Make Ahead Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake
Butter, Salt & Cheese, Breakfast Of Champions
Make Ahead Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for holidays like Easter or any cozy weekend morning. Buttery croissants, savory ham, and melty cheese bake together in a rich egg custard for a dish that feels special but couldn’t be easier to prepare.
Breakfast on Easter Sunday has been a tradition for Mr. Tipsy and I since we first met. I always like to have a make-ahead casserole ready so I can just pop it in the oven while I sip my coffee and get the Easter baskets together.
As you probably know, I spend a lot of time at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and one thing I always look forward to is a good ham and cheese croissant. They’re buttery, cheesy, salty, and just so good, so I wanted to recreate those flavors at home in an easy brunch bake.
When I spotted those four-packs of croissants at the grocery store, it clicked. I figured I could turn them into a simple egg bake, and that’s exactly how this recipe came to life. It is delicious!
Croissants Are The More The Merrier
My recipe calls for 4 to 6 croissants, depending on the size. Mine were large, and I actually used eight because I wanted those crispy, golden pieces on top, which you’ll see in the photo.
If you prefer it more soft and custardy with less crunch, stick with 4 to 6 croissants. The extra pieces on top don’t soak up as much of the egg mixture, so they bake up buttery and toasted, which I personally love.
My Favorite Ham
My favorite ham to use is Krakus ham, which is a Polish-style ham that’s pretty popular around Chicago. You can use any ham you like, but I prefer to get this one shaved and then cut it into strips. I love this ham, it is not a sponsored post. I just have a lot of Krakus Ham Recipes here on my site.
This gives you more whole pieces of ham throughout the bake, and the bits that stick out on top get slightly crispy, which I love. It also reminds me more of the ham and cheese croissant sandwiches I get at Disney, but diced ham works just fine too if that’s what you have.
Two Cheeses If You Please
You can use any cheese you like in this recipe. Swiss cheese and Provolone cheese are what I used, because it reminds me most of the ham and cheese croissant sandwiches I love at Disney, but feel free to use whatever you prefer.
I do highly recommend shredding your own cheese if possible, as it melts better and gives you a smoother, creamier texture throughout the bake. I also sometimes cut thinly sliced deli cheese into cubs and tuck them into the casserole pockets so you have big bites of melted cheese.
Make Ahead Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake
Buttery croissants are layered with savory ham and melty cheese, then soaked in a simple egg custard and baked until golden and fluffy. This easy make-ahead brunch bake feels fancy but comes together with minimal effort, making it perfect for holidays or a cozy weekend.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 large croissants, torn into large pieces
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups diced ham
- 2 to 3 cups shredded or sliced cheese (Swiss, Gruyere, cheddar, provolone or a mix)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk or half and half
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder *optional
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried chives
- 4 tablespoons of butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Add the croissant pieces to the baking dish, spreading them out evenly. Sprinkle the diced ham and cheese over the croissants, making sure everything is well distributed. I use shaved Krakus ham and sort of slightly roll it up so that it doesn't dry out when it bakes.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder and dried chives until fully combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the croissants, ham, and cheese. Gently press everything down so the croissants absorb the liquid. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then press down again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, remove from the fridge while the oven preheats. Let this sit out until room temperature. Cut the butter into little bits and place all over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Let the bake rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so it can firm up.
- Notes
Slightly stale croissants work best because they absorb the custard better. - A mix of cheeses adds the best flavor and texture.
- Do not skip the resting time after baking, this helps everything set properly.