There’s something utterly irresistible about the warm, buttery layers of croissants soaking up a rich, savory custard with melty cheese and ham. This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe offers that perfect blend of sweet and salty, comfy and fancy — a real crowd-pleaser that’s just as good for brunch or a cozy dinner.

The image shows a close-up of a flaky, golden-brown pastry with several layers of light, crispy crust and a soft, fluffy inside. Inside the pastry, there are visible slices of pinkish meat and melted cheese giving a creamy texture. On top of the pastry, there is a thick layer of red jam with visible fruit bits. The pastry is dusted lightly with white powdered sugar. The dish is served on a white plate with some fresh green herbs placed beside it. The background is a white marbled surface with another plate and a jar blurred behind. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe is one of my all-time favorites when I want something flavorful but effortless. I love how the croissants soak up the custard overnight, making each bite extra tender and packed with gooey cheese and savory ham goodness.

Hands-off prepping: Once you mix it, you just let it soak and bake—perfect for busy mornings.
Balance of flavors: The maple syrup adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the savory ham and Swiss cheese.
Make ahead friendly: You can assemble the night before and bake fresh the next day.
Stretchy and filling: Feeds a crowd beautifully and pleases both kids and adults.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered bread pudding made from torn croissant pieces on top, creating a golden, flaky texture with visible puffed layers. Mixed throughout are slices of pink ham and melted cheese that gives a creamy, slightly browned surface. The inside layers of the pudding reveal soft, soaked bread with ham pieces embedded, showing a mix of light cream and pink colors. The dish is set on a white marbled surface with a green cloth napkin partially visible on the right side. A portion of the pudding has been removed from the front corner, revealing the moist, textured inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe plays a special role—from the flaky croissants to the gooey Swiss cheese—all working together to create layers of texture and rich flavor that you’ll love waking up to.

Flat lay of eight large golden croissants cut into cubes in a simple white ceramic bowl, thinly sliced pink Black Forest ham neatly arranged next to the croissants in a white bowl, a small white bowl filled with pale yellow shredded Swiss cheese, eight whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with creamy half and half, a small white bowl of amber maple syrup, a small white bowl containing fine white salt, another small white bowl with pale yellow mustard powder, a small white bowl with white garlic powder, a small white bowl of ground white pepper, a small white bowl of bright red raspberry jam, and a white ceramic plate dusted lightly with powdered sugar, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Croissants: Day-old croissants work best because they soak up the custard without turning mushy.
Black Forest deli ham: Adds smoky, savory notes that contrast beautifully with the subtle Swiss cheese.
Swiss cheese: Its nuttiness melts perfectly into the custard.
Eggs: The base of the custard binding everything together.
Half and half: Adds creaminess without being too heavy.
Mustard powder and garlic powder: These seasonings give a subtle depth and warmth.
White ground pepper: Gentle heat that keeps flavors bright.
Maple syrup: A sweet hint that balances the savory ingredients perfectly.
Powdered sugar and raspberry jam (for topping): These add a fun, sweet finish to each serving.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tweak this Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe depending on the occasion—sometimes adding a little extra cheese or swapping in a spicy mustard for a bit more kick. Feel free to experiment, it’s surprisingly forgiving!

Variation: I once swapped Swiss for Gruyère and loved the nuttier, slightly earthier notes it gave—delicious for grown-up brunches.
Vegetarian option: Try replacing the ham with sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a meat-free twist.
Seasonal tweaks: Add fresh herbs like thyme or chives into the custard to brighten it up in springtime.
Spice it up: A dash of cayenne pepper adds a subtle warmth if you like it spicy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe

Step 1: Cube Those Croissants Just Right

I take 8 large croissants, preferably left out overnight so they’re a bit stale but still soft, and cut them into roughly 1 to 1.5 inch cubes. This size helps them soak up the custard without falling apart completely—giving you a perfect balance of soft and slightly crispy in the final bake.

Step 2: Mix In Ham and Cheese

Chop around 12 ounces of Black Forest deli ham and toss it with the croissant cubes along with 8 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese. Make sure to break up any ham layers stuck together—that way every bite has some ham surrounded by gooey cheese and buttery croissant.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Custard

In a separate bowl, beat 8 large eggs well. Then stir in half a cup of half and half, ⅓ cup of maple syrup, and season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon mustard powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon white ground pepper. I love how the maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness to contrast the savory.

Step 4: Assemble and Soak

Pour your croissant, ham, and cheese mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, then pour the egg custard evenly over the top. If you want an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle some additional maple syrup over the top. Cover tightly with foil and let it soak for at least 20 minutes while your oven preheats to 350°F.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake covered for 20 minutes, then remove the foil, rotate the pan halfway through, and bake another 20-25 minutes uncovered. Look for a golden-brown top that's puffed and toasted yet still soft inside. The smell alone will be worth the wait!

Step 6: Finish with a Sweet Touch

Once out of the oven, dust with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry jam and extra maple syrup on the side. It’s a little sweet surprise with each bite that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Top Tip

Having made this dish countless times, these tips have really made a difference for me in getting that perfect texture and balance between savory and sweet.

Use day-old croissants: Fresh croissants are too soft and will turn mushy, but stale ones soak the custard beautifully.
Don’t skip the soaking time: Letting the mixture rest before baking allows the croissants to fully absorb the custard for richer flavor and perfect custardy texture.
Even layering: Toss ham, cheese, and croissants well so each forkful is deliciously balanced.
Keep an eye on the bake: If the top browns too quickly after removing the foil, cover loosely with foil again to avoid burning.

How to Serve Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe

Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting a little powdered sugar on top and serving with a side of raspberry jam for that sweet-tart burst. Sometimes I add fresh chives for color and a mild oniony punch—it looks pretty and tastes fresh.

Side Dishes

For sides, a simple fresh fruit salad pairs wonderfully, cutting through the richness. Lightly dressed mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette or crispy roasted potatoes are also excellent if you want something more savory on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch party, I’ve served this bake straight in a beautiful ceramic dish with a bunch of fresh herbs sprinkled on top. You could also cut it into smaller squares for easy finger food at casual gatherings—people love how fancy but approachable it feels!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover casserole tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats beautifully, retaining its creamy custard and melty cheese texture without drying out.

Freezing

This bake freezes well too—I recommend assembling it fully, freezing overnight uncovered, then wrapping tightly with foil or plastic wrap. You can thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh, though it may need a few extra minutes in the oven.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven until heated through (usually 15-20 minutes). This method keeps it moist and prevents the top from burning or getting too crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh croissants instead of day-old ones?

Fresh croissants tend to get too soggy when soaked in the custard and won’t hold the bake’s structure as well. Using day-old croissants is key to getting that perfect custardy but slightly firm texture.

Can I make the Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe the night before?

Absolutely! In fact, letting it soak overnight enhances the flavors. Just assemble, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning following the recipe instructions.

What’s the best cheese to use?

Swiss cheese is classic because it melts well and has a nice nutty flavor. But you can also try Gruyère, cheddar, or a mix—just make sure it melts smoothly and complements the ham.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, you can freeze it before baking. Assemble the casserole, cover it well with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze. When you want to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—just add some extra baking time if needed.

Final Thoughts

This Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake Recipe is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s easy to pull together, yet feels special enough to serve guests or make extra for leftovers that taste just as good the next day. Give it a try—I promise you’ll love how it brings together sweet, savory, and flaky in every bite.