Brie and apples are a classic pairing that enhances the flavors of both ingredients. The creaminess of the cheese combines with the sweet tartness of apples to create a delicious flavor profile. But with so many apple varieties to choose from, it can be difficult to know which type of apple goes best with Brie. Certain apple characteristics like sweetness, acidity, texture and aroma can complement Brie differently. This article will examine some of the most popular apple varieties and make recommendations for which types pair best with the soft, buttery Brie cheese.
Apples that Pair Well with Brie
Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp apples are a great match for Brie. This apple variety has a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The crisp, juicy flesh has hints of honey and spice flavors that bring out the subtle nuttiness of Brie. Honeycrisp apples also hold their shape well when baked or sliced, which provides a nice textural contrast to the smooth, creamy Brie.
Fuji
Fujis are another excellent pairing for Brie. This sweet, crisp apple contains notes of honey and berries. The sweeter profile balances the tangy flavors of Brie. Fuji apples are juicier compared to other apples, and the moisture enhances the melting texture of the rind. Fujis are great for eating raw with Brie or baking into tarts, galettes and pies served with a wedge of Brie on top.
Pink Lady
Pink Lady apples have the perfect crisp, dense texture to offset creamy Brie. They contain higher acidity than other sweet apple varieties, which cuts through the richness of the cheese. The tart, berry-like flavors complement the subtle nuttiness of Brie. Pink Ladies also hold their shape well when cooked, so they work nicely in baked Brie appetizers.
Jazz
This newer apple variety has a refreshing balance of sweetness and tangy flavor. Like Pink Ladies, Jazz apples have a nice dense crunch and high acidity. The tartness contrasts with Brie’s mild flavor and smooth texture. Jazz apples are great for eating raw or cooked into recipes like tarts, galettes and gratins topped with Brie.
Braeburn
Braeburn is a versatile apple that pairs well with a wide range of cheeses. It contains a crisp texture and a balanced sweet-tart flavor with hints of spice. The hint of cinnamon flavor brings added warmth that complements Brie’s nuttiness. Braeburns also hold their shape nicely during cooking, making them an ideal choice for baked Brie dishes and hot apple and Brie appetizers.
Apples to Avoid with Brie
Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples lack the acidity and complexity to pair well with Brie. Their one-dimensional, cloying sweetness overpowers the tangy, nutty flavors of the cheese. They also become mealy and soft when baked or cooked. For a sweeter apple, Fuji or Honeycrisp are better choices to complement Brie.
Gala
Gala apples have a very mild, sweet flavor compared to other apple varieties. On their own, they make a great snacking apple. However, Galas lack enough acidity and depth of flavor to stand up to pungent Brie. The cheese will overpower the apple, creating an imbalanced flavor profile. Other varieties like Jazz or Pink Lady work better for eating raw with Brie.
McIntosh
McIntosh apples have a tender, soft flesh that breaks down easily when cooked. While nice for applesauce, their texture gets mushy when baked into Brie tarts or appetizers. Crisper varieties like Honeycrisp, Braeburn or Pink Lady hold up better for cooked Brie dishes. McIntosh apples also lack the vibrant sweet-tart balance needed to complement Brie’s flavor profile.
Empire
Empire apples are very juicy and sweet, but lack enough acidity to balance Brie’s rich flavor. They tend to become watery and lose their shape when cooked into baked Brie recipes. Empire apples are enjoyable to eat raw, but won’t have as interesting of a contrast of flavors and textures with the cheese.
Golden Delicious
While great for snacking, Golden Delicious apples are too sweet and mellow in flavor for Brie. They lack the lively acidity and crisp bite to balance out the creaminess of the cheese. Golden Delicious tend to become soft and overcooked more easily in baked goods as well. Other yellow apple varieties like Jazz or Braeburn are better pairings with Brie.
Tips for Serving Apples with Brie
Highlight textures
The contrasts between apples’ crisp, juicy crunch and Brie’s ultra-smooth, creamy texture is part of what makes them a classic pairing. When serving apples with Brie, select apple varieties that are crisp and dense, like Honeycrisp or Braeburn, and serve them raw to highlight this textural difference. Another approach is to bake or grill sliced apples to soften them while keeping the Brie chilled and spreadable.
Try warm apples
Warming up sliced apples brings out their sugars and aromas. To serve warm baked apples with Brie, core and slice apples, toss with cinnamon sugar, bake at 375°F until tender and top with room temperature Brie just before serving so it gets slightly melted. Grilled apple slices paired with chilled Brie also makes a nice combo.
Include crunchy toppings
Toppings like chopped nuts, granola and toasted oats add a crispy crunch that contrasts nicely with melted Brie. Try spreading Brie over apples and topping with spiced pecans or toasted almonds. Granola or oats are also delicious sprinkled over warm baked apples with Brie.
Drizzle with honey
Honey’s inherent floral sweetness pairs perfectly with apples and Brie. Drizzle some raw honey over sliced apples and Brie to bring the flavors together. Or brush a little on apples and Brie before baking them.
Make an apple and Brie galette
For an impressive dessert, arrange sliced apples over pie dough, top with wedges of Brie and bake into a rustic galette. Sweeten the apples slightly with sugar or honey and add aromatic spices like cinnamon. Serve the galette warm with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the melted Brie.
Toast bread or crackers
Crispy, toasted bread or crackers helps contrast the creamy texture of Brie. Try spreading Brie over apple slices on toasted baguette slices or water crackers for a tasty appetizer. Whole grain crackers or nut and seed crackers also pair nicely.
Apple and Brie Recipe Ideas
Baked Brie with Apples and Honey
A wheel of Brie baked with fresh apple slices and drizzled with honey makes an elegant appetizer for a dinner party. Use a crisp, tart apple variety like Jazz or Pink Lady. Arrange alternating slices of apple and Brie in a baking dish, drizzle with honey and bake until the cheese softens and apples are tender.
Apple and Brie Grilled Cheese
Elevate an ordinary grilled cheese by using sliced apples and Brie as fillings. Butter the outside of bread slices and fill with a layer of Brie, slices of a sweet-tart apple like Honeycrisp, and an extra layer of cheese. Grill the sandwich until the bread is crispy and the cheese melted.
Apple, Walnut and Brie Salad
Turn apples and Brie into a refreshing salad by tossing mixed greens with sliced apples, crumbled Brie, toasted walnuts and a tangy vinaigrette. The cheese softens slightly from the heat of the greens for a gorgeous wilted salad.
Brie and Apple Flatbread
Spread a layer of softened Brie over flatbread or naan. Top with thin slices of apples like Pink Lady, a sprinkle of fresh thyme and a drizzle of honey. Bake until the flatbread is crisp and cheese melted. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with arugula for a gourmet twist.
French Apple and Brie Crepes
Fill delicate crepes with sliced apples sauteed with butter and brown sugar for a touch of caramel flavor. Top with thinly sliced Brie and fold the crepes closed. Bake until the cheese melts, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with chopped walnuts.
| Apple Variety | Texture | Flavor notes | Ideal pairings with Brie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeycrisp | Crisp, juicy | Honey sweetness with mild tartness | Eaten raw, baked into galettes |
| Fuji | Crisp, juicy | Sweet with berry tones | Baked into tarts or flatbreads |
| Pink Lady | Crisp, dense | Sweet-tart with berry flavor | Raw apples, baked Brie appetizers |
| Jazz | Crisp, dense | Mild sweetness with bright acidity | Eaten raw or baked into tarts |
| Braeburn | Crisp | Sweet-tart with hints of spice | Baked Brie dishes and tarts |
Conclusion
The ideal apples to pair with Brie have a crisp texture, balanced sweet-tart flavor, and maintain their shape when cooked. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jazz, Fuji and Braeburn complement Brie best. Their acidity cuts through the rich cheese, while notes of honey, berries and spice bring out nuances in the buttery Brie. Sweeter, softer apples like Red Delicious and McIntosh do not make good pairings. When serving apples and Brie, highlight their contrasting textures by eating raw apples with creamy cheese. Baked or grilled apples also pair nicely to soften the apples while keeping the Brie chilled. Drizzling with honey, adding crunchy toppings and serving alongside toasted bread or crackers rounds out the flavors. With so many ways to enjoy apples with Brie, this classic combination deserves a place at every cheese board.