Home Cook Turns Babybel Cheese Into A Gourmet Treat In A Few Simple Steps
Minimal-step appetizers are such a great hosting hack. As someone who frequently hosts cocktail and dinner parties, having a back-pocket trick like this is a lifesaver when you're in a bind. Social media is especially good for this sort of thing, with creators showing us how to transform humble kitchen and pantry staples into delicious dishes we only wish we'd thought of ourselves.
Nostalgic Babybel cheese is a perfect party snack, either eaten straight from its waxy wrapper or as a gooey delight coming right out of the air fryer. TikToker @madebykateryna has a genius use for the humble snack cheese, and the method to her madness couldn't be simpler. Start by unwrapping Babybels from their waxy exteriors, then score one side of each and place them score-side down atop about a teaspoon of honey on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Scoring the Babybel cheese not only helps connect it with the honey, creating a joint caramelized effect, it also encourages even melting in the finished product.
Next, cover the cheese with a small circle of puff pastry, seal the edges with a fork (crimping the dough helps prevent the cheese from oozing out the sides), brush with melted butter, and bake in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Think of it as a shrunken-down version of baked Brie, an iconic food trend from the '90s. The end result is a molten sweet-and-savory morsel that's perfect for a party or anytime snacking.
@madebykateryna Honey Babybel Bites Crispy pastry + melted Babybel + honey. You need to try this. 🔥 Ingredients: • Babybel Original • Puff pastry • 1 tsp honey per Babybel • Melted butter Directions: Add 1 tsp honey onto parchment. Place a Babybel directly on top. Cover with puff pastry, press around the cheese, and seal the edges with a fork. Brush with melted butter. Bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let cool slightly and enjoy that melty cheese center. 🤤 #BabybelRecipe #PuffPastry #EasySnack #CheeseLovers #TikTokRecipes
How to make honey Babybel bites your own
Beyond the OG Babybel, this hack also works with other varieties, including mozzarella, Gouda, white cheddar, and Monterey Jack. Babybel also makes plant-based flavors that bake just as well as their dairy counterparts. The plant-based Fiery Hot, in particular, makes an excellent contrast to the sweetness of the honey drizzle.
There are also plenty of ways to switch up the sweet-and-savory pairing. A drizzle of hot honey adds a welcome hit of heat, while maple syrup lends a deeper, more caramel-like sweetness. Jams and compotes, such as fig, raspberry, apple, and cranberry — all classic accompaniments to baked Brie — are also natural pairings for this appetizer. Pepper jelly works particularly well, too, delivering a subtle kick that cuts through the richness of the melted cheese. You can also add herbs, such as fresh thyme or rosemary leaves, to the melted butter before you paint it on the crust for a stark contrast of flavors with the cheese.