Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake

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Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake out the oven

This ham and cheese croissant bake is your go-to recipe when you need to feed a crowd with minimal effort. The buttery croissants puff up in the oven, becoming wonderfully light and airy, while the savoury ham and melted cheese add unbeatable flavour. It’s decadent, so delicious, and sure to be a hit at your next breakfast, brunch, or casual lunch. Plus, it’s one of those dishes that looks way fancier than it is—perfect for impressing guests with very little fuss.

I love making savoury bread or croissant bakes. The recipe I did for my first book is one I still love today. Here I have kept the flavours quite classic allowing the Kerrygold Mature Cheddar to shine through.

Ingredeints laid out for an easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake recipe

What You Will Need to Make This Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake

First things first, let’s gather everything you need. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

  • Croissants: Stale croissants work best here! They soak up all the deliciousness without turning mushy.
  • Butter: We’re using Kerrygold salted butter for that extra creamy richness.
  • Leeks and Onions: When softened in butter with thyme, they add a sweet, savoury flavour base that makes this bake delicious. If you leave out the vegetables be sure to keep the thyme in the recipe though.
  • Fresh Herbs: Thyme and chives add a pop of freshness to balance the dish’s richness.
  • Eggs, Cream, and Milk: These create the custard that binds everything together, giving that signature souffle-like texture.
  • Ham and Cheese: Thinly sliced ham and mature cheddar are a classic combo that never fails.

All these simple ingredients come together to make a stunning croissant bake that’s as delicious as it is easy to whip up!

sliced croissants for a ham & cheese breakfast croissant bake recipe
Sliced ham for a ham & cheese croissant casserol recip

How to Make This Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake

Now, let’s walk through the steps to make this mouthwatering croissant bake. Trust me, it’s easier than it sounds.

  1. Prep Your Croissants: If they aren’t stale, dry them in a low oven for a few minutes. This will help them absorb all that creamy custard goodness without getting soggy.
  2. Sauté the Veggies: Melt the butter in a pan, then sauté the leeks and onions until soft and fragrant. This adds a sweet depth of flavour to the dish.
  3. Make the Custard: Whisk together the eggs, Dijon mustard, cream, milk, and chives until smooth. This is the heart of the dish and gives it that rich, fluffy texture.
  4. Layer It Up: Spread half the sautéed leeks and onions in the casserole dish, then add half of the soaked croissants. Tuck in the ham slices, sprinkle with cheese, and repeat the layers.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake until golden and puffed, then uncover for the final few minutes to get that gorgeous golden top.

And that’s it—an impressive, flavorful bake that requires minimal effort!

Layering a ham & cheese croissant bake recipe
A ham & cheese croissant bake before going into the oven

FAQ’s for This Recipe

Can I make this bake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the bake the night before and refrigerate it until you can pop it in the oven. Just bring it to room temperature before baking.

What if I don’t have stale croissants?
No worries! Fresh croissants work fine—just dry them out in a low oven for about 10 minutes to mimic that slightly stale texture.

How do I know when it’s done?
The bake should be golden brown on top and puffed up. A knife inserted in the centre should come out clean, showing the custard is fully set.

Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake recipe

Substitutions & Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Here are a few ideas for switching it up:

  • No ham? No problem! You can swap it for cooked bacon, sausage, or prosciutto.
  • Cheese swap: Try Gruyère, parmesan or any other hard cheese, but mature Cheddar is the best.
  • Add some veggies: Want to add more greens? Toss in some sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or even bell peppers.
  • Leave out the onions and leeks: If you prefer you can skip this step. The croissant bake will still be very delicious.
  • Gluten-free option: If you’re gluten-free, swap the croissants for gluten-free bread or rolls. The bake will still be just as delicious!
A pan of sauteed onions and leeks for a ham & cheese croissant bake recipe

Storage Instructions

In the unlikely event that you have any leftovers, here’s how to store them:

  • Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
  • Freezer: You can freeze this bake, too! Just wrap it tightly in foil and place it in a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.

This easy ham and cheese croissant bake will go straight into my top brunch recipe repertoire and one of the most delicious recipes I have made this year.

Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake recipe

Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake recipe

A super easy and totally delicious ham & cheese croissant bake with leek, onions and thyme.
Print Recipe
Easy Ham & Cheese Croissant Bake out the oven
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 – 8 croissants approx 450 grams preferably stale & cut into 4 pieces
  • 30 grams Kerrygold salted butter
  • 1 cup of thinly sliced leeks white and light green parts approx 1 medium
  • 1 cup onion chopped about 1 medium
  • 1 Tbsp thyme leaves removed from the stalk and roughly chopped
  • 3 large free-range eggs
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 250 ml/1 cup whipping cream
  • 310 ml / 1 ¼ cups milk
  • 1 Tbsp chopped chives and a few more for garnish (optional)
  • 150 grams thinly sliced ham cut in half
  • 1 cup Kerrygold Mature Cheddar grated

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Butter or spray a medium-sized casserole dish.
  • Cut the stale croissants into 4 pieces and leave them out overnight to dry further. If fresh, you can dry the slices in the oven at a low temperature for about 10 minutes.
  • Melt the butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and chopped onions, and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Dijon mustard, cream, milk, and chives until well combined.
  • Add half to three-quarters of the dried croissant pieces to the egg mixture and toss to coat. Allow them to soak in the liquid for about a minute.
  • Spread half the leek and onion mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish, then top with half the soaked croissants. Tuck the ham slices into the croissants, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the casserole. Sprinkle over the remaining leek and onion mixture and half the grated Cheddar.
  • Soak the remaining croissants and place them on top of the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining grated Cheddar on top. Pour any leftover egg and cream mixture evenly over the casserole.
  • Spray a piece of foil with cooking spray and cover the casserole, sprayed side down. Bake for 30–35 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for a further 10–15 minutes until golden brown and puffed up.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Servings: 6

*This post is proudly sponsored by Kerrygold South Africa

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