This Easy & Delicious Chopped Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe is loaded with crispy ham, caramelized onions, truffle cheese, fig jam, and hot honey mustard. Everything gets piled onto a buttery, golden brown croissant for an easy recipe that tastes way fancier than the effort involved.
Why You'll Love It
As a professional chef, cookbook author, and someone who has made approximately one million sandwiches, I can confidently say this is one of my favorite ways to upgrade a classic ham and cheese. And yes, I know ham and cheese croissants are already pretty perfect on their own. But once you toast one in butter and stuff it with this sweet, salty, cheesy chopped ham situation? It's game over.
The secret is cooking the filling in layers. First, the onions get soft and slightly caramelized. Then the ham hits the hot pan so the edges actually brown instead of simply warming through. From there, fig jam coats everything before the truffle Monterey Jack gets stirred in. This creates a ridiculously flavorful, cohesive filling with melted cheese in every bite.
I also toast the croissant cut-side down in butter. I've used this trick countless times when making croissant sandwiches because it adds texture while creating a barrier between the buttery croissant and warm filling.And although I'm using hot honey mustard, Dijon mustard or even yellow mustard will absolutely work.
It uses simple ingredients, comes together quickly, and is a great way to transform leftover ham into something you'll actually be excited about eating.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You don't need much to make this ham and cheese croissant recipe, which is exactly why I love it. Here's what I use and what you can swap if you don't have the exact ingredients.
- Croissant: I recommend fresh, buttery croissants from your favorite bakery. Good-quality store-bought croissants work perfectly, too. You can even use leftover croissants since we're crisping them in butter.
- Ham: I use chopped ham because those little pieces get crispy and distribute evenly throughout the sandwich. Leftover ham is perfect here, but deli ham works just as well.
- Truffle Monterey Jack: I love the earthy truffle flavor with the sweet fig jam. For a different cheese combo, try Swiss cheese, Gruyère, white cheddar, Havarti, or regular Monterey Jack.
- Sweet Onion: Thinly sliced sweet onion adds savory sweetness and texture. Yellow onion or shallot can be substituted.
- Fig Jam: This is the sweet component that ties the salty ham and cheese together. Apricot preserves, cherry preserves, or onion jam are great alternatives.
- Hot Honey Mustard: I love the combination of sweet heat and tang. Regular honey mustard, Dijon mustard, or spicy brown mustard also work.
- Butter: Butter helps toast the croissant until crisp and golden brown. Salted or unsalted butter both work.
- Olive Oil: I use a little olive oil to cook the onions and ham. Butter can be substituted if that's what you have.
How to Make It
The best way to make this sandwich is entirely on the stovetop, which means there's no baking sheet, parchment paper, egg wash, or oven required.
- TOAST THE CROISSANT: Add the butter to a small frying pan over medium heat. Once melted, place the croissant cut-side down and cook for 1-2 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- COOK THE ONIONS: Wipe out the pan and add the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly caramelized.
- CRISP THE HAM: Push the onions to one side of the pan and add the chopped ham. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes so it develops some color. Stir the ham and onions together and cook for another minute. This step might seem small, but browning creates more savory flavor. It's one of those little restaurant techniques that makes an easy sandwich taste much more interesting.
- ADD THE FIG JAM: Turn the heat to low and stir in the fig jam. Toss until the ham and onions are evenly coated.
- MELT THE CHEESE: Lay the truffle Monterey Jack over the warm ham mixture. Stir as it melts so you get gooey melted cheese throughout the entire filling.
- ASSEMBLE: Spread hot honey mustard over the toasted croissant. Immediately pile the warm chopped ham and cheese mixture on top, close the sandwich, and serve.
- SERVE: Eat immediately while the croissant is crispy and the cheese is gooey. I love serving it with potato chips, a simple green salad, or fresh fruit.
- SAVE: Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best results, store the croissant separately so it doesn't get soggy.
Tips for the Best Ham and Cheese Croissant
- Don't rush the croissant. Giving it a minute or two in butter makes a huge difference. You want that interior deeply toasted and crisp enough to hold up to the filling.
- I also recommend letting the ham sit untouched in the pan before stirring it. If you immediately start moving it around, it steams rather than browns.
- Keep the heat low once you add the fig jam and cheese. Fig jam contains plenty of sugar and can burn quickly over higher heat.
- And next time you make it, try switching up the cheese. Gruyère and ham give it a French-inspired feel, while Swiss cheese creates more of a classic ham-and-cheese situation.
- If you're feeding more people, simply multiply the ingredients. You can prepare several sandwiches and keep them warm in a low oven, but they're definitely at their best straight from the skillet.
What About a Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Bake?
If you found this recipe while searching for a cheese croissant breakfast bake, you're in the right flavor neighborhood but this recipe is much quicker.
A traditional croissant breakfast casserole usually places torn croissants in a baking dish before adding an egg mixture made with large eggs and whole milk. It's typically refrigerated under plastic wrap, then baked for around 20-25 minutes or longer depending on the recipe.Some versions brush the tops of the croissants with egg wash using a pastry brush or sprinkle them with poppy seeds before baking. Others use puff pastry instead of croissants.
All delicious ideas, but that's not what we're doing here. This recipe is designed for when you want those same cozy ham-and-cheese flavors without turning breakfast or lunch into a whole production. It's especially great for busy mornings because your actual hands-on cooking time is around 10-15 minutes.
What to Pair It With
Since this chopped ham and cheese croissant is rich, buttery, sweet, and savory, I like pairing it with something crisp or acidic. A simple salad with vinaigrette is my first choice, but fresh fruit and crunchy air fryer breakfast potatoes or even my favorite kale juice are always a win!
And if that sounds good to ya, check out some of these tasty recipes!
- Perfect Turkey Croissant Sandwich
- Hot Croissant Buns with Ham and Comte Cheese
- Pre-Turkey Melt(down) - Pepper Jack Croissant Grilled Cheese with Apple Butter
- Rainbow Almond Croissant Swirls with 2 Ingredient Powdered Sugar Drizzle
- Brie Grilled Cheese with Fig Jam
Recipe
Easy & Delicious Chopped Ham and Cheese Croissant Recipe
Equipment
- small fry pan
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ small sweet onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup ham about 5 ounces
- 2 slices truffle Monterey Jack cheese (or swiss!)
- 1 tablespoon fig jam
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 large croissant
- 1 tablespoon hot honey mustard
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Add butter to a small frying pan over medium heat.
- Once melted, place the croissant cut-side down. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Wipe out the pan and add the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly caramelized.
- Push the onions to one side and add the ham. Cook for 2-3 minutes, undisturbed, until it begins to brown.
- Stir the ham and onions together and cook for another minute.
- Add the fig jam and reduce the heat to low. Toss until the ham and onions are evenly coated.
- Add the truffle Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted into the ham mixture.
- Spread the hot honey mustard over the toasted croissant.
- Spoon the cheesy ham mixture onto the croissant, close the sandwich, and serve immediately.
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