Baked Ham & Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole 

There’s just something about a cozy breakfast casserole that makes mornings feel a little more special, and the Baked Ham & Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole is exactly that kind of dish.  It has flaky, buttery croissants layered with savory ham, melty cheese, and a rich, egg custard.  It’s simple, comforting, and feels a little fancy without any extra effort.  

I love prepping it the night before and in the morning letting the oven do the work while everyone slowly wakes up.  It’s perfect for a laid-back weekend, but it really shines for the holidays like Easter or Mother’s Day, when you want something special, but still easy.  And if you’re feeling a little extra, that sweet and savory finish with powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup gives it that “wait…this is amazing” moment every time.  

​Ingredients for this Ham and Cheese Croissant Casserole:

Croissants

6-8 medium-sized croissants.  Pick up croissants from your favorite local bakery or the grocery store.  Sometimes I find them at Trader Joe’s as well. They don’t need to be fresh; in fact, a day-old and a little dry is better.  You will need to cut or tear them in half.  The number of croissants needed varies depending on the size you are using.  Some croissants are on the larger size, while others can be a bit small.  You need enough so that the croissants fill the baking dish.  

Eggs

6  large eggs.

Heavy Cream

1 cup of heavy cream.  Usually called heavy whipping cream.  You can also substitute half and half.  

Ham  

10 large pieces of ham.  I like to use deli ham from my local grocery store.  You can get whatever kind you like. I like either a smoked ham or a honey ham.  You will be roughly slicing each piece into thirds.  This is also a great way to use up any leftover ham from a recent holiday.  Maybe you had ham for Christmas Eve and you could make this for breakfast on Christmas morning!  

Cheese

2 cups of sharp white cheddar cheese.  Any kind of cheese you like will work in this recipe.  I love a sharp white cheddar or yellow cheddar.  I also really like Swiss cheese and Gruyere cheese.  I recommend freshly grating the cheese yourself rather than buying the pre-shredded kind.  I find that it melts a little better.  That being said, I do like the pre-grated Swiss and Gruyere cheese from Trader Joe’s.  

Dijon Mustard

1 1/2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard

Spices

• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

For Serving:

• Powdered sugar, optional for dusting
• Maple syrup or honey drizzle can be served on the side. 
• Fruit preserves, like strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry, can be served on the side.

Step-by-Step Instructions

STEP 1:  Prep the baking dish

Start by lightly spraying a 9×13-inch baking dish with a neutral cooking oil.  If you want to add a little extra flavor, go ahead and butter the dish instead; it adds a subtle richness that I love!

STEP 2:  Add the croissants

Cut or tear your croissants in half and arrange them in the casserole dish. Don’t worry about being too precise here, just make sure they fill the dish evenly so every bite gets that crispy goodness.  

STEP 3:  Layer in the ham

Roughly cut the ham slices into thirds and tuck it in and around the croissants. This helps distribute the flavor throughout the casserole so you get a little ham in every bite.  

STEP 4:  Sprinkle the cheese

Evenly scatter the shredded cheese over the top.  This will melt down into all the layers and create that golden bubbly finish everyone loves.  

STEP 5:  Make the custard

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper until everything is well combined and smooth.  

STEP 6:  Pour and soak

Pour egg mixture evenly over the croissants, ham, and cheese.  Take a moment to make sure all the croissants are getting coated so they can soak up all that flavor.  

STEP 7:  Chill

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least one hour.  If you have the time, letting it sit overnight is even better; it really allows the flavors to come together.

STEP 8:  Bring to room temp

If the casserole has been chilling overnight, let it sit out on the counter for about 30 minutes while your oven preheats to 350°F.  This helps it bake more evenly.  

STEP 9:  Bake covered

Place the covered casserole in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.  This helps everything cook through more slowly and gently.

STEP 10:  Remove the foil 

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top. 

STEP 11:  Rest and serve

Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.  For a fun, sweet-and-savory twist, dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup or preserves on the side-trust me, it’s so good!  

Whether you’re serving this on a cozy holiday morning or just want something a little extra special, this is one of those great recipes that always delivers.  With layers of buttery croissants, savory ham, and gooey cheese, it’s the kind of dish that brings the whole family to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds.  

More Recipes To Try!

Baked Pumpkin French Toast

Ham & Cheese Waffles Recipe 

Easy Breakfast Tacos Recipe

Easy Ham and Cheese Quiche Recipe