a sturdy, round loaf that can hold the baked brie without falling apart.
- Brie cheese wheel: An 8-ounce wheel works perfectly for the hollowed-out bread bowl size.
- Fig preserves: This adds a wonderful touch of sweetness and pairs wonderfully with the creaminess of brie.
- Fresh figs: Optional, but they add a beautiful, fresh garnish that your guests will love.
- Rosemary sprigs: Adds a lovely aroma and makes the presentation extra special.
- Olive oil: For brushing the bread to get that crispy, golden crust.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can swap in different jams, herbs, or even nuts to match the occasion or your mood.
- Jam swap: I’ve made this with raspberry or apricot preserves when I couldn’t find fig, and it was still delicious.
- Nuts for crunch: Adding chopped toasted walnuts or pecans on top gives a lovely texture contrast.
- Herb variations: Try thyme or sage instead of rosemary for a different aromatic touch.
- Dietary tweaks: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free bread bowl or bake the brie in a small ramekin with bread or crackers on the side.
How to Make Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Bread Bowl
Start by placing your brie wheel on top of the sourdough loaf to trace its size with a sharp knife. This helps you hollow out just the right sized hole to nestle the cheese perfectly. When scooping out the bread, be careful not to punch through the bottom — you want a sturdy bread “bowl.” Also, slicing 1-inch cuts around the circle but not all the way through creates those irresistible bread “petals” that you’ll brush with olive oil for that golden crisp.
Step 2: Prepare the Brie and Fill the Bowl
Next, remove the outer rind from the top of the brie — this lets the fig preserves sink right into the cheese for a luscious melty topping. Nestle the cheese inside the bread bowl, and spoon the fig preserves evenly over it. This combo of creamy, salty brie with the sweet fruity jam is pure magic.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Line the base of your air fryer with parchment paper or foil to catch drips, then preheat to 375°F. Place your bread bowl right in the basket. From my experience, 8 to 10 minutes is just right: the bread crisps up beautifully while the brie melts into a delicious, oozy center. Keep an eye on it during those last few minutes to avoid burning the bread. This step is where the air fryer really shines—quick, efficient, and no extra oven space needed.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve Warm
Carefully remove the bread bowl and transfer it to a serving plate. Garnish with fresh fig slices and rosemary sprigs—you’ll love the fresh aroma and elegant look these add. Serve it right away while that brie is still warm and oozy. Trust me, everyone will be reaching in for seconds!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe
- Choose the Right Bread: I’ve found that sourdough holds up better than softer breads, giving you a sturdy bowl that crisps up nicely without falling apart.
- Watch Your Air Fryer: Every air fryer is a little different, so start checking your baked brie at 8 minutes to avoid over-browning your bread.
- Rind Removal Matters: Removing just the top rind lets the preserves soak in perfectly, making the cheese beautifully decadent.
- Use Parchment or Foil: Line your air fryer basket to catch any melted cheese or jam drips—which makes cleanup a breeze.
How to Serve Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I love using fresh figs sliced thin for a juicy contrast, and rosemary sprigs that add a lovely piney fragrance. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of toasted nuts can elevate the flavor even more.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with a light green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or a simple charcuterie board featuring cured meats and olives. Your guests will appreciate the contrast of fresh and savory alongside the rich brie.
Creative Ways to Present
I once served this Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe at a holiday party surrounded by mini honey jars and edible flowers for a stunning centerpiece. Wrapping the bread “petals” with fresh herbs tied with twine makes for a rustic, festive touch that really gets people talking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying the leftovers, I wrap the bread bowl tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Though best fresh, it will keep well for up to two days. Just know the bread won’t be as crisp the second time around.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze this dish because the bread can get soggy, but if you want to prepare the brie and preserves ahead of time, you can freeze those separately and assemble fresh before air frying.
Reheating
When reheating leftovers, I pop the bread bowl back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to refresh the crisp on the bread and warm the cheese without overcooking it.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of bread for the bread bowl?
Absolutely! While sourdough is my go-to for its sturdy texture and flavor, you can experiment with other round loaves like a boule or challah. Just make sure the bread is dense enough to hold the brie without collapsing.
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Do I have to remove the rind from the brie?
Removing the top rind allows the fig preserves to seep straight into the cheese for added flavor and gooey texture. However, if you prefer, you can leave it on—the brie will still melt nicely but with a slightly different texture.
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How long does it take to air fry baked brie?
It usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes at 375°F. Timing can vary based on your air fryer model, so start checking at 8 minutes to get perfect melted cheese without burning the bread.
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Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prep the bread bowl and brie ahead, but I recommend waiting to add the fig preserves and air fry it until just before serving for the freshest, meltiest results.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe turns out every time — it’s warm, comforting, and has that perfect mix of sweet and savory that keeps everyone coming back for more. When I first tried this method with the air fryer, I was amazed at how quickly it cooked without drying out the bread or cheese. If you want a simple, elegant app that steals the show but doesn’t take all day, this is the recipe to lean on. Give it a try, and I promise your family and friends will thank you!
Print
Air Fryer Baked Brie in Bread Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Bread Bowl Baked Brie with Fig Preserves is a delicious and elegant appetizer featuring creamy melted brie cheese baked inside a hollowed-out sourdough bread loaf, topped with sweet fig preserves and garnished with fresh figs and rosemary. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this recipe uses an air fryer to achieve a toasted bread bowl and gooey cheese in just minutes.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 round loaf sourdough bread
- 1 (8-ounce) wheel of brie cheese
- 1/2 cup fig preserves
- Fresh figs and rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
- Olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Place the brie wheel in the center of the top of the bread. Using a sharp knife, trace a circle around the brie on the bread surface. Remove the top bread round within the traced circle and scoop out enough bread from the inside to fit the cheese wheel snugly.
- Score the bread: Cut 1-inch slices around the outside of the circle but do not cut all the way through to keep the loaf intact. Brush the bread surface with olive oil and set aside.
- Prepare the brie: Place the brie on a flat surface and carefully remove the outer rind from the top of the cheese wheel, discarding the rind.
- Assemble the bread bowl: Place the prepared brie inside the hollowed-out section of the bread. Spread the fig preserves evenly over the top of the brie.
- Preheat the air fryer: Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch any drips. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Air fry the bread bowl: Put the assembled bread bowl into the center of the air fryer basket and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bread is nicely toasted and the brie is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the bread bowl carefully from the air fryer and place on a serving plate. Garnish with fresh figs and rosemary sprigs. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This air fryer baked brie bread bowl is a perfect holiday appetizer that impresses guests while freeing oven space for other dishes.
- Removing the top rind from the brie allows the preserves to meld beautifully with the creamy cheese.
- Ensure the air fryer basket is lined to avoid any cheese or preserve leakage from burning or sticking.
- Use sourdough or any sturdy bread loaf that can hold the brie without collapsing.
- Serve immediately for the creamiest cheese and crispiest bread experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of bread bowl)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
