Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
Crispy oven baked ham and cheese croissants are the perfect solution for when you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and satisfying. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the perfect crispy exterior and gooey center every time. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Low Carb Healthy Keto Snacks List and Irresistible Garlic Parmesan Meatloaf Recipe.
Why This Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with a gooey cheese center
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Better than takeout and perfect for meal prepping
- Kid-friendly and customizable with your favorite fillings
What You'll Need for Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Puff pastry
- Ham
- Cheddar cheese
- Egg (for egg wash)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Poppy seeds
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Puff pastry: Make sure to use frozen puff pastry and thaw it according to package instructions.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Makes quick work of slicing ham and shredding cheese → See on Amazon
- Baking sheet — Ensures even baking and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
- Prepare the filling: Thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions. Slice the ham thinly and shred the cheese. Mix the ham, cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Assemble the croissants: Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 6 equal triangles. Place a spoonful of the ham and cheese mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Fold the wide end over the filling and roll up the croissant, tucking in the edges as you go. Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush with egg wash: Whisk the egg and brush it onto the croissants. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overfilling the croissants to prevent them from becoming too soggy. If this happens, try baking them at a lower temperature for a longer period of time.
- Pro tip: For a crispier crust, brush the croissants with melted butter after baking.
- Pro tip: To make these ahead, assemble the croissants and freeze them before baking. Add a few minutes to the baking time when ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover croissants in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Assemble the croissants up to 1 day ahead and store them in the fridge. Add a few minutes to the baking time when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
Freeze assembled croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat leftover croissants in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat leftover croissants in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. This may make them soggy, so the oven is recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add some diced jalapeños to the filling.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham with cooked chicken, turkey, or even sliced vegetables for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the croissants are not browning, try brushing them with a little bit of milk before adding the egg wash.
Want to level up this recipe?
Pizza cutter — Makes it easy to cut the puff pastry into triangles and slice the ham → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Puff pastry
- Ham
- Cheddar cheese
- Egg (for egg wash)
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions. Slice the ham thinly and shred the cheese. Mix the ham, cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Assemble the croissants: Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 6 equal triangles. Place a spoonful of the ham and cheese mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Fold the wide end over the filling and roll up the croissant, tucking in the edges as you go. Place the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush with egg wash: Whisk the egg and brush it onto the croissants. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the croissants for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add some diced jalapeños to the filling.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham with cooked chicken, turkey, or even sliced vegetables for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the croissants are not browning, try brushing them with a little bit of milk before adding the egg wash.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover croissants in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze assembled croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat leftover croissants in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat leftover croissants in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. This may make them soggy, so the oven is recommended.
- Make ahead: Assemble the croissants up to 1 day ahead and store them in the fridge. Add a few minutes to the baking time when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 230
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the croissants up to 1 day ahead and store them in the fridge. Add a few minutes to the baking time when ready to serve. You can also freeze assembled croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
If the croissants are not browning, try brushing them with a little bit of milk before adding the egg wash. This will help them to brown more evenly.
Yes, you can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, Gouda, or Swiss. You can also mix different types of cheese for a more complex flavor.
Yes, you can use frozen puff pastry, phyllo dough, or even pizza dough for a different texture. Keep in mind that the baking time may need to be adjusted.
Yes, you can add other ingredients to the filling such as diced onions, bell peppers, or even cooked bacon. You can also add herbs and spices to the filling for extra flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants 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!
