Description
Elevate your brunch game with this stunningly simple yet incredibly elegant Savory Croissant Breakfast Pie. This recipe masterfully transforms day-old croissants into a golden-baked masterpiece. Imagine flaky, buttery croissant tops giving way to a rich, savory custard center, all loaded with melted cheese and smoky bacon. It’s the perfect, crowd-pleasing dish that feels special enough for a holiday but is easy enough for any lazy weekend. Get ready for a symphony of textures and flavors in every single bite!
Ingredients
4 day-old croissants, torn into bite-sized chunks
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups whole milk or heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup chopped chives or green onions (optional)
4 strips cooked beef bacon or turkey bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, for greasing
Instructions
Prep the Dish and Croissants
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9-inch pie dish with butter. Tear the croissants into bite-sized chunks and arrange them evenly in the prepared dish.
Whisk the Custard
In a large bowl, gently whisk the eggs. Then, mix in the milk or cream, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and optional chives until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Pie
Scatter the chopped, cooked bacon evenly over the croissants in the pie dish. Pour the egg mixture over the top, gently pressing the croissants down with a spatula to help them soak in the custard. Finish by sprinkling the shredded cheese over everything.
Bake to Perfection
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is puffy and golden brown. You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
Rest and Serve
This is a crucial step! Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the custard to fully set, ensuring you get clean, perfect slices.
Notes
Use Day-Old Croissants: Stale croissants are essential for the best texture. They are drier and will absorb the custard perfectly without becoming soggy.
Press for Flavor: Gently push the croissants into the egg mixture to ensure every piece is saturated with the savory custard, preventing any dry spots.
Veggie Variation: For a vegetarian option, swap the bacon for 1 cup of sautéed mushrooms and a handful of fresh spinach. Be sure to cook the vegetables first to remove excess water.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble this pie the night before. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. The next morning, let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the bake time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6th of pie)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 230
Keywords: croissant breakfast pie, savory breakfast casserole, bacon and egg croissant bake, brunch recipe, breakfast pie, leftover croissants, easy breakfast recipe