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Imagine flaky croissants, soft melted Gruyere cheese, crispy bacon, and a medley of onions and red bell peppers all married together in a delightful casserole. Baked to perfection, this croissant breakfast casserole has quickly become a brunch favorite!
Croissant Breakfast Casserole – A Brunch Game-Changer
This year, I have found myself hosting more brunches in my home, and I am LOVING it! There’s something about gathering with friends and family over a delicious spread of breakfast foods that just makes me happy.
Every time I host, I like to try out a new recipe, especially something I can prep the night before to keep things easy. Since my everything bagel breakfast casserole was such a hit last time, I decided to switch things up and make a croissant breakfast casserole for my next brunch.
And let me just say that this breakfast casserole is not just a dish; it’s an experience!
The buttery richness of the croissants, the savory crunch of bacon, the sweet and slight spiciness of onions and red bell peppers, and the smooth creaminess of Gruyere cheese all work together to create the perfect bite.
The added hint of sage lends an earthy note that ties the dish together beautifully.
Pair it with a refreshing mimosa or a hot cup of coffee, and you have yourself the ultimate brunch meal!
Ingredients needed
Learn how to make a delicious croissant breakfast casserole with this easy-to-follow recipe. This breakfast casserole is perfect for a special occasion brunch or even just a weekend treat!
Here are the key ingredients that you will need to make this delicious croissant breakfast casserole:
- Croissants: Buttery croissants are the perfect base for this breakfast casserole, adding a delicious flaky texture. You can buy pre-made croissants at the store, or you can make your own if youโre feeling extra fancy! You’ll need 8-10 large croissants for this recipe.
- Bacon: The salty and smoky flavor of bacon pairs perfectly with the croissants in this dish. You can also use ham or sausage if thatโs your preference. Make sure to cook the bacon before adding it to your dish.
- Onions and Red Bell Peppers: These colorful vegetables add a bit of sweetness to balance out the savory flavors in the casserole. You can also add other veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli if youโd like.
- Eggs and Milk: The base of any breakfast casserole is eggs and milk. They provide a great source of protein and help to hold everything together. Youโll need 10 large eggs for this recipe, and I used whole milk but feel free to use any type of milk you prefer.
- Gruyere Cheese: This tangy and nutty cheese pairs perfectly with the other flavors in this casserole. You can also use cheddar or Swiss cheese if you prefer. You’ll need 2 cups.
- Ground Sage: Sage is a great herb to add to breakfast dishes, as it adds warmth and depth of flavor. If you donโt have ground sage, you can also use dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste!
- Green Onions: The last ingredient I added was green onions for a bit of freshness and color. You can also top your dish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil before serving.
Kitchen tools required
Hereโs a bit more information about what I used to make this homemade breakfast casserole…
- Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper
- Small Sauce Pan
- Kitchen Knife and Cutting Board
- Large Bowl
- Whisk
- 9×13 Baking Dish
- Aluminum Foil
For measuring, you will need 1 cup and a teaspoon.
How to make a croissant breakfast casserole
Preheat the oven to 475ยฐF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Halve the croissants and place them open-side up. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and set aside.
Cook the bacon in a large saute pan. Then, chop into bite-size pieces.
In the same pan, add diced onion and pepper, and cook until softened and onions are translucent about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. Stir in 1 cup of gruyere cheese, salt, pepper, and ground sage. Add the cooled peppers and onions to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
In a greased 9×13 dish, tear the toasted croissants into bite-size pieces and scatter them in the bottom. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top!
Pour the egg mixture over the croissant mixture, pressing down the croissants to ensure they are covered by the egg mixture.
Cover with foil and let sit for 8 hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350ยฐF. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top of the casserole and bake for 45 minutes. Garnish with green onions and let it cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Below are some common breakfast casserole questions. Donโt see the answer youโre looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
Can I make my own croissants, or should I buy pre-baked ones?
You can absolutely make your own croissants from scratch, but it will require more time and effort. If you want to save time, buying pre-baked croissants is a great option.
Can I substitute Gruyere cheese with another type of cheese?
Yes, you can use other types of cheese like cheddar or Swiss if you donโt have Gruyere. However, the flavor may be slightly different.
What other type of protein can I use in place of bacon?
You can use any type of breakfast meat, like sausage, ham, or turkey bacon. You can also omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian option!
Can I make this breakfast casserole ahead of time and freeze it?
Yes! This croissant breakfast casserole is perfect for meal prep. You can refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Storing leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave or bake it in the oven at 350ยฐF for about 10 minutes.
If you liked this recipe, youโll want to try these!
Here are some of my favorite breakfast recipes you should make next. Enjoy!
- Healthy Spinach Bacon Quiche
- Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
- Cottage Cheese Blueberry Pancakes
- Southwestern Breakfast Burritos
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Croissant Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Imagine flaky croissants, soft melted Gruyere cheese, crispy bacon, and a medley of onions and red bell peppers all married together in a delightful casserole. Baked to perfection, this croissant breakfast casserole has quickly become a brunch favorite!
Ingredients
- 8 croissants
- 8 strips bacon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 10 eggs
- 4 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp ground sage
- Chopped green onion for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut croissants in half and place open side face up. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Set aside.
- Cook bacon according to package. Set cooked bacon aside. Once cooled, chop into bite size pieces.
- In a small sauce pan, heat olive oil. Add diced onion and diced pepper and cook until softened and onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add in milk and whisk until well combined. Mix in 1 cup gruyere cheese, salt, pepper, and sage.
- In a greased 9×13 dish, rip croissants into bite size pieces and scatter in bottom of dish. Scatter bacon evenly on top.
- Add the cooled peppers and onions to the egg mixture and stir until combined, then pour egg mixture over croissant mixture, and press down croissants until they are covered by the egg mixture.
- Cover with aluminum foil and let sit 8 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, heat oven to 350F. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top of casserole and bake for 45 minutes. Scatter top with green onions. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.
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Jennifer says
Do you just let it sit overnight or for the 8 hours in the fridge or just on your counter? might be silly question, but just wanted to double check ๐
Erin says
Hi Jennifer, yes in the refrigerator! Let me know how yours came out! ๐