Description
Perfecting Ham Cheese Croissant takes zero fancy skills – just grab some flaky pastry, pile on salty ham slices, and sprinkle sharp cheese before a quick oven bake that brings delicious European cafe charm right to your kitchen counter.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Base:
- 6 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups diced ham
- 4 large croissants
Dairy & Cheese:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups milk
Seasonings & Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup diced bell peppers
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Rip 4 large croissants into bite-sized chunks, spreading them across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to create an even base for your breakfast casserole.
- Allow fresh croissants to air-dry for several hours, helping them better absorb the upcoming egg mixture.
- Scatter 1½ cups diced ham across the croissant pieces, ensuring uniform coverage of your base layer.
- Generously distribute 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese over the ham, creating a rich, melty topping.
- Whisk 6 large eggs, 1½ cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl until completely blended.
- Pour the egg mixture slowly over the croissants, ensuring every piece gets thoroughly coated with the liquid.
- Gently press down on the croissants to help them absorb the egg mixture more effectively.
- Refrigerate the casserole, covered with plastic wrap, for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
- Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing for the baking process.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center sets completely.
- Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps it maintain structural integrity when serving.
- Optional: Sprinkle chopped green onions or fresh parsley on top for added color and fresh flavor before serving warm.
Notes
- Selecting slightly stale croissants helps them soak up the egg mixture without becoming soggy, creating a perfect texture.
- Letting the casserole rest in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld and the croissants to fully absorb the liquid, making each bite more delicious.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use lean ham to reduce overall calories.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère or sharp cheddar to customize the flavor profile and make the dish your own.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg