If you’ve ever tasted brie, you know that it is a deliciously creamy cheese. Whether served at room temperature on a cheese platter or hot and melted fresh out of the oven, brie can make a wonderful appetizer for a dinner party, large gathering, or even a small intimate get-together. However, you may be confused about what the best crackers for brie are.
Well, worry no more! Today, I’m going to share some of the best cracker choices that you can serve alongside your baked brie.
Table of Contents
- What is brie cheese?
- How do you serve brie?
- What kind of cracker goes with brie?
- What else can you serve with brie?
- Selecting the Best Crackers for Brie
What is brie cheese?
You may know the difference between white American cheese and yellow American cheese, but do you know what brie is?
Brie, which originated from France, is a very creamy cheese. It is most commonly made using cow’s milk, though you may also find brie that was made with goat’s milk.
Brie comes in rounds. It has a soft and rind, which is edible. The interior is very soft and buttery. Whether hot or at room temperature, brie spreads nicely over crackers or bread. Traditional French brie is made using raw milk. Because of this, it cannot be imported to the United States.
Rather, a stabilized type of brie is imported from France. Compared to traditional brie, this stabilized version is a bit milder. As it ages, the flavor may become a bit earthier or fruitier.
How do you serve brie?
There are so many varieties of cheese, each with their own unique texture and taste. It can be confusing learning the differences between these cheeses, how long they last, or the best way to serve them. You may have many questions, like: “what happens if you eat cheese that smells bad,” “how long does parmesan cheese last,” “how can you tell if cream cheese is bad,” and “how do you serve brie?” Today, we’re going to take a look at that last question and discuss the best way to serve brie and what crackers pair well with it.
You can serve brie cheese as part of a cheese platter. In addition to adding some crackers (which I’ll discuss in a few moments), sliced brie cheese also tastes wonderfully when paired with sliced bread, fruit, or nuts.
Alternatively, brie’s creamy consistency can become even creamier when baked in the oven. You can bake brie all by itself, and it will taste amazing, or you can add toppings such as jam, cranberries, roasted garlic, nuts, honey. Once baked in the oven, brie becomes ooey, gooey, and delicious.
Another option if you plan to make baked brie is to make brie en croute. This involves wrapping the brie in a puff pastry before baking it.
What kind of cracker goes with brie?
So, what goes best with brie cheese?
One of the best things about brie is that it is very versatile. Whether you’re preparing baked brie or just placing a wheel of brie out on a cheeseboard, there are many different types of crackers that will nicely complement its taste.
The key to choosing the best crackers to serve with brie is to think about your preferences and the overall impression you’re looking to make if you are having guests over. For example, you could opt for a milder cracker if you want the emphasis to be on the way the brie tastes or the combination of the brie and jam that you are serving. Alternatively, you may opt for a more flavorful or seasoned cracker to enhance the taste of the cheese.
Below you’ll find some of the best types of crackers to complement the creamy and delicious taste of brie.
Seeded Crackers
Seeded crackers, such as those made with sesame seeds, are an excellent choice when you’re looking for what to serve with brie. The crunch of the crackers along with the extra texture the seeds add will help make the brie especially delectable. If you’re enjoying jam with your brie as well, it will also pair nicely with a seeded cracker.
Sea Salt Crackers
If you enjoy the taste of a saltier cracker, then consider trying sea salt crackers with your brie. Brie, especially when served with jam, will have a sweeter taste. This sweeter flavor paired with the saltier taste of the crackers will give your mouth something interesting to look forward to with every bite.
Whole Wheat Crackers
Many people also enjoy the taste of whole wheat crackers with sliced brie. Whole wheat crackers offer a unique flavor that will help pull out the amazing taste of the brie. Additionally, they are a bit better for you than many other types of crackers. They are, obviously, made from whole wheat flour rather than white flour. They are also higher in many vitamins and nutrients, such as potassium, fiber, and magnesium.
Multigrain Crackers
Multigrain crackers are crunchy and have a very distinct texture. The mix of grains, seed, flax, and other key ingredients in multigrain crackers helps them to enhance the taste of brie. If you’re looking for crackers for baked brie, you should also consider trying multigrain crackers. Once you spread the gooey and creamy brie over the cracker and put it in your mouth to taste it, you’ll see just how delicious this pairing can be.
Herb Crackers
Garlic or rosemary herb crackers are a good choice to consider if you’re looking to add a little extra flavor to your brie. While brie can hold its own as far as taste is concerned, pairing it with something to add a bit more oomph every now and then is also a good idea. I think you’ll enjoy the way the rosemary and garlic flavors dance around the buttery flavor of the brie.
Nut and Rice Crackers
Manufacturers keep finding new types of crackers to make. One of the more recent ‘discoveries’ was using nuts to make thin crackers. The nutty taste along with the crunch makes these a good pairing for brie or even baked brie. Consider that nuts are often toppings for baked brie, and you can imagine why serving brie on nut crackers is very tasty.
Grissini Sticks
You’ve probably heard of, or even tried, Grissini sticks, even if you’re not familiar with the name. Grissini sticks, or Grissini breadsticks, are long and thin crackers/breadsticks. In addition to offering a unique look to a cheese platter due to their rounded shape, Grissini sticks also taste great alongside brie. Whether you’re spreading room temperature brie over them or dipping them in baked brie, I think you’ll agree that the result will be delicious.
Sourdough Crackers
Sourdough crackers are another choice to think about. If you’ve had sourdough bread, you are probably familiar with its distinct and enjoyable taste. Sourdough crackers are made in a similar fashion; the bacteria and yeast are mixed together and are allowed to grow. I think you’ll really enjoy sourdough crackers alongside your baked brie or when served with brie and jam.
Water Crackers
Water crackers, or simply plain white crackers, should also be considered when serving brie. While these crackers are pretty flavorless, sometimes that is what you want with brie. Serving your brie, baked brie, or brie with jam on a water cracker makes it clear that the brie is the star of the show. The plainer taste of the cracker won’t interfere with the delightful flavor of the brie.
What else can you serve with brie?
While crackers do pair very nicely with brie, they aren’t the only thing you can lay out next to your brie on a cheeseboard or serve with your baked brie. Here are a few other foods that will nicely complement the taste of the brie:
- Crusty bread: Just as the crunch of a nice cracker tastes good when paired with brie, the same is true for a crusty bread. When serving baked brie, especially, many individuals prefer crusty bread to crackers. Consider slicing and toasting some Italian, French, or sourdough bread to serve with your brie.
- Fruit: Many fruits also enhance the flavor of brie. Some favorites include pears, apples, grapes, and berries. In fact, many baked brie recipes feature fruits as toppings for the gooey cheesy goodness.
- Unsalted Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are also commonly served with brie. These nuts are also featured in many baked brie recipes.
- Dry White Wines: Finally, don’t forget that you will also want to offer the right beverage pairing with your brie. Dry white wines that are more acidic and herbaceous can offer a nice complement to the flavor of the brie. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are two that you may want to grab for your next get together.
Selecting the Best Crackers for Brie
Is your mouth watering thinking about all of these flavorful combinations. Now, it is time for you to decide which type of cracker you’d like to serve with your brie. The right cracker type will ultimately depend on your preferences, whether you’re serving baked brie or room temperature brie on a cheese platter, and what you think your guests will enjoy.
So, which crackers do you think you’ll add to your cart to serve with brie at your next get-together?
