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For a crowd-pleasing appetizer, you can’t beat these Ham and Cheese Croissants! With flaky puff pastry, savory ham, and plenty of melty cheese, these hand-held bites are always a hit.
Puff pastry appetizers are guaranteed to be a winner at parties—the kind of snack people hover over and stare at longingly while wondering if anyone else is going to grab that last one. There’s something about that buttery, flaky dough that makes it impossible to resist, right?
These ham and cheese croissants pair already irresistible puff pastry with ham and cheese, creating an app that’s pretty much the ultimate crowd-pleaser. I love serving these as a pre-holiday-dinner snack or game day appetizer, but they also make a great kid-friendly lunch option thanks to their size and unfussy flavors. (If your kids are REALLY picky, you can always skip the mustard.) Plus, thanks to the croissant element, ham and cheese croissants are also a win for brunch get-togethers!
As a bonus, these ham and cheese croissants are SUPER easy to make. They come together with just a few simple ingredients and steps, making them perfect for those times when you’re juggling party prep and need some easy apps to get on the table with minimal effort.
(If salty, savory ham is your fave, try these Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders and Ham Salad too!)
Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Croissants
The ingredient list for these puff pastry appetizers is short and sweet!
- Puff Pastry – Not to be confused with crescent roll dough! They’re two completely different things: crescent roll dough is puffy and delicious, but not flaky and buttery like puff pastry.
- Dijon Mustard – Tangy mustard adds a nice zing to the croissants and it’s a classic pairing with ham and cheese.
- Sliced Ham – You can use any type of ham you like, whether it’s deli-fresh slices or prepackaged slices. Very thinly sliced leftover ham (like this Bourbon Honey Baked Ham) will also work, but the key here is very thinly—you have to be able to fold it up in the puff pastry.
- Cheese – I like to use shredded gruyere or another Swiss cheese.
- Egg Yolks – These help seal the puff pastry and give the ham and cheese croissants a nice sheen and golden color when baked.
- Parmesan Cheese – A sprinkle of Parmesan adds flavor to the puff pastry.
- Garlic Powder – This also adds flavor to the puff pastry dough.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Croissants
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need to do to make this recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions.
- Prepare the puff pastry. Cut it into 18 squares and place them on a baking sheet.
- Assemble. Spread the mustard onto the puff pastry, then top with cheese and ham.
- Finish. Dab egg yolk onto one of the corners of the puff pastry and press it together with the opposite corner to seal. Brush the tops with egg yolk and sprinkle with Parmesan and garlic powder.
- Bake. Place the pans in a 350ºF oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown.
- Enjoy! Cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
To ensure your ham and cheese croissants turn out perfectly every time, here are a few tips.
- Thaw the puff pastry in advance. Make sure to fully thaw the puff pastry before using it. This will make it easier to work with and ensure that it bakes evenly.
- Don’t overfill. Adding too much filling—especially the ham—can cause the croissants to burst open while baking.
- Seal tightly. Press the corners of the puff pastry together firmly to prevent them from popping open while baking in the oven.
How to Prep Ham and Cheese Croissants Ahead of Time
If you’re making ham and cheese croissants for a party, you can get a head start on this recipe. Here’s how to prep them in advance:
- Assemble the croissants as instructed, but do not brush with egg yolk or sprinkle with Parmesan and garlic powder.
- Place them on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- Remove the ham and cheese croissants from the refrigerator while you preheat the oven. Brush with the egg yolk, sprinkle with Parmesan and garlic powder, and bake according to the recipe instructions.
What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Croissants
Serve these ham and cheese croissants with your favorite party appetizers. Here are some of my go-to recipes:
- Best Cold Crab Dip Recipe
- Homemade Pigs in a Blanket
- The Best Hummus
- French Onion Dip
- Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites with Bourbon Maple Cream Cheese Dip
More Puff Pastry Recipes
- Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
- Baked Brie with Fig Jam (Brie En Croute)
- Apple Turnover
- Beef Pot Pies
- Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
Ham and Cheese Croissants
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- ½ cup dijon mustard
- ½ pound sliced ham
- 2 cups shredded gruyere or other Swiss cheese
- 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Cut the puff pastry into 18 squares by cutting each sheet into 9 equal pieces.
- Place the puff pastry squared on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a baking mat.
- Spread 1/2 teaspoon of dijon mustard down the center of the square from corner to corner on the diagonal. Repeat with the remaining squares.
- Sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon shredded cheese on top of the dijon and top with a slice of ham.
- Dab a bit of the egg yolk on one of the corners of each pastry square not covered with topping and fold the opposite corner over the filling. Fold the remaining corner with the egg yolk over the pastry and press lightly to seal.
- Lightly brush the tops of each croissant with the egg yolk and sprinkle with parmesan and garlic powder.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until puffed up and golden brown.
- Allow the croissants to cool for 2-3 minutes and serve hot or room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I found this reciepe in the perfect time in my crazy life right now. Taking it to my daughter & family, as she broke one foot & had a twisted fracture (surgery 16 stitches) on the other.So I’m trying to help out with meals ,there is 3 big appetites plus her so it will be an assemble line for,me. Thanks for posting
This is such a fun dish to share. I’m sorry for your daughter’s accident….I hope she heals soon!
Can these ham and cheese croissants be frozen?
Yes! We freeze them before baking and then you can bake them from frozen.