Buttery croissant bake with ham, Gruyere, and herbs
Croissant Breakfast Strata
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
8
8 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Croissant Breakfast Strata
Buttery croissant bake with ham, Gruyere, and herbs
A rich breakfast strata built from croissants, eggs, ham, and Gruyere that tastes like a cross between brunch casserole and croque monsieur.
20m
Prep Time
40m
Cook Time
60m
Total Time
8
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This is exactly the kind of brunch bake that makes people assume you tried harder than you did. Croissants do most of the heavy lifting, and the ham-and-Gruyere direction gives it a distinctly French-cafe feel.
Ingredients
- 5 croissants, torn into pieces
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oven to 350°F and butter a baking dish.
- 2
Scatter the croissants, ham, and Gruyere in the dish.
- 3
Whisk together the eggs, milk, and chives and pour over.
- 4
Press lightly so the croissants soak up the custard.
- 5
Bake until puffed, golden, and set.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve alongside a fresh baguette and salted butter
Pair with a crisp green salad with Dijon vinaigrette
Serve alongside fresh fruit and your favorite morning beverage
Pair with crispy bacon or sausage links for a hearty start
Substitutions
GruyereSwiss
Swiss is a little milder but still very compatible with ham and egg
HamCooked bacon
Bacon makes the bake smokier and slightly less delicate
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Vanilla Extract
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the vanilla matters
For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.
This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.
- Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
- Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes
Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.
Shop vanilla extract for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Let it sit 10 to 15 minutes before baking if the croissants are very fresh.
This can be assembled ahead and chilled overnight.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 slice) · 8 servings
Calories390
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein17g
Carbohydrates24g
Fat26g
Fiber1g
Sugar5g
Sodium560mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use another cheese?
- Yes. Swiss or white cheddar work well too.
- Do I need ham?
- No. Mushrooms or roasted vegetables make a strong vegetarian version.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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