Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole
This super simple, completely customizable, and utterly delectable breakfast casserole is the savory equivalent of bread pudding. Assemble the night before your brunch and make your morning a breeze.
Ingredients
- 6 Croissants cubed
- 2 C Swiss Cheese grated
- 2 C Cooked Ham or Bacon cubed
- 2-3 Green Onions sliced, green and white parts both
- 8 Eggs preferably organic and humane certified
- 2 C Milk or half n half
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon Butter to dot before baking, optional
Instructions
- Cube croissants, slice green onions and set up mise en place.
- Beat together 8 eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add in your milk or half n' half and beat well. Add in your additional flavorings - in this case, mustard, spices, kosher salt and pepper.8 Eggs, 2 C Milk, 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard, 1 teaspoon Cayenne, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, Kosher Salt and Pepper
- First, place your base layer of croissant (or bread) cubes in the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with shredded cheese, then ham and green onions.Finally, pour the custard mix over top of everything. Pour slowly and carefully to ensure that the layers remain even.Use a spoon or spatula to gently press down any pieces that appear dry. It's fine if they poke back up - once they have a little liquid in there, the process should continue during the resting phase. Dot with butter (if using), then cover the assembled strata with a piece of tinfoil and pop it in the refrigerator to rest overnight.6 Croissants, 2 C Swiss Cheese, 2 C Cooked Ham or Bacon, 2-3 Green Onions, 2 tablespoon Butter
- Preheat oven to 350F. Once the oven hits 350F, pull your assembled casserole from the fridge, and pop it straight in the oven (keeping the foil top) on the middle rack.Bake for about 30 minutes, then pull off the foil and return it to the oven. Bake for another 30 minutes uncovered, until the internal temperature hits 165F.Allow the strata to rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- No croissants? No problem! Opt for enriched breads like brioche, challah or burger buns instead.
- Rest at least 4 hours prior to baking, and up to overnight.
- For serving, feel free to add a fried egg over the top or a sauce on the bottom (e.g. bechamel) to make things a little fancier. A side salad offers a bit of acidity to cut through the richness, but is not required.
- As long as the bread/croissant, milk, egg and cheese ratio remain the same, you can make this strata in any flavor profile you want. Read the blog post for easy customization ideas!
- Refrigerator: Once the casserole has cooled to room temperature, cover the dish tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: If you want to freeze it, you can, but know the texture of the croissants will soften more once thawed. To do it, wrap cooled portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating Large Portions: To reheat a full pan, cover it with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Keeping it covered prevents the top from over-browning while the center warms.
- Small Portions: Use the air fryer to reheat individual slices. Place a piece in a parchment-lined basket (or directly in the basket if it’s sturdy). Air fry at 325°F for 5-8 minutes, checking around the 5-minute mark. If the casserole looks like it’s browning too quickly, tent the slice loosely with a small piece of foil and continue heating until warmed through. The microwave also works perfectly when you’re in a rush. Just heat on medium power in 45-60 second bursts until hot!
- Cheese: Cheddar Cheese, Jack, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Smoked Gouda, Goat Cheese, Quesadilla, Mozzarella, Taleggio, Havarti, Blue Cheese, Edam, Muenster, Asiago, Port Salut OR ANY OTHER MELTY CHEESE YOU LIKE! You can also use vegan cheese if needed.
- Cooked Meat (feel free to omit for vegetarian): Bacon Bits, Dutch Oven Turkey Breast, Breakfast Sausage, Chorizo, Chopped Deli Meat, Shredded Chicken, Pepperoni, or Vegan Meat Crumbles.
- Cooked Vegetables: Roasted Broccoli or Cauliflower, Sautéed Greens (Spinach, Kale, Chard), Caramelized Onion, Shallots, Leeks or Fennel, and/or Sautéed Bell Pepper or Poblano Pepper.
- Seasonings: Fresh Herbs, Dried Herbs and Spices, Pesto, Fresh Green Onions or Chives, or Fresh Minced Shallots.
- Other Ideas: Drained Canned Tomatoes, Roasted Chili Peppers, Sliced Black Olives, Pickled Peppers, or Toasted Nuts.
Nutrition
Calories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 17gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 526mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 727IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 218mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!