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Easy Fluffy Croissant Breakfast Casserole Recipe Perfect for Brunch Ideas

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A buttery, flaky croissant breakfast casserole with melted cheese and savory eggs, perfect for brunch and feeding a hungry crowd. Quick, easy, and packed with nostalgic comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large croissants, preferably day-old or slightly stale
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 1 ¾ cups milk + ¼ cup heavy cream for extra richness)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: diced ham, cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach
  • Butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter your 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add a touch of richness.
  2. Tear the croissants into roughly 2-inch pieces and spread them evenly in the baking dish. If using any add-ins like ham or spinach, sprinkle them evenly over the croissants now.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs and 2 cups whole milk (or milk and cream combo) until fully combined and slightly frothy. Add 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk again to blend all flavors.
  4. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar and ½ cup shredded Gruyère directly into the custard mixture, reserving a small handful for topping later.
  5. Pour the custard evenly over the croissant pieces in the baking dish. Press down gently with a spatula or your hands to help the croissants soak up the custard evenly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes (or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours for an overnight bake).
  6. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top for a golden, bubbly crust.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown. To test doneness, insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
  8. Rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

[‘Let the croissants soak in the custard for at least 10 minutes for moist and tender texture.’, ‘Use room temperature eggs and milk for a smoother custard and even cooking.’, ‘Day-old croissants work best to soak up custard without becoming soggy.’, ‘If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking.’, ‘Customize with add-ins like ham, sausage, mushrooms, or spinach.’, ‘For gluten-free, use gluten-free croissants or flaky bread alternatives.’, ‘Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F covered with foil to keep moist.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: croissant casserole, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, cheesy casserole, savory breakfast, brunch ideas

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/easy-fluffy-croissant-breakfast-casserole-recipe-perfect-for-brunch-ideas/