Croissant Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake
This recipe was created as a way to use up a box of stale croissants. But, this dish turned out so good that we have made it again and again.
I love breakfast and am always trying new types of dishes to make for breakfast or brunch. This croissant breakfast bake super easy to make and every since I made it the first time, it has quickly become a favourite and a dish I enjoy making for family and friends.
What Makes This Breakfast Bake So Good?
- Complete Breakfast In One Dish! This has everything you need for a breakfast – eggs, milk, meat, croissants! You could add more stuff of course, but really, this is a full breakfast in one casserole.
- Croissants, Ham, Swiss Cheese – Need we say more!? The Swiss cheese is just perfect in this bake.
- Great For Holidays – This is perfect for those holiday weekends when you have family and friends over. The casserole will feed a crowd!
- Easy To Make – This is simply a ‘mix it all together’ and then bake it kind of dish.
- Make Ahead – Going along with this being great for holidays, I love having dishes that I get all ready early, before people come over.
Ingredient Notes
- Croissants – There are small and large croissants and any kind will work fine. I used traditional style buttery croissants that were medium in size.
- Ham – The ham has been cut into 1/4-1/2 inch cubes. You could also use ham lunchmeat that has been diced.
- Eggs – This breakfast bake has plenty of eggs that are soaked into the croissants.
- Milk – Lots of milk is used and whisked with the eggs.
- Swiss Cheese – The combination of ham and Swiss cheese is classic and used in recipes such as chicken cordon bleu.
- Green Onions – Along with the zing, the green of the onions, gives the casserole a nice visual pop of colour.
- Butter – This adds to the buttery flavour in the casserole. You could also use margarine if you prefer.
- Spices – A combination of salt and pepper to give the dish a light seasoning.
- Hot Sauce – Don’t think that this hot sauce is going to make this breakfast bake spicy. Just a couple of dashes are added to give a little zing. Feel free to add more if you like.
Expert Tip! This croissant breakfast bake is easy to alter. Switch up the ham with cooked breakfast sausage, bacon or other cooked meat. You could also change the Swiss cheese to cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack or others.
Croissants
There are different sizes of croissants, from large to small bite sized versions. They will all work great in this casserole. Cut the croissants into one inch cubes.
Expert Tip! This breakfast bake casserole is ideal for stale croissants. I bought a big box of them and they went stale quick. Adding them in this casserole was a perfect way use the croissants.
Grease The Baking Dish
Use the 2 tablespoons of softened butter to grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish. You could also using cooking spray if you prefer. This will help the breakfast bake come out of the dish easily.
Let The Croissants Soak
It is very important to let the croissants soak up the egg mixture as this creates a much more even and consistent casserole. Place the cubed croissants into a baking dish. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pour the egg mixture overtop the croissant. Gently fold the croissants to ensure that the egg mixture is all soaked up in the breading. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
Ham, Onions, Cheese, Butter, Oh My!
The next step is to add the remaining ingredients. Mix in the diced ham, green onions and grated Swiss cheese and melted butter. You want these ingredients to be evenly distributed in the soaked up croissants. Spread everything evenly across the baking dish.
How Long To Cook Breakfast Bake
Once everything is added and tossed into the baking dish, it is ready to go in the oven. Place, uncovered, in an oven that is preheated to 375F and bake for about 60 minutes. The casserole will rise and puff up as it bakes. It will brown on the tops and around the edges of the casserole. You may even see the butter bubbling around the edges. When it is finished baking, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
What To Serve With This Bake?
Since this has croissants, egg, milk, ham and cheese, this dish is pretty much a complete breakfast or brunch. It can easily be served on its own, but if you prefer to serve this as part of a larger meal, there are lots of options for sides. I like to serve this with hash browns or even store bought tater tots! I have also served this with Herb and Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Tex Mex Roasted Potatoes, Raisin Scones, Bacon and Spinach Frittata, Pecan Praline Monkey Bread,
Can You Make This Ahead?
This croissant breakfast bake is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare this the night before. Assemble everything right up to the point that it needs to go in the oven. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the fridge. It is ready to go into the oven the next morning and it will come out perfect!
How To Store Breakfast Casserole
This dish is delicious fresh out of the oven and is also amazing as leftovers. I like to cut them into squares and place them in a plastic container with a lid put them into the fridge. They are great for a good 2-3 days. You can reheat the individual portions in the microwave or toaster oven.
Other Great Breakfast Dishes
If you are looking for more breakfast recipes, then check out some of these dishes!
- Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole – I have made this dish for YEARS and, while we love it for a Christmas brunch, we also make it many times in the year.
- Baked Eggs in a Cast Iron Skillet – These eggs are baked over a bed of sautéed veggies. So good!
- Shakshuka – A traditional North African dish of poached eggs in stewed tomatoes with a delicious blend of spices.
- Bacon and Spinach Frittata –
Croissant Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter , softened
- 8 cups croissants , cubed
- 2 cups ham , cubed
- 8 green onions , sliced thinly
- 3 cups swiss cheese , grated
- 7 eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce
- 1/3 cup butter , melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Grease a 13"x9" baking dish with the 2tbsp softened butter.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and hot sauce.
- Place all the croissants, that have been cut into cubes, in the baking dish. Pour the egg mixture all over the croissants. Toss them so they are all coated. Let soak for about 5 minutes, mixing every couple minutes.
- Mix in the ham, green onions, Swiss cheese and melted butter. Spread the casserole so that it is evenly spread in the baking dish.
- Place in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 60 minutes. The casserole should rise and puff up as it bakes. The top should brown and crisp up.
- Take out of the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Per serving:
