Our recipe for Ham and Cheese Crescent Rolls is next level. Crafted with homemade dough, each roll enfolds savory ham and melty mozzarella. This kid-favorite, big-batch recipe works well to make ahead and freeze, too.
Delicious ham and cheese croissants are a convenient grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Putting them in the fridge, on the other hand, will only make the croissants stale after a few days. How can you keep freshly baked ham and cheese croissants fresh for longer? Freeze them!
Freezing allows you to stock up on freshly-baked ham and cheese croissants and enjoy them for weeks after baking With proper freezing and thawing techniques, they’ll taste and feel just-baked when you’re ready to eat them.
Follow these easy steps to successfully freeze and thaw ham and cheese croissants:
Why Freeze Ham and Cheese Croissants?
There are several benefits to freezing leftover ham and cheese croissants:
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Extends freshness – Keeps them tasting great for up to 1 month frozen
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Saves money – Bake a big batch and freeze extras to save time later
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Reduces waste – Frozen croissants won’t go stale and get tossed
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Provides convenience – Always have a quick breakfast or snack on hand
Freezing is ideal if you baked too many ham and cheese croissants or want to do meal prep for busy mornings.
How to Prepare Croissants for Freezing
To prep ham and cheese croissants for the freezer:
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Allow to cool fully after baking – don’t freeze hot
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Make sure any cheese fillings are chilled through
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Wrap individually in plastic wrap or foil
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Place in resealable freezer bags
Wrapping each croissant prevents them from sticking together when frozen. Get as much air out of bags as possible to reduce freezer burn.
Step-by-Step Freezing Process
To freeze baked ham and cheese croissants:
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Cool croissants completely after baking, at least 2 hours
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Double wrap each croissant tightly in plastic wrap
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Place individually wrapped croissants in freezer bag(s)
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Squeeze out excess air and seal bag(s)
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Lay flat in single layer in freezer to freeze quickly
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Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality
Avoid stacking bags or letting croissants touch while freezing. This can cause them to stick together permanently.
Thawing Ham and Cheese Croissants
To properly thaw frozen ham and cheese croissants:
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Thaw croissants in the refrigerator overnight
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Leave wrapped while thawing – unwrap just before reheating
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Avoid thawing at room temperature or in the microwave
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Consume within 3-4 days of thawing
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Do not refreeze after thawing
Slow thawing in the fridge prevents insides from getting mushy. Thawed croissants will keep 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
How to Reheat Ham and Cheese Croissants
To reheat thawed ham and cheese croissants:
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Preheat oven to 350°F
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Unwrap croissants and place on baking sheet
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Bake 7-8 minutes until heated through and crispy
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Eat warm
Baking restores the crispy crust. Microwaving makes croissants rubbery. Let baked croissants sit 1-2 minutes before eating.
How Long Do They Last Frozen?
In proper 0°F freezer storage, frozen ham and cheese croissants last:
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1 month for best quality
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2-3 months absolute max before noticeable decline in flavor/texture
The buttery croissant dough doesn’t hold up extremely long term when frozen. For optimal freshness and taste, consume within 1 month.
Tips for Freezing Success
Follow these tips for freeze-and-eat ham and cheese croissants:
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Double wrap in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn
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Use freezer bags designed for long-term freezing
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Exclude as much air from bags as possible before sealing
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Freeze in single layer on trays before bagging
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Label bags with contents and freeze date
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Thaw in refrigerator before reheating in oven
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Never refreeze thawed croissants
Proper freezing and thawing techniques help ham and cheese croissants retain their flavor and texture after defrosting.
Enjoy Fresh-Baked Flavor Later
When craving a ham and cheese croissant, don’t settle for a stale refrigerated one. For up to a month of fresh-from-the-oven flavor and texture, utilize your freezer.
Freezing lets you get multiple fast and convenient breakfasts or snacks from one batch of baked ham and cheese croissants. Just remember to wrap well, exclude air, freeze flat, and bake before eating after thawing.
With the right freezing and storage methods, you can enjoy bakery-fresh ham and cheese croissants even when short on time!
Roll Up the Ingredients
Starting at the larger end of the cut, begin rolling the dough forward.
Don’t stress when a bit of the shredded cheese falls out. It’s inevitable.
“What Bread Machine Do You Use?”
I don’t need a bread machine with a lot of bells and whistles. I need a quality, reliable bread machine. I’ve found this Oster brand to work great for the recipes I use.
How to Make Freezer Friendly Breakfast Croissants
FAQ
How to store ham and cheese croissants?
Do croissants freeze well?
How do you cook frozen ham and cheese croissants?
How do you reheat ham and cheese croissants?
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.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
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.
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.