Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake

An easy make ahead breakfast bake the ham and cheese croissant bake is like a croque monsieur easy button. Made with flaky croissants, gruyere cheese, eggs, and ham, and baked to perfection its a fast way to impress.

This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake is the perfect easy Easter brunch recipe! Its also a great way to use up all that leftover ham!

The delicious breakfast casserole is perfect for any holiday morning or weekend brunch! Prep the night before and the next morning you have a perfect breakfast ready to go into the oven.

This is not your typical ham and cheddar breakfast bake. The ham, gruyere, and mustard are very reminiscent of Croque Monsieur which will always hold a special place in my heart.

I love recreating food memories. The taste and smell of food can be extraordinarily evocative. It brings back memories not just of eating the food itself but also of where we were and who we were with.

On my thirteenth birthday I was biking around Holland with my Opa and Uncle. We wound up at a little French bistro. It was across the street from a beautiful old church and I had my first ever Croque Monsiuere. I will never forget that trip and every time I taste Croque Monsiuere I am transported back to that little bistro. To enjoying a delicious meal on a beautiful afternoon with two of my favorite people.

One of my favorite things for Easter and Christmas is to have an easy make ahead breakfast casserole ready to go into the oven so I can be present with the kids instead of busy in the kitchen. I love to cook but I don’t want to miss them hunting for eggs all over the years Easter morning!

This cheesy croissant casserole is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Ingredients

Croissants: day-old croissants torn into thirds and toasted with butter. The toasted buttery croissants create the perfect base for this ham and cheese croissant bake. This is a great use for stale croissants!

Ham: Slices of ham are torn into pieces and tucked between the croissants.

Cheese: Any cheese you like will work. I like a gruyere blend and Swiss cheese is always a classic pairing with ham but I think a sharp cheddar cheese would be delicious as well!

Cream: we use a mix of heavy cream and milk to create the perfect egg base.

Eggs: can’t have a breakfast bake without eggs.

Dijon Mustard: a little dry mustard and nutmeg in the egg base gives this cheese croissant breakfast casserole croque monsieur vibes with a lot less work!

Seasoning: I like to add a little nutmeg and fresh thyme but you can add any seasoning you like with ham!

Everything bagel seasoning: a topping of everything bagel seasoning takes things to the next level. Poppy seeds, or sesame seeds work well too!

How to make a Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 9-inch baking pan or pie plate with melted butter or olive oil.

Arrange the torn croissants in the baking dish and brush lightly with melted butter. Transfer to the oven and bake 5-8 minutes, or until the croissants are lightly toasted.

In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, milk, eggs, mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Pour the egg mixture on top of the croissants. Tuck the torn ham slices between the croissant pieces.

Top evenly with shredded cheese and sprinkle with everything bagel spice.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, then continue baking for another 10-15 minutes. You want the croissants golden on top and the cheese to be melted.

To feed a crowd double the recipe and use a 9×13 casserole dish!

Quick Questions about Ham and Cheese Croissants

Can I use mini croissants?

You can use mini croissants just cut them in half instead of thirds!

What can I use instead of ham?

prosciutto or pre cooked bacon are also delicious in this recipe or you can skip the meat all together!