Description
These Golden Ham and Cheese Croissants combine buttery, flaky croissants with savory honey ham and melted Swiss cheese, all enhanced by a flavorful honey mustard butter spread. Perfect for easy brunches, quick dinners, or impressing guests, this recipe requires minimal prep and bakes quickly to a golden, crispy finish. You can customize the cheese and meat fillings or prepare these croissants ahead of time for a convenient, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Spread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (preferably Kerrygold)
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard (Grey Poupon recommended)
- 2 green onions, finely sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Croissants:
- 12 croissants, sliced horizontally but not cut through
- 1.25 lb thinly sliced honey ham
- 14 slices Swiss cheese (Sargento suggested)
For the Topping:
- 1 egg white, whisked with 1 tbsp water until frothy
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Butter and Herb Spread: In a small bowl, whisk together the softened butter, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until creamy and well combined. Gently fold in the finely sliced green onions, taking care not to overmix. Set the spread aside at room temperature so it stays spreadable.
- Assemble the Croissants: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Carefully slice each croissant horizontally through the middle, leaving one side attached to act as a hinge. Spread a generous layer of the prepared butter mixture on both the top and bottom halves of each croissant. On the bottom half, layer 2 to 3 slices of ham, then top with slightly more than one slice of Swiss cheese, folding the cheese to fit the croissant. Close each croissant gently.
- Prepare and Top for Baking: Arrange the assembled croissants seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or similar size pan. Whisk the egg white together with 1 tablespoon of water until frothy. Brush the egg wash evenly over the top of each croissant, then immediately sprinkle with poppy seeds to allow them to adhere properly.
- Bake and Serve: Bake in the preheated 375°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the croissants turn golden brown and the cheese is melted and just peeking through. Remove from the oven and let the croissants rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set and avoid burns from molten cheese.
Notes
- Avoid overbaking to prevent the croissants from becoming dry and tough; watch carefully after 15 minutes.
- Use a light hand when applying the egg wash to achieve a glossy finish without sogginess.
- Keep the croissant slice attached on one side to prevent filling leakage during baking.
- Let croissants rest for 5 minutes after baking to set the cheese filling.
- You can substitute cheddar or Gruyere for Swiss cheese based on taste preference.
- Ham can be swapped with deli turkey, roasted chicken, or prosciutto (use less if prosciutto due to saltiness).
- Freeze assembled unbaked croissants wrapped individually for up to 1 month, bake from frozen at adjusted times.
- Reheat croissants in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes if refrigerated, 15-20 if frozen, or use air fryer at 320°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ham and cheese croissants, easy brunch, savory croissants, baked croissants, Swiss cheese croissants, ham sandwiches
