Easy Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Bake

Transform buttery croissants into a savory, golden breakfast bake with ham, egg custard, and melted Colby Jack cheese. This simple one-pan meal is perfect for busy mornings.

By EasyCooks Kitchen

Published October 12, 20268 min read

Total time: 50 mins

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Rest: 5 mins

Serves: 6; Makes one 9x13 inch baking dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410; per serving, estimated

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A golden-brown Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Bake in a white ceramic dish.

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Discover how a few simple ingredients can create a breakfast masterpiece that will impress any guest. This Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Bake is the ultimate comfort food, blending buttery textures with a savory, cheesy finish that satisfies every craving.

Start your morning with a dish that perfectly balances savory ham, melted cheese, and buttery, toasted croissants. This breakfast bake is designed for those who appreciate a hearty start but want to minimize time in the kitchen. By utilizing a classic egg custard, the croissant pieces soak up the flavors, creating a tender interior while the top remains golden and crisp. It is a reliable, delicious way to serve a crowd, making it an ideal candidate for slow weekend mornings or special family gatherings where quality time takes priority.

The appeal

Why you’ll love it

The method of soaking torn croissants in an egg custard allows the bread to retain its buttery structure while becoming infused with the savory notes of the Dijon mustard and ham. This technique ensures that the center remains moist and tender, while the surface develops a golden, slightly crisp crust that provides a pleasant textural contrast to the soft interior, resulting in a cohesive and balanced bite that is perfect for any morning meal.
Using a high-sided ceramic baking dish is essential for this recipe as it provides uniform heat distribution, which is crucial for setting the egg custard without drying out the delicate croissant layers. The ceramic material retains heat effectively, ensuring that the cheese melts evenly and bubbles to perfection. This setup creates a consistent bake across the entire dish, guaranteeing that each portion served is as delicious and well-structured as the first piece lifted from the center.

What you need

Ingredients

5 ingredients

Servings

Makes one 9x13 inch baking dish.

6 large croissants, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 cup ham cubes
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

Custard

6 large eggs
1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Contains:

Gluten
Eggs
Milk
Mustard

Served raw or lightly cooked

This recipe includes eggs that may not be fully cooked through. Use pasteurised eggs for pregnant women, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Tools

Equipment

9x13 inch ceramic baking dish
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Spatula

Swaps

Substitutions

Instead ofColby Jack cheese
UseCheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or Swiss cheese
Instead ofHam cubes
UseCooked bacon crumbles or sautéed breakfast sausage

Good to know

Notes

When selecting ingredients for this breakfast bake, choose high-quality croissants, preferably those that are slightly stale or day-old, as they hold their shape better when soaked in the custard mixture. The Dijon mustard acts as a flavor enhancer, providing a subtle tang that cuts through the richness of the cheese and eggs, so do not omit it. Ensure the ham cubes are distributed evenly throughout the dish without overwhelming any specific bite.

Regarding equipment, a standard 9x13 inch ceramic baking dish is the most appropriate size for the quantities provided, allowing for the correct depth and baking duration. If you find the top browning too quickly before the center has fully set, you may loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the final ten minutes of baking. Always ensure that the oven is fully preheated before inserting the dish to achieve the desired golden color and proper set.

Prep

Before you start

Before beginning the assembly, ensure the oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C) to allow for an immediate start to the cooking process. Have all ingredients measured and ready, including the ham cubes and shredded cheese. If using fresh croissants, tear them into consistent pieces and let them sit for a few minutes to slightly dry out, which helps them absorb the custard more efficiently. Clear your workspace to allow for the assembly of the baking dish, ensuring you have enough room to whisk the custard and distribute the ingredients evenly.

Step by step

Method

3 steps

Phase 1

Base Assembly

Step 1: Prepare the Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large 9x13 inch ceramic baking dish, evenly distribute the torn croissant pieces. Scatter the ham cubes over the croissants to ensure every section has plenty of savory protein.
You’ll need: croissants · ham cubes
Look for: The croissants should be spread in an even layer across the bottom of the dish.
Tip: Tear the croissants into uniform pieces to ensure they absorb the custard evenly.

Checkpoint

The croissants and ham cubes should be evenly spread across the bottom of the dish, filling the space without being packed too tightly, which ensures the custard can flow between all the pieces for a uniform texture.

Phase 2

Custard Incorporation

Step 2: Mix and Pour Custard
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and Dijon mustard until smooth. Pour this mixture carefully over the croissant and ham base, making sure to moisten all the bread pieces thoroughly. Top the dish with the shredded Colby Jack cheese.
You’ll need: large eggs · Dijon mustard · shredded Colby Jack cheese
Look for: The custard should be fully absorbed into the bread, and the cheese should cover the top surface evenly.
Tip: Whisk the custard vigorously to ensure the mustard is fully incorporated into the eggs.

Checkpoint

The custard should be poured slowly and evenly over the entire surface, ensuring all bread pieces are dampened. The cheese layer should be distributed in a uniform blanket, covering all exposed areas of the croissants.

Phase 3

Final Baking

Step 3: Bake to Completion
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. To ensure the eggs are cooked through, the center must reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
You’ll need: croissants · ham cubes · large eggs · Dijon mustard · shredded Colby Jack cheese
Internal temperature 160°F (71°C)
Look for: The dish is done when the custard is set and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Tip: Use a digital thermometer inserted into the center to confirm the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Checkpoint

The bake is ready when the top is vibrant gold, the cheese is bubbling, and the center is firm to the touch. A thermometer should confirm the internal temperature has reached 160°F (71°C) for safety.

Doneness

How to tell it’s done

The breakfast bake is considered done when the egg custard has fully set and is no longer liquid in the center of the dish. The top should be a deep golden brown, and the cheese should be melted, bubbling, and slightly browned at the edges. Using a food thermometer, check that the center of the bake has reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Allow the dish to rest for five minutes after removing it from the oven to let the custard firm up, making it easier to slice into clean, neat squares.

Avoid these

Common mistakes

A common mistake is using overly fresh or soft bread, which can result in a soggy texture rather than a pleasant, custardy bite. Ensure the croissant pieces are torn into medium-sized chunks; pieces that are too small may disintegrate. Another error is failing to whisk the custard thoroughly, which leads to uneven flavor distribution. Finally, do not rush the baking process; removing the dish before the center is set will result in a messy, undercooked interior that lacks the necessary structure for serving.

Cook safely

Food safety

Safe internal temperatures

Cook to at least these temperatures, measured with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part.

Minimum safe internal temperatures
Food	Minimum internal temperature
Egg dishes	160°F (71°C)

Raw or lightly cooked ingredients

This recipe includes eggs that may not be fully cooked through. Use pasteurised eggs for pregnant women, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Better results

Tips

Tip 1
For a more complex flavor profile, you can incorporate fresh herbs such as chives or parsley into the egg custard mixture before pouring it over the croissants. These herbs add a bright, fresh note that complements the richness of the cheese and ham perfectly. Ensure the herbs are finely chopped so they distribute evenly throughout the bake without creating large clumps that might affect the final texture or appearance of the finished dish.
Tip 2
If you prefer a softer crust, you can prepare the base and let it sit in the refrigerator for up to an hour before baking. This resting period allows the croissants to absorb more of the custard, resulting in a more uniform, pudding-like consistency throughout the entire dish. If you choose to do this, ensure the dish is brought back to room temperature for about 15 minutes before placing it into the preheated oven to ensure even cooking.

Make it yours

Variations

Vegetarian Spinach and Feta

Replace the ham with one cup of chopped fresh spinach and half a cup of crumbled feta cheese for a vibrant, vegetarian-friendly version of this breakfast bake.

Spicy Sausage and Pepper

Substitute the ham with browned, crumbled breakfast sausage and add a quarter cup of diced bell peppers to the custard for a spicy and bold breakfast experience.

On the table

Serving suggestions

Serve the breakfast bake warm directly from the baking dish, using a sharp spatula to cut neat, square portions. The dish is substantial enough to be served as a complete main course, but it pairs beautifully with a side of fresh seasonal fruit or a crisp green salad to provide a refreshing balance to the rich, savory flavors of the ham and melted cheese.

Because the dish is quite filling, consider accompanying it with a light, acidic beverage like fresh orange juice or a black coffee, which helps cleanse the palate between bites. If serving for a larger group, place the dish in the center of the table and allow guests to serve themselves, ensuring that everyone gets a portion that includes a good mix of the golden, crispy top and the tender, custard-soaked bottom.

Leftovers

Storage & make-ahead

Fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.

Store any leftovers by covering the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transferring the individual squares to an airtight container. This will keep the bake moist and prevent it from absorbing other odors in the refrigerator. Consume the refrigerated leftovers within three days for the best quality and flavor. When storing, ensure the dish has cooled completely to room temperature, but do not leave it out for longer than two hours to maintain food safety standards.

Make ahead

You can assemble the base with the croissants and ham, then prepare the custard separately. Keep the custard covered in the refrigerator and pour it over the croissants just before baking to prevent the bread from becoming overly saturated and mushy. This approach allows you to have a nearly ready-to-bake meal prepared in advance, saving significant time on the morning of service while maintaining the integrity and texture of the croissants.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can other types of bread be used instead of croissants?

While croissants provide a unique, buttery texture, you can use brioche, challah, or even a sturdy white bread. Adjust the amount of custard slightly if the bread is less absorbent than croissants.

How can the sogginess be prevented?

To prevent a soggy texture, ensure you do not over-soak the bread. Use day-old croissants that are slightly stale, as they hold up better to the custard than fresh, very soft bread.

Is it possible to bake this in a smaller dish?

A smaller dish can be used, but the depth will increase, which will require a longer baking time to ensure the center is fully set. Monitor the internal temperature closely to ensure it reaches 160°F (71°C).

Everything in one place: the recipe card below gathers the ingredients, steps and estimated nutrition, ready to print.

Recipe card