Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, these are the best homemade croissants you can make in just 20 minutes. After making these many times, I discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy exterior and gooey cheese center. Keep reading for my tips on avoiding soggy croissants. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Apple Pie Bars and Creamy Potato Soup.
Why This Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with a soft, chewy interior
- Melty cheese and ham in every bite
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout and way cheaper
What You'll Need for Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
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
- Milk
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Poppy seeds
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Puff pastry: Use store-bought for ease and convenience.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Pizza cutter — Makes cutting croissants quick and easy → See on Amazon
- Baking sheet — Ensures even baking and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the pastry: Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Roll it out to a 12×12 inch square.
- Add the filling: Cut the pastry into 9 equal squares. Place a slice of ham and a generous pinch of cheese on each square. Fold the corners over the filling to form a triangle. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds if desired.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place croissants on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
- : For extra crispy croissants, brush with melted butter before baking.
- Common mistake and fix: To prevent soggy croissants, make sure to seal the edges well and don't overstuff with filling.
- : For a lighter croissant, use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Storing & Reheating Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
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: These croissants can be made ahead and frozen. Bake from frozen as needed.
Freezing Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
Freeze unbaked 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 in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. This may make the croissant soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the egg wash.
- Best substitution: Use Swiss cheese instead of cheddar for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: These croissants can be made ahead and frozen. Bake from frozen as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your croissants are browning too quickly, tent them with aluminum foil.
Want to level up this recipe?
Parchment paper — Prevents croissants from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze → Check price on Amazon
Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Puff pastry
- Ham
- Cheddar cheese
- Egg
- Milk
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry: Thaw puff pastry according to package instructions. Roll it out to a 12×12 inch square.
- Add the filling: Cut the pastry into 9 equal squares. Place a slice of ham and a generous pinch of cheese on each square. Fold the corners over the filling to form a triangle. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds if desired.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place croissants on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the egg wash.
- Best substitution: Use Swiss cheese instead of cheddar for a milder flavor.
- Make-ahead: These croissants can be made ahead and frozen. Bake from frozen as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your croissants are browning too quickly, tent them with aluminum foil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover croissants in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked croissants for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. This may make the croissant soggy.
- Make ahead: These croissants can be made ahead and frozen. Bake from frozen as needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 270
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make the croissants ahead and freeze them. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
To prevent soggy croissants, make sure to seal the edges well and don't overstuff with filling. Also, avoid letting the croissants sit in steam after baking.
Yes, you can make these croissants in the air fryer. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
The best way to reheat croissants is in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. This will help maintain their crispy exterior.
Yes, you can use refrigerated croissant dough instead of puff pastry. Follow the package instructions to thaw and roll out the dough. The cooking time may vary.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Croissants — Better Than Takeout 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!
