This delicious ham and cheese croissant bake is the perfect savoury brunch dish. Imagine buttery croissants filled with peppery mustard, ham and melty Gruyère, dotted with molten and gooey brie, then baked in a creamy, cheesy custard. So delicious.
For the croissants:
For the custard:
To serve:
Scroll up for a helpful step by step guide with pictures to help you make this recipe.
Cheese: you can use lots of different cheeses in this ham and cheese croissant bake. It is perfect for using up the odds and ends from a festive cheese board. Try a strong Cheddar, Comté or Emmental instead of Gruyère. Meanwhile, Pié d'Angloys or Camembert both work really well instead of brie. Pretty much any soft cheese will be delicious.
Family friendly: ham and cheese is a classic combination loved by all ages. However, if making for little ones, you might like to tone down (or omit) the mustard.
Make it vegetarian: this ham and cheese croissant bake can easily be made vegetarian. Simply omit the ham and swap the Gruyère for a vegetarian-friendly cheese. A strong Cheddar is perfect.
Make ahead: you can make up the ham and cheese croissant sandwiches the night before, then keep them well wrapped in the fridge overnight. Equally, you can whisk up the cheesy custard, cover with cling film and chill for up to 24 hours. Once you have soaked the croissants, it is best to bake and eat straight away. You can cover and chill the soaked mix unbaked for up to 3 hours, but any longer and they will absorb too much liquid.
To store: You can keep leftovers for up to 3 days. Just leave to cool completely, cover and chill for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Spoon individual portions into a microwave-safe dish and reheat in the microwave in gentle bursts until hot.
To freeze: Bake then allow to cool completely then wrap the dish with clingfilm and then a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, defrost overnight in the fridge and then reheat at 180c for 20-30 minutes, until melted and bubbling all the way through.
Find it online: https://desertislanddishes.co/ham-cheese-croissant-bake/