Smoky Ham & Cheese Croissant Casserole (video)
The most delicious savory French toast casserole for breakfast and brunch! My smoky ham and cheese croissant casserole will be your new favorite for breakfast! It’s made with smoky ham bits, loads of smoked cheese, a simple egg custard, and buttery, flaky croissants. It’s cheesy, smoky, decadent, and so delicious! This breakfast recipe comes together in no time, and you can prepare the night before for an easy breakfast in the morning!
Watch My Ham Croissant Casserole Video Tutorial
Watch my YouTube ham and cheese croissant casserole video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and see just how easy this delicious breakfast is to make! Want to stay up to date on my newest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel for notifications.
Ingredients for Ham & Cheese Casserole
Here are my tips for the main ingredients you’ll need for this cheesy croissant casserole. Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Smoked Ham – I love the flavor of slightly sweet smoked ham in this recipe. It adds incredible flavor! This recipe works well with smoked turkey or beef sausage, too.
- Smoked Cheese – my favorite type of cheese to use for this dish is Smoked Beecher’s Cheese. It’s a hard cheese that’s similar to aged cheddar cheese. Any variety of melty cheese will work great for this recipe.
- Croissants – large, butter croissants work best for this recipe. You want them to be extra fluffy and flaky. I use Costco croissants.
Preparing the Egg Custard Mixture
This delicious ham and cheese French toast casserole recipe starts with the egg custard base. It’s quick and easy to prepare!
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch (or similar) casserole dish.
- Dice the smoked ham into small, pea-sized pieces. Grate the cheese into a small bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and half-and-half (or cream). Season with salt, pepper, and paprika, then whisk for a few minutes until the eggs are well-beaten.
- Add the diced ham next, along with the grated cheese and finely chopped chives. Stir everything together.
How to Make Ham & Cheese Croissant Casserole
Once you have the egg custard ready, it’s time to prepare the croissants!
- Use a bread knife to gently cut the croissants into 1 ½-inch pieces. Drop the croissant pieces into the buttered casserole dish.
- Pour the prepared egg, ham, and cheese mixture over the croissants. Use a spoon or spatula to toss everything together, allowing the croissants to soak up the egg custard. There should be no dry pieces of bread.
- Arrange the croissants in an even layer. Sprinkle additional chopped chives over the casserole, as garnish.
Baking Instructions for Croissant Casserole
- Bake the ham and cheese casserole at 425°F for 34 to 38 minutes. At the 15-minute baking mark, lay a sheet of foil over the casserole to prevent the croissants from browning too much.
- Bake until the egg custard is completely set. There should be no liquid egg at the top.
- Make-ahead instructions: follow the instructions as written, then cover and refrigerate the casserole before baking. Bake as usual at 425°F.
Serving Suggestions for Breakfast
To serve this delicious ham and cheese breakfast casserole, use a sharp serrated knife to cut the dish into individual servings. Enjoy the casserole warm for the best tasting results.
Try pairing the casserole with salsa or hot sauce for additional flavor. Or pair it with some other breakfast classics, like breakfast sausage or pancakes. Try my favorite Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes!
More Recipes to Try!
Enjoyed this easy breakfast recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!
- Egg & Sausage Casserole – a delicious combination of savory sausage with peppers, cheese, and egg. This recipe works great in a slow cooker or oven.
- Homemade Breakfast Sausage Sandwiches – with homemade sausage patties, cheese, English muffins, and avocado spread!
- Sheet Pan Breakfast – a complete breakfast with roasted potatoes, peppers, and baked eggs.
- Mixed Berry Croissant French Toast – sweet croissant French toast with maple syrup and mixed berries!
Share it on Pinterest!
Smoky Ham & Cheese Croissant Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half, or cream
- 2 to 3 tsp sea salt
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 12 oz smoked ham, finely diced
- 7 oz smoked cheese, (I use Smoked Beechers)
- 3 tbsp finely chopped chives
- 6 to 7 large butter croissants, (For size reference, I use Costco croissants)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
Preparing the Casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch (or similar) casserole dish.
- Dice the smoked ham into small, pea-sized pieces. Grate the cheese into a small bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and half-and-half (or cream). Season with salt, pepper, and paprika, then whisk for a few minutes until the eggs are well-beaten.
- Add the diced ham next, along with the grated cheese and finely chopped chives. Stir everything together.
- Use a bread knife to gently cut the croissants into 1 ½-inch pieces. Drop the croissant pieces into the buttered casserole dish.
- Pour the prepared egg, ham, and cheese mixture over the croissants. Use a spoon or spatula to toss everything together, allowing the croissants to soak up the egg custard. There should be no dry pieces of bread.
- Arrange the croissants in an even layer. Sprinkle additional chopped chives over the casserole, as garnish.
Baking Instructions:
- Bake the ham and cheese casserole at 425°F for 34 to 38 minutes. At the 15-minute baking mark, lay a sheet of foil over the casserole to prevent the croissants from browning too much.
- Bake until the egg custard is completely set. There should be no liquid egg at the top.
- Make-ahead instructions: follow the instructions as written, then cover and refrigerate the casserole before baking. Bake as usual at 425°F.
- To serve this delicious ham and cheese casserole, use a sharp serrated knife to cut the dish into individual servings. Enjoy the casserole warm for the best tasting results. Try pairing the casserole with salsa or hot sauce for additional flavor.
