Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
Crispy ham and cheese croissant is a quick and easy breakfast or lunch idea. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting perfectly golden, flaky layers every time. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spiced Peach Bread and Dill Pickle Bread Recipe.
Why This Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, flaky layers
- Crispy exterior with a soft, cheesy interior
- Quick and easy to make
- Better than store-bought
What You'll Need for Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 oz ham
- 8 oz Swiss cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Poppy seeds
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- puff pastry: Use store-bought for convenience
- ham: Deli ham works well
- cheese: Swiss cheese is traditional, but any melting cheese works
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Pizza Cutter — Makes clean cuts through puff pastry → See on Amazon
- Baking Sheet — Even heat distribution for crispy croissants → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
- Prepare dough: Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Roll out into a large rectangle.
- Add filling: Layer ham and cheese on one half of the dough. Season with salt and pepper.
- Fold dough: Fold the other half of the dough over the ham and cheese. Press edges to seal.
- Cut and shape: Cut into 8-10 rectangles. Roll each rectangle into a croissant shape.
- Chill: Chill croissants in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Egg wash: Whisk egg and water. Brush onto croissants. Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
- : Keep dough cold to prevent stickiness.
- Common mistake and fix: If croissants are undercooked, bake for longer or at a higher temperature.
- : For a crispier crust, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds.
- : For a softer interior, reduce baking time.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Make ahead and freeze for a quick breakfast or lunch.
Freezing Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
Freeze uncooked croissants for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster prep, use a deli slicer to thinly slice the ham and cheese.
- Best substitution: Use any melting cheese for the Swiss cheese.
- Make-ahead: Freeze uncooked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If croissants are browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Want to level up this recipe?
Parchment Paper — Prevents croissants from sticking to the baking sheet → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 oz ham
- 8 oz Swiss cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare dough: Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Roll out into a large rectangle.
- Add filling: Layer ham and cheese on one half of the dough. Season with salt and pepper.
- Fold dough: Fold the other half of the dough over the ham and cheese. Press edges to seal.
- Cut and shape: Cut into 8-10 rectangles. Roll each rectangle into a croissant shape.
- Chill: Chill croissants in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Egg wash: Whisk egg and water. Brush onto croissants. Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster prep, use a deli slicer to thinly slice the ham and cheese.
- Best substitution: Use any melting cheese for the Swiss cheese.
- Make-ahead: Freeze uncooked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If croissants are browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked croissants for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Make ahead: Make ahead and freeze for a quick breakfast or lunch.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant FAQs
Yes, freeze uncooked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
Ensure the oven is fully preheated and bake for the full time. For a crispier crust, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds.
Yes, any melting cheese can be used in place of Swiss cheese.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Yes, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Ham and Cheese Croissant 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!
