Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Ham, Swiss, and Honey-Butter Drizzle
Updated Dec 13, 2024
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Hosting brunch just got easier with my Croissant Breakfast Casserole! Flaky croissants, sweet, thinly sliced ham, and a blend of Swiss and Parmesan cheeses come together in a baking dish, soaked in a creamy egg and heavy cream custard. Punctuated with an herb and honey butter drizzle, this most delicious casserole is perfect for lazy weekends and holiday brunches. It’s a decadent dish that serves 8 hungry guests with ease! (I’ve made it more than once, so I’ve basically perfected it!)
I enjoy hosting big brunch gatherings, and this flaky Croissant Breakfast Casserole makes mornings a breeze. Loaded with buttery croissants, thinly sliced deli ham (or, in my case, leftover holiday ham!), and a generous amount of cheese (I’ve gone with a mix of Swiss and freshly grated aged Parmesan), it’s the perfect savory breakfast with just a hint of sweet, thanks to an herby honey butter drizzle. Yup, that’s the OMG bell sounding off in your head right now!
Whether you’re hosting brunch for a crowd or just yourself, this mouthwatering breakfast casserole makes it easy! With minimal prep time, it’s a lazy cook’s dream come true. Tender, flaky croissants, oven-crisped ham, and a delightful mix of Swiss and Parmesan cheeses are nestled in a pretty pan with a creamy custard of eggs, herbs, Dijon, and heavy cream. Serve it up with a bowl of mixed berries or fresh fruit, and BAM, you’ve got breakfast! Perfect for a slow Sunday morning or a special holiday brunch, this indulgent dish effortlessly serves eight hungry guests with a burst of sweet and savory flavors in every bite. Trust me, you’ll be making this one again and again!
Making this croissant breakfast casserole for yourself is a breeze, offering a stress-free way to treat yourself to a luxurious brunch at home. Plus, the ability to conveniently freeze leftover portions or use them for meal prep throughout the week adds another layer of appeal, making mornings easier and more enjoyable. Whether it’s a quick reheat for a weekday breakfast or a leisurely brunch with friends, this casserole is a versatile addition to your meal-planning toolkit.
Croissants are torn and layered with ham and two cheeses, then baked in a rich custard of eggs, Dijon, and heavy cream. After baking, drizzle a warm honey butter mixture with herbs over the casserole to enhance its flavors. My method for baked home fries perfectly complements this casserole. You can adapt the method by excluding the eggs and toast, focusing solely on the home fries (and sausages if desired), while maintaining the original baking time.
Table of Contents
- Why This Breakfast Bake Checks All the Boxes
- Here’s What You’ll Taste in This Dish
- Ingredients for A Croissant Casserole
- A Buying Guide for the Ham and Cheeses
- Recipe Shortcuts
- Ingredient Notes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Instructions for This Croissant Casserole
- Recipe Tip
- How to Serve
- Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
- More Brunch-y Deliciousness!
- Easy And Delicious Croissant Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why This Breakfast Bake Checks All the Boxes
· Delightful Aromas – Wake up to the tantalizing aromas of this flavorful and hearty breakfast casserole.
· Complements Other Breakfast Foods – This casserole pairs perfectly with various sides, from crispy bacon to fresh berries.
· Sweet and Savory Balance – The herby honey butter drizzle adds a perfect touch of sweetness to complement the savory flavors.
· Versatile Dish – Perfect for lazy weekends, holiday gatherings, and delightful brunches with friends and family.
Here’s What You’ll Taste in This Dish
Overall, it’s a delicious mix of sweet, savory, and creamy with just the right amount of richness and balance.
- Buttery croissants – bring a soft, slightly sweet, and flaky base.
- Crispy ham – adds a savory, slightly salty element.
- Swiss cheese – offers a mild, nutty richness.
- Aged Parmesan complements the Swiss with a unique sharp and savory kick.
- Honey butter drizzle – provides a subtle sweetness with a tangy, herby bite, enhancing the savory flavors.
- The Custard made with eggs, Dijon, heavy cream, and herbs – gives the dish a creamy, smooth texture with a hint of earthiness.
Ingredients for A Croissant Casserole
Because this casserole relies on a handful of simple ingredients, the quality of the croissants is key. What I am about to say may surprise you but choose buttery day-old croissants for the best texture and flavor. Day-old ensures the texture will not collapse beneath the custard, ensuring your casserole is as indulgent as it is delicious. And don’t feel the need to spend out for bakery croissants – packaged grocery croissants are perfect for this dish!
A Buying Guide for the Ham and Cheeses
When buying ham for this recipe, you can either pick up a quality deli ham or use leftover holiday ham for convenience. Many delis offer unique flavored hams, such as rosemary, honey, or even smoked varieties, which can add extra depth and complexity to the dish. As for the cheeses, Swiss cheese can be any variety you prefer, but opting for a high-quality alpine Swiss will enhance the casserole with a creamy, nutty flavor. Pair that with freshly grated Parmesan for a sharp, savory kick, and you’ll have a perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
Recipe Shortcuts
Assemble the casserole the night before: Prepare the casserole up to the point of baking and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, just pop it in the oven and bake.
Ingredient Notes
Croissants – For this recipe, you don’t need fancy French bakery croissants; grab a package from the grocery store, day-old being optimal.
Ham – When available, opt for a flavored ham, folding a single slice in half and then rolling it into a rosette shape for a lovely touch.
Swiss and Parmesan Cheeses – Buy quality. Both melt beautifully in the casserole.
Rosemary and Thyme – Fresh herbs work in this dish whereas dried herbs not so much.
Honey – Introduces ‘sweet’ to sweet and savory.
Substitutions and Variations
- I’ve tested this recipe many, many times and can say with certainty that Gruyere cheese works well in place of Swiss if preferred. For that matter, sharp cheddar cheese is lovely, too.
- Swapping out croissants for Challah or brioche works well.
- I have also gone meatless on occasion, stuffing halved mushrooms, green onions, fresh spinach, and olives in and around bite-size pieces of croissant.
- Swap out fresh sage for the rosemary and thyme. Really, it’s equally as tasty.
- I also doubled this recipe for a baby shower once, using turkey in lieu of ham and cream cheese slices instead of hard cheese.
Instructions for This Croissant Casserole
Scroll down for the full printable recipe or stick around for the step-by-step breakdown with photos to walk you through every delicious detail.
Gather all of your ingredients and set them out so they begin to come to room temperature ensuring a quick and even baking experience.
Step 1 – Prep Some Croissants
Tear or slice the croissants into thirds or smaller. I do thirds to gauge ‘portion sizes’ but agree that tearing them looks more rustic and appetizing. I have no idea why…
Step 2 – Make A Custard
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish (or something comparable in size) using 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
To a large bowl, add 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Season the mixture with 1 teaspoon each of kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper and whisk again until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped herbs to the egg mixture (I’m using rosemary and thyme) and whisk again until silky.
Step 3 – Assemble and Bake
Dunk each piece of croissant into the egg custard before arranging them randomly in the prepared baking dish. Pour any remaining egg custard over the arranged croissants. Every little bit gets used.
Pinch the ham slices into bundles or fold and roll them into rosettes. Tuck them in between the croissants, followed by the Swiss cheese. Add whole rosemary leaves the same way, making the arrangement look pretty.
Sprinkle with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese. Bake the casserole for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the eggs are set.
Recipe Tip
Take your time when tucking in the ham rosettes, Swiss, and rosemary leaves – it emerges from your oven looking exactly like how it went in, so making it visually appealing is important!
Step 5 – Make an Herby Honey Butter
Warm equal parts (1/2 cup) unsalted butter and honey in a saucepan atop the stove. Stir together and stir in 1/2 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary and thyme. During the last 15 minutes of the bake, baste the honey butter over the top of the casserole like you would a glaze. Do this several times, allowing it to caramelize each time it’s basted and placed back into the oven.
Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving with remaining honey butter drizzled or tableside. Serve with a mélange of fresh blueberries, raspberries, or melon. Enjoy your sweet and savory croissant breakfast casserole!
How to Serve
This croissant breakfast casserole is a versatile star, fitting for lazy weekend mornings, holiday gatherings, Christmas morning celebrations, and delightful brunches with friends. It pairs perfectly with fresh berries, crispy bacon, sweet and savory breakfast potatoes, and a generous serving of freshly brewed coffee and orange juice. For an extra touch of sophistication, consider serving this delectable casserole with a crisp mimosa or a light beer, perfectly complementing its rich and flavorful profile.
Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
This dish may be made ahead. Cover the dish with foil and let it sit in the refrigerator by several hours or overnight if prepared beforehand. When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Resume the recipe instructions and cook time.
Wrap leftovers tightly with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven preheated to 350F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
To freeze, allow to cool completely, then wrap tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply place the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, bake the casserole at 350F for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through.
Easy And Delicious Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 6-8 croissants, day old
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons rosemary, fresh; 1 tbsp minced, 1 tbsp intact leaves
- 1 tablespoon thyme, fresh; minced
- 12 slices deli ham
- 12 1-ounce pieces Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved from a large block
For the Herby Honey Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon thyme and rosemary, fresh
Instructions
For the Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish using 1 tablespoon of butter. Microwave 6 to 8 croissants for 15 to 20 seconds; set aside.1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 6-8 croissants
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, heavy cream, and Dijon, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. Add chopped herbs and whisk again until light in color and silky.4 large eggs, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons rosemary, 1 tablespoon thyme
- Tear the croissants into thirds. Dunk each (now cooled) piece into the egg custard. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Pour any remaining egg custard over the croissants.
- Pinch the ham slices into bundles or fold and roll them into rosettes. Tuck them in between the croissants, followed by the Swiss cheese. Add whole rosemary leaves the same way.12 slices deli ham, 12 1-ounce pieces Swiss cheese
- Sprinkle with freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese. Bake the casserole for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the eggs are set.1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- Warm equal parts unsalted butter and honey in a saucepan atop the stove. Stir together and stir in fresh minced rosemary and thyme. During the last 15 minutes of the bake, baste the honey butter over the top of the casserole like you would a glaze. Do this several times, allowing it to caramelize each time it's basted and placed back into the oven.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup honey, 1 tablespoon thyme and rosemary
- Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving with remaining honey butter drizzled or tableside.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Half and half, whole milk, or 2% milk will work in this recipe.
Yes, you can use bread as a substitute for croissants, but keep in mind that the texture and flavor will be different. Croissants add a buttery and flaky texture to the casserole, so using bread will result in a less rich dish. Opt for day old baguette, challah, or sourdough.
Yes, you can prepare the croissant breakfast casserole the night before, cover with foil, and refrigerate it.