Croissant Breakfast Casserole

This croissant breakfast casserole is the epitome of comfort food. It starts with flaky, buttery croissants stuffed with crispy bacon, and melty Gruyere and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s covered in a rich, velvety custard made from eggs, cream, and milk to create a flavorful base, making each bite beyond delicious! 

As it bakes, the edges of the croissants turn golden and crisp, while the center stays soft and creamy. When you pull it out of the oven, the aroma alone is enough to have everyone running to the table.

It’s a savory version of bread pudding – but made even better with flaky croissants, bacon and cheese -YUM!

This is the BEST breakfast casserole – ideal for christmas morning or holiday brunch. Serve with fried potatoes and onions or a stone fruit salad.

It’s a delicious recipe that’s always a crowd pleaser – perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast as it is for a festive brunch with friends. Trust me, you’ll want seconds.

(full list of ingredients and recipe instructions can be found in the recipe card)

• Croissants are the foundation of this croissant breakfast casserole! Their flaky, buttery layers soak up the custard, creating a tender, almost creamy interior while maintaining slightly crisp, golden edges as they bake. Day old croissants are best as fresh croissants can tend to become soggy.
• Bacon adds flavor and texture, balancing out all over the creaminess with a pop of smoky flavor. Cook until crisp to prevent soggy bits in your casserole.
• Eggs bind all the ingredients together while creating a creamy, custard-like texture. When mixed with milk and cream and baked, the eggs set into a rich, firm base that holds the croissant pieces, cheese, and bacon in place.
• Milk and heavy cream play a key role in creating the custard base. When combined with eggs, they provide moisture and richness, ensuring the casserole has a creamy, tender texture throughout. The milk adds lightness, preventing the custard from being dense, while the heavy cream adds a velvety richness that enhances the overall indulgence of the dish. Save leftovers and make my biscuits and gravy recipe next!
• Gruyere and cheddar cheese add depth, creaminess, and flavor to this croissant breakfast casserole. Gruyere’s nutty sweetness and cheddar’s bold tanginess create a dynamic flavor and creamy, gooey texture that perfectly complement the buttery croissants and rich custard in the casserole. Oh, if you love a cheesy casserole, make my cornbread cowboy casserole next.
• The seasonings enhance and balance the flavors, adding depth and complexity to the dish. We’re using garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, red pepper flakes, and a little bit of nutmeg (trust me on this! It’s like how I added it to my old fashioned baked mac and cheese!). The everything but the bagel seasoning goes on top after baking. It adds a burst of texture and a ton of flavor! 

Variations

This is an incredibly easy breakfast casserole, but feel free to add whatever you’d like and make it your own! Here are some ideas: 

• Add in sautéed spinach to start your day with a serving of veggies.
• Use ground sausage instead of bacon to make a sausage breakfast casserole. You can really use any breakfast meat! 
• Add in some caramelized onions for added flavor! 
• If you don’t have gruyere, you can sub in parmesan cheese instead. 

How to make Croissant Breakfast Bake 

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place bacon onto a wire rack on a baking sheet in a single layer. (you can also use aluminum foil or parchment paper) Make sure that the slices aren’t overlapping. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until crispy. Remove from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine milk, heavy cream, dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried sage, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, kosher salt, black pepper, and eggs. Whisk together vigorously to ensure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the gruyere and cheddar cheeses and mix together.

Step 3: Cut each of the croissant in half, lengthwise and lay the bottom piece onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle each piece with cheese and place bacon on top. (I usually just break each piece of bacon in half and place it on top – it doesn’t have to be perfect!) Place the top half of the croissant on top to create a sandwich.

Step 4: Spray a 3 inch deep 10 inch round oven safe skillet OR 9×13 baking dish with oil. Cut each croissant into thirds and place into the prepared baking dish. 

Step 5: Whisk together the custard mixture once more to ensure none of the ingredients have settled to the bottom and pour on top of the croissants. Press the croissants into the custard to ensure everything is covered.

Step 6: Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake for 20-25 mins, until the tops are crispy and golden brown. Sprinkle everything but the bagel seasoning and fresh parsley or chopped green onions on top of the casserole. 

Pro Tips 

• Cook bacon until crisp: Ensure the bacon is cooked until crispy for added texture and to prevent it from becoming chewy in the casserole.
• Use day-old croissants: Slightly stale croissants absorb the custard better without becoming soggy. If you don’t have day old croissants, you can briefly toast them in the oven prior to using (about 5-10 minutes, until they’re slightly crisp).
• Shred cheese freshly: Grate Gruyere and cheddar from a block for better melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
• Whisk custard thoroughly: Beat eggs, milk, and cream well to create a smooth custard that evenly soaks into the croissants
• Let it cool slightly: Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to set and make slicing easier.

How to Serve

I like to keep it simple and serve this easy breakfast recipe with fresh berries or fresh fruit and a hot cup of coffee. 

A simple green salad with crispy tater tots adds crispness and balance for a hearty meal. You can also slice and top with avocado for a creamy, mild flavor that pairs perfectly with this savory casserole.

Serve with fresh orange or grapefruit juice to brighten up the meal and add zingy citrus touch!

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