If you're looking for a make-ahead croissant breakfast casserole with ham that feels special but doesn't require you to be in the kitchen at dawn, this one checks all the boxes.
Buttery croissants, savory ham, melty cheese, and a custardy egg base come together in a cozy, crowd-pleasing breakfast that's perfect for Christmas morning, brunch with friends, or any day you want breakfast to feel a little more celebratory.
Bakes in: about 20 minutes (needs at least 3 hours chill time) | Serves: 4-6 | Difficulty: Easy | Make-ahead friendly: Yes
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Main Ingredient Notes and Smart Swaps
- Fun Twists and Tasty Variations
- How to Make Croissant Breakfast Casserole (Step-by-Step)
- Serving Ideas
- Shortcut to Supper (Time-Saving Tips)
- Supper & Then Some (Reimagining Leftovers)
- Make it Ahead (Plan and Prep Tips)
- Recipe FAQs
- Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Join the Conversation
- Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Ham
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Like my Baked French Toast Brioche Casserole with Chocolate Chips, it's make-ahead friendly, which means less stress and more coffee on busy mornings.
- Croissants add a rich, buttery texture you just don't get from regular bread.
- It's a great way to use up leftover ham, especially after the holidays.
- Small-batch size makes it perfect for couples or smaller families.
- It's flexible enough to customize with different cheeses, veggies, or meats like my Sausage, Egg, Cheese, and Hash Brown Breakfast Muffins
- This recipe has been tested with both small and medium store-bought croissants, so it works reliably even when croissant sizes vary.
Main Ingredient Notes and Smart Swaps
Below are my ingredient notes (including substitutions) for the main ingredients in this recipe and how you can make it your own. The recipe card below provides a complete list of all ingredients and measurements.
- Croissants: Slightly stale or day-old croissants work best because they absorb the egg mixture without becoming mushy. Fresh is fine too, just give them plenty of chill time.
- Ham: Leftover holiday ham is ideal here, but any good-quality diced ham works beautifully.
- Cheese: White cheddar adds classic comfort, while pepper jack brings a gentle kick. Swap in Swiss, Monterey Jack, or even Gruyère if that's what you have.
- Vegetables: Onion and bell pepper add flavor and color. For Christmas morning, red and green peppers make it feel extra festive.
Fun Twists and Tasty Variations
- Swap the ham for cooked sausage or bacon.
- Add sliced mushrooms, asparagus tips, or baby spinach.
- Use all cheddar for a milder casserole or all pepper jack for more heat.
- Stir in a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
How to Make Croissant Breakfast Casserole (Step-by-Step)
This is a summary of the steps; the complete directions are in the recipe card below.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ham, onion, and bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften. Season with salt and pepper, cook one more minute, then remove from heat.
- Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the cubed croissants, then spoon the ham mixture evenly over the top, gently mixing.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs. Stir in half of the cheddar and half of the pepper jack.
- Pour the egg mixture over the croissants, pressing gently so most pieces absorb the liquid. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and set. Let rest for about 15 minutes before serving.
Serving Ideas
- Old-Fashioned Ambrosia or Ambrosia Fruit Salad with Cool Whip would pair nicely.
- Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins or Honey Butter Biscuits would also be a nice addition.
- Sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo, or sliced green onions for topping
Shortcut to Supper (Time-Saving Tips)
- Dice the ham and vegetables a day ahead and refrigerate.
- Purchased frozen chopped onions and bell peppers.
- Use pre-shredded cheese if you're short on time.
- Assemble the entire casserole the night before and bake in the morning.
Supper & Then Some (Reimagining Leftovers)
Leftover croissant breakfast casserole reheats beautifully. Warm slices in the oven, microwave, or on the bake setting in an air fryer, and serve with a simple side salad for an easy, no-fuss dinner.
Make it Ahead (Plan and Prep Tips)
This casserole is designed for advance prep. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature before baking for the best texture and even cooking.
Recipe FAQs
You'll need an 8×8-inch baking dish, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a sharp knife, and a cheese grater.
Chilling allows the croissants to fully absorb the egg mixture, resulting in a creamy, custardy texture rather than dry bread.
Letting it warm slightly before baking helps it cook evenly, and resting after baking allows it to set so it slices cleanly.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, or on the bake setting in an air fryer.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Store-bought croissants vary widely in size. You want enough cubed croissants to fill an 8×8-inch baking dish in an even layer. If your croissants are on the small side, you may need five instead of 4.
- If the top browns too quickly before the casserole is done, loosely tent it with foil.
- Day-old croissants soak up the custard better than very fresh ones.
- Don't skip the resting time, it makes a big difference in texture.
Join the Conversation
If you try this make-ahead croissant breakfast casserole with ham, I'd love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a star rating and a comment below. Your feedback helps other readers and truly makes my day.
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Practical Southern Cooking focuses on simple, small-batch recipes designed for busy home cooks and retirees-comforting meals made with pantry-friendly ingredients and plenty of Southern know-how.
Southern Comfort with a Side of Simplicity.
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Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Ham
Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking dish or 7x9-inch
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 8 ounces cubed ham you can use leftover ham or purchased
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, seeded and ribs removed, diced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 medium croissants cut into cubes (if small, use 5)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups grated white cheddar cheese divided
- ⅔ cup grated pepper jack cheese divided
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until hot. Add the ham, onion, and peppers, and cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle in the salt and pepper, cook for another minute, then turn off the burner.
- Lightly brush a bit of vegetable oil on the bottom and sides of an 8x8 baking dish. Add the cubed croissants to the dish. Pour the ham mixture over the croissants and stir to combine.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs. Add about half of the cheddar cheese and half of the pepper jack cheese to the bowl, then mix with a fork.
- Pour the mixture over the croissants, working it into the bread so it soaks into most of the pieces. Sprinkle with the remaining cheeses. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- Take the casserole out of the fridge and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for approximately 15 minutes to set. Serve with toppings of your choice. Enjoy!
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