Flaky croissants stuffed with savory ham and oozing with melted cheese make a hearty and satisfying breakfast. While fresh baked is ideal, ham and cheese croissants also freeze well for quick and easy meals.
Freezing allows you to:
- Make ahead when you have time
- Pull from freezer and bake anytime
- Always have a tasty breakfast on hand
- Save money by buying ingredients in bulk
- Reduce food waste from uneaten leftovers
Follow the guidance below for properly freezing and reheating ham and cheese croissants. With the right techniques, you can enjoy bakery-quality frozen croissants from your own freezer.
Tips for Freezing Ham and Cheese Croissants
Here are some best practices for freezing ham and cheese croissants
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Freeze croissants after baking and cooling. Freezing raw dough can alter texture.
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Allow baked croissants to cool completely before freezing so no condensation forms
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Individually wrap cooled croissants tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents freezer burn.
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Place wrapped croissants in freezer bags or airtight containers, excluding air.
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Label bags clearly with contents and freeze-by date for easy identification.
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Arrange croissants in a single layer when freezing to keep shape.
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Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
Following these steps locks in freshness and prevents soggy croissants when thawed.
Can You Freeze Unbaked Croissant Dough?
It’s best to fully bake croissants before freezing to maintain the optimal flaky texture. Freezing unbaked croissant dough can cause the dough to absorb excess moisture and become dense or chewy when thawed and baked.
However, one Reddit user reported decent results freezing unbaked ham and cheese croissant dough for 1-2 weeks. They kept the dough cold while working to prevent butter from softening prematurely. Then they wrapped each croissant individually and froze on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag. The thawed baked croissants were still flaky but slightly denser than fresh.
So freezing unbaked dough may work for short term storage only. For best quality, it’s still better to bake croissants first before freezing.
How to Reheat Frozen Croissants
To serve warm flaky croissants from the freezer:
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Thaw frozen croissants in the refrigerator overnight. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Place croissants on a baking sheet.
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Bake until warmed through, about 10 minutes. Avoid overbaking or croissants may get tough.
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For a crispy exterior, brush thawed croissants with egg wash before baking.
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Microwave individual croissants for 30 seconds to 1 minute until warmed.
Check that croissants are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest briefly before serving.
Adapting Any Stuffed Croissant Recipe for Freezing
The techniques for freezing ham and cheese croissants will work for virtually any filled croissant recipe. Here are some tips:
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Only freeze baked and completely cooled croissants to maintain flaky texture.
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Individually wrap cooled croissants well in plastic wrap or foil before bagging.
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Exclude air from freezer bags and use airtight containers for storage.
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Label bags clearly with contents and freeze-by date.
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Arrange wrapped croissants in a single layer in the freezer until solid.
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F oven.
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Adjust bake times as needed based on size of croissants.
Proper freezing and reheating lets you enjoy your favorite stuffed croissants fresh from the freezer any time.
Ideas for Savory and Sweet Fillings
Get creative with different fillings for your homemade freezer croissants. Savory ideas include:
- Ham and cheese
- Turkey, Swiss cheese, spinach
- Bacon, egg, and cheese
- Chicken, pesto, and mozzarella
For sweet croissants try:
- Chocolate chips
- Sliced strawberries and chocolate hazelnut spread
- Vanilla pastry cream with raspberries
- Caramel and banana
The possibilities are endless for gourmet stuffed croissants ready in a flash from your freezer.
Convenient Breakfasts on Hand
Having a stash of frozen stuffed croissants means you can prepare quick and easy breakfasts anytime. Just reheat a few croissants for a handheld meal on the go. Kids will also love grabbing a savory or sweet frozen croissant that they can quickly bake and eat in the morning.
Take advantage of time when you have it to bake and freeze a batch of ham and cheese croissants. Following the guidance above will ensure you have delicious frozen croissants ready whenever hunger strikes.
How to Make Freezer Friendly Breakfast Croissants
FAQ
How to store ham and cheese croissants?
Do croissants freeze well?
How long does a ham and cheese croissant last?
How long to heat up frozen ham and cheese croissant?
Can ham & cheese croissants be frozen?
Ham and cheese croissants can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator if frozen, then reheat in a 250°-300° oven on a foil-covered sheet until the ham is warm and the cheese is melted or wrap in foil and heat in the air fryer at 300°F for 5 minutes or until heated through.
Can croissants be frozen?
Here is the simplest way to freeze croissants: STEP 1: Make sure your croissants are as fresh as possible before putting them in the freezer. Bake your croissants in the oven or get them fresh from the store. You want your croissants to be fresh before freezing them in order to maintain their shape and texture during the freezing process.
How do you freeze croissants?
Step 1: Take a piece of plastic wrap and wrap it around the croissants. Make sure to wrap each croissant individually. Step 2: Cover the croissants once or twice more in layers of plastic wrap—this step is crucial to keep air out. Step 3: If the plastic wrap doesn’t seal well onto itself, use freezer tape to secure it into place.
How long do ham & cheese croissants last?
Brush with butter, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake until golden brown. Ham and cheese croissants will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in a 250°-300° oven on a sheet loosely covered with foil until the ham is heated through and the cheese has remelted.