Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
Easy, crispy baked ham and cheese croissants are the ultimate quick breakfast or brunch treat. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the flakiest layers and gooiest cheese center. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try these Pineapple Upside Down Sugar Cookies for dessert and Pair these with Mouthwatering Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes for a complete meal.
Why This Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, flaky layers that shatter with every bite
- Gooey cheese center that pulls apart perfectly
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than store-bought or takeout croissants
What You'll Need for Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz thinly sliced ham
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Optional: Poppy seeds, for sprinkling
- Optional: Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
📝 Ingredient Notes
- puff pastry: Use store-bought frozen puff pastry for ease.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Pizza Cutter — Makes quick work of slicing pastry and ham. → See on Amazon
- Baking Sheet — Ensures even baking and easy transfer of croissants. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
- Prepare the pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out slightly to seal any cracks.
- Add the ham and cheese: Cut the pastry into 6 equal rectangles. Place a slice of ham and a generous pinch of cheese onto each rectangle. Season with salt and pepper.
- Form the croissants: Fold the pastry over the ham and cheese, pressing the edges to seal. Place the croissants seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds (optional).
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
- Pro Tip: For extra flaky layers, chill the shaped croissants in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
- Common mistake and fix: If your croissants aren't puffing up, make sure your oven is hot enough and that you're using store-bought puff pastry.
- Pro Tip: For a crispier crust, brush the croissants with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds just before baking.
- Pro Tip: To prevent soggy bottoms, make sure your baking sheet is lined with parchment paper.
Storing & Reheating Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover croissants in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the shaped croissants up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
Freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat croissants in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat croissants in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, but be careful not to make them soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and add more cheese or vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite melting cheese, like Gouda or Mozzarella.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the croissants up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your croissants aren't puffing up, make sure your oven is hot enough and that you're using store-bought puff pastry.
Want to level up this recipe?
Parchment Paper — Prevents the croissants from sticking and ensures easy cleanup. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz thinly sliced ham
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Poppy seeds, for sprinkling
- Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out slightly to seal any cracks.
- Add the ham and cheese: Cut the pastry into 6 equal rectangles. Place a slice of ham and a generous pinch of cheese onto each rectangle. Season with salt and pepper.
- Form the croissants: Fold the pastry over the ham and cheese, pressing the edges to seal. Place the croissants seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds (optional).
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and add more cheese or vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite melting cheese, like Gouda or Mozzarella.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the croissants up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your croissants aren't puffing up, make sure your oven is hot enough and that you're using store-bought puff pastry.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover croissants in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat croissants in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat croissants in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, but be careful not to make them soggy.
- Make ahead: You can make the shaped croissants up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 17g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the croissants up to 1 day ahead. Store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
Make sure your oven is hot enough and that you're using store-bought puff pastry. Also, try chilling the shaped croissants in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
Yes, you can freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
These croissants are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of fresh fruit or a simple green salad.
While homemade puff pastry is delicious, it's more prone to not puffing up. For the best results, use store-bought puff pastry.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants for Breakfast or Brunch and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
