Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole: Holiday Brunch Recipes

Introduction

When the holiday season arrives, everyone craves a festive breakfast that’s rich in flavor but easy to prepare. This Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate answer: prepare everything the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and enjoy a decadent, golden breakfast that’s sure to impress a crowd. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any holiday brunch, balancing savory, creamy, and buttery notes in every bite.

Why Make This Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole?

This casserole shines thanks to the flaky croissants—soaking up a rich custard overnight—resulting in a pillowy, flavor-packed interior and a golden, crisped top. It’s endlessly customizable, feeds a crowd with little effort, and best of all, leaves your morning stress-free—no last minute scrambling, just bake and serve! Each spoonful feels like a holiday treat, yet the recipe’s technique is delightfully simple.

Creating the Perfect Custard Base

The secret to this casserole is its creamy custard that infuses every layer with savory depth. Fresh eggs, milk, and a touch of cream mingle with flavorful add-ins—think shredded cheese, smoky ham, or sautéed vegetables. Letting the casserole rest overnight ensures the croissants fully absorb the custard for a soft, soufflé-like interior with irresistible, crispy edges.

Assembling Your Holiday Croissant Casserole

Assembly couldn’t be easier: layer bite-sized croissant pieces in your baking dish, sprinkle with your preferred mix-ins, and pour the custard evenly over everything. A handful of extra cheese on top creates a beautiful, bubbly finish. Cover tightly and let rest overnight in the fridge—no fuss, no hassle, just sprinkle with additional herbs or cheese before baking, and your work is done.

Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping Holiday Brunch

Serve this golden casserole alongside a fresh fruit platter, crisp salad, or a side of crispy bacon for a complete brunch spread. Garnish with chopped herbs or a light dusting of paprika for color and extra flavor. It’s also delicious served with a simple hollandaise or a dollop of sour cream. Perfect for Christmas morning, New Year’s Day, or any celebration!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This casserole serves 8 generous portions. Each serving offers around 400–450 calories, depending on the amount of cheese or meat added. It’s filling, flavor-packed, and best enjoyed as a festive meal with family and friends.

Holiday Brunch Casserole (Recap)

With its luxurious texture, savory flavor, and stress-free preparation, this Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole is a true crowd pleaser and perfect for holiday brunches—guaranteed to become a seasonal tradition!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch or similar casserole dish. Layer the torn croissant pieces evenly in the dish.
2. If using, sprinkle cooked ham/sausage and veggies over the croissants. Top with half the shredded cheese.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Pour the custard over the croissants, ensuring all pieces are moistened. Press gently to submerge.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Cover the casserole tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover the casserole and let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats.
7. Bake for 40–50 minutes or until the top is golden and the casserole is set in the middle. If browning too soon, tent with foil for the last 15 minutes.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole is not just for holidays! Make it a meal-prep staple—slice and store leftovers for grab-and-go breakfasts all week. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your brunch days and let CookifyAI generate smart, consolidated shopping lists for all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient quantities across recipes for the week
– Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section for fast, focused trips
– Prevents missing or duplicate ingredients
– Keeps meal prep structured and stress-free

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes—CookifyAI will intelligently combine shared ingredients, saving you money and time, and helping reduce kitchen waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rest/Chill Time: Overnight (or at least 4 hours)
Cook Time: 40–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour active (plus overnight chill)