The baked Camembert cheese is one of those easy and quick recipes that never fail. In a few minutes you get an irresistible appetizer, perfect for sharing with family or friends. Its gooey texture and the ease of pairing it with sweet or savory ingredients make it an essential recipe for any occasion.
Today I bring you three delicious recipes to prepare baked Camembert with ingredients you likely already have at home: from a sweet combination with honey and nuts, to a more Mediterranean version with olives and tomatoes. The best part is you can customize it according to your tastes or those of your guests.
In all cases we prepare it in a Le Creuset mini casserole, which, as you know, we use for everything. In this case, it’s not only perfect for serving individually or in small portions, but it also helps keep the cheese warm and creamy for longer.
And if you're wondering whether you can make it in the microwave, keep reading! At the end of the post I explain the differences between using the oven and what options you have depending on the time and the result you’re looking for.
1. Baked Camembert recipe with onion jam and thyme
Ingredients
- 250 g Camembert
- 60 g onion jam
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C and place the Camembert in a Le Creuset mini-casserole.
- Make a couple of cross cuts on the surface of the cheese.
- Mix the onion jam with the thyme and spread it over the cheese.
- Cover the dish and bake it for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
2. Baked Camembert with pecan nuts and honey
Ingredients
- 250 g Camembert
- 60 g pecan nuts
- 113 g honey
- Flaky salt for serving
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Place the Camembert in the mini-casserole and make a couple of cuts on the surface.
- Add the pecan nuts on top and drizzle with the honey.
- Cover the dish and bake it for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the nuts are caramelized.
- Before serving, sprinkle with a little flaky salt.
3. Baked Camembert with olives, peppers, tomato and thyme
Ingredients
- 250 g Camembert
- 3 pear tomatoes, halved
- 80 g pitted olives
- 10 g sweet peppers, sliced
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare the Camembert in the mini-casserole, making a few cuts on the top of the cheese.
- Cover the cheese with the tomatoes, olives, peppers and a few sprigs of thyme.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is hot and the ingredients are lightly roasted.
IMPORTANT! Remember to bring the mini-casserole with Camembert straight to the table, served with toasted bread and crackers.
Can you make Camembert in a mini-casserole in the microwave?
Making Camembert in the microwave is possible, but don’t expect the same result. The microwave melts the cheese quickly and without fuss, but it doesn’t have the ability to brown or caramelize the ingredients like the oven does, which is essential to enhance the flavor of these recipes.
If you decide to try it, follow the same steps as the recipe: make the cuts in the cheese and place the toppings you prefer. Then, heat it in the microwave at medium-low power in 30–40 second intervals, watching that it doesn’t overheat to avoid losing its texture. In total, it may take about 2–3 minutes, depending on your microwave. The important thing is that the cheese is creamy and well melted, but without boiling.
As for the differences, be clear: the oven allows the cheese to melt more evenly and the surface to become slightly browned, while in the microwave it simply melts without that crunchy touch. Also, the toppings like nuts or tomatoes do not caramelize or roast, so they lose that toasted nuance that the oven provides. That said, in terms of speed, the microwave wins hands down, perfect if you're in a hurry or don't feel like turning on the oven.
Is it worth doing it in the microwave?
If you're looking for something quick and don't mind skipping the browning and toasted touch, yes. But if you want a more complete, flavorful and visually appealing result, the oven is the best option.
A useful tip if you use the microwave: toast the toppings separately in a skillet before adding them to the cheese, that way you'll get an extra boost of flavor without much fuss (here, if I were writing this in a chat I'd give you a wink... It's a handy trick, right?!).
Whether baked or microwaved, I hope you enjoy these recipes! Making Camembert in a mini-casserole is so easy and always turns out so well that it should already be a classic for appetizers and dinners! Which Camembert recipe do you usually follow?
