Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, this ham and cheese croissant recipe is perfect for a quick breakfast or brunch. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the flakiest layers. This recipe is light and fresh, perfect for spring. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Lemon Raspberry Bars and High Protein Pancake Muffins.
Why This Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with store-bought dough
- Perfect for a quick breakfast or brunch
- Crispy exterior with a soft, cheesy interior
What You'll Need for Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Puff pastry dough
- Ham
- Cheddar cheese
- Egg wash
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Poppy seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Puff pastry dough: You can use store-bought or homemade dough.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Pizza cutter — Makes cutting dough easy and precise → See on Amazon
- Pastry brush — Ensures even egg wash application → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
- Prepare the dough: Thaw puff pastry dough according to package instructions. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
- Add fillings: Cut the dough into 6 equal rectangles. Place a slice of ham and a generous amount of shredded cheese on each rectangle.
- Fold and seal: Fold the dough over the fillings to create a triangle. Press the edges to seal. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Chill and brush: Chill the folded dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overfilling the croissants with ham and cheese to prevent them from leaking during baking.
- Pro tip: For extra flakiness, brush the dough with melted butter before adding the fillings.
- Pro tip: To make these ahead, prepare the croissants up to the egg wash step, then freeze. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the croissants up to the egg wash step and refrigerate overnight.
Freezing Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, but be careful as the filling may be very hot.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, use a combination of cheeses such as cheddar and Swiss.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham with cooked bacon or turkey.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the croissants up to the egg wash step, then refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed the next morning.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your croissants are browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Want to level up this recipe?
Baking sheet — Ensures even baking and easy cleanup → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Puff pastry dough
- Ham
- Cheddar cheese
- Egg wash
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Thaw puff pastry dough according to package instructions. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
- Add fillings: Cut the dough into 6 equal rectangles. Place a slice of ham and a generous amount of shredded cheese on each rectangle.
- Fold and seal: Fold the dough over the fillings to create a triangle. Press the edges to seal. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Chill and brush: Chill the folded dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, use a combination of cheeses such as cheddar and Swiss.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham with cooked bacon or turkey.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the croissants up to the egg wash step, then refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed the next morning.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your croissants are browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, but be careful as the filling may be very hot.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the croissants up to the egg wash step and refrigerate overnight.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the croissants up to the egg wash step and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed the next morning.
Overfilling the croissants with ham and cheese can cause them to leak during baking, resulting in a soggy texture. Be sure to keep the fillings within the dough.
Yes, you can use homemade puff pastry dough for this recipe. Just be sure to follow the instructions for chilling and rolling out the dough.
These croissants are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of fresh fruit or a bowl of soup for a complete meal.
Yes, you can freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe 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!
