This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is the answer to your search for the perfect, crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch. Imagine buttery, flaky croissants soaked in a savory egg custard, layered with savory diced ham and melted, gooey cheese, then baked to golden-brown perfection. It’s an incredibly delicious and satisfying dish that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to assemble. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, looking for a special weekend breakfast, or need a comforting make-ahead meal, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
We’re transforming simple ingredients into an elegant, irresistible casserole. The tops of the croissants get delightfully crispy, while the layers underneath become a rich, tender, bread-pudding-like texture. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is a Winner
You’re going to absolutely fall in love with this recipe. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any brunch, combining classic flavors in a wonderfully textured dish. It’s incredibly versatile, working just as well for a leisurely Sunday morning as it does for a holiday gathering. The best part? You can prepare it the night before, making your morning completely stress-free. Just pop it in the oven and enjoy the amazing aroma as it bakes.
- Incredibly Easy: With minimal prep time, this dish is simple enough for even beginner cooks to master.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The classic combination of ham, cheese, and croissants is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead: Assemble it the night before for a completely hands-off morning. The overnight soak actually makes it even better!
- Wonderfully Versatile: Easily customizable with different cheeses, meats, or veggies.
The Key Ingredients for Success
The magic of this Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake lies in its simple yet high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the final, delicious product.
- Croissants: The star of the show. Day-old or slightly stale croissants work best as they absorb the custard without becoming overly soggy. If you only have fresh ones, simply slice them and let them sit out for a few hours.
- Ham: Use a good quality cooked ham. Diced ham steak, leftover holiday ham, or thick-cut deli ham all work beautifully. You want pieces that are substantial enough to provide flavor and texture in every bite.
- Cheese: A great melting cheese is key. Gruyère is my top choice for its nutty, savory flavor that perfectly complements the ham. Sharp cheddar, Swiss, or a combination will also be delicious.
- The Custard: This is the rich, savory mixture that brings everything together. We use a simple blend of eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream for a super luscious texture. A touch of Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper provides the perfect flavor foundation.
How to Make the Perfect Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless, delicious breakfast casserole that will impress everyone at your table.
Step 1: Prepare the Croissants and Casserole Dish
First, grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter. Tear your croissants into large, bite-sized pieces. You want them to be rustic and irregular, which creates wonderful texture. Spread half of the croissant pieces evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. This first layer will soak up all the delicious custard.
Step 2: Layer the Ham and Cheese
Sprinkle half of your diced ham and half of your shredded cheese over the croissant layer. This ensures that every bite is packed with savory goodness. Then, top this with the remaining croissant pieces, creating the second layer. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the ham and cheese over the top.
Step 3: Whisk the Egg Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You want the egg yolks to be fully broken up and integrated into the liquids. This savory custard is what will bind the entire Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake together.
Step 4: Assemble and Soak
Carefully and evenly pour the egg custard mixture over the layered croissants, ham, and cheese. Gently press down on the top layer of croissants with a spatula to help them absorb the liquid. For the best results, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This soaking period is crucial for achieving that perfect, tender texture and preventing a soggy bottom.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is beautifully golden brown and bubbly. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set, making it easier to slice and serve.
Pro-Tips for a Flawless Breakfast Casserole
Want to make sure your Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is absolutely perfect? Follow these expert tips.
- Use Stale Croissants: This is the most important tip! Stale, dry croissants act like sponges, soaking up the custard beautifully without turning to mush.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the gooiest, most delicious cheese pull, buy a block and shred it yourself.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking is essential. It allows the custard to fully set, so your slices hold their shape.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. For another savory breakfast idea, check out our Cottage Cheese and Egg Casserole.
- Add Veggies: Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers would be a wonderful addition. Just be sure to cook them first to remove excess moisture.
- Switch the Meat: Cooked and crumbled sausage, crispy bacon, or even shredded chicken would work well in place of ham. Our Italian chicken sausage would be a great option.
- Herbaceous Flavors: Add fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or thyme to the egg mixture for a fresh, aromatic lift.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This recipe is a dream for meal planners. You can assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator. The next morning, all you have to do is bake it. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through.
What to Serve with Your Croissant Bake
This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is a hearty, all-in-one meal, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette, a simple fruit salad, or even a healthy yogurt and granola bowl can round out the meal perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. The next morning, simply bake as directed.
The two most important steps are to use stale croissants and to allow the assembled casserole to soak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This gives the croissants time to properly absorb the custard, which prevents a soggy bottom.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick meal, or place the casserole back in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Stale or day-old croissants are highly recommended. They are drier and will soak up the egg custard much better without becoming mushy, resulting in the perfect texture for your bake.
A good melting cheese with a robust flavor is best. We recommend Gruyère for its nutty taste that pairs perfectly with ham. Sharp cheddar, Swiss cheese, or a blend of your favorites also work wonderfully.
The Ultimate Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe
Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake (The Ultimate Easy Brunch Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Place half of the torn croissant pieces in an even layer on the bottom of the dish.
- Sprinkle half of the diced ham and half of the shredded cheese over the croissants. Top with the remaining croissant pieces, followed by the rest of the ham and cheese.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the croissants to help them absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dish and bake for 35-45 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the croissant bake rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the casserole set.
Notes
Shred your own cheese from a block for the best melting results.
Don't skip the refrigeration time; it allows the custard to fully soak into the croissants, creating the perfect texture.
Share This Delicious Recipe!
I hope you love this Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake as much as I do! It’s a true comfort food classic that’s perfect for any occasion. If you make it, I would love to see it! Please share your creations and tag me. For more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow me on Pinterest!
