Croissant Breakfast Bake with Ham, Cheese, and Black Pepper Gravy

There is something undeniably comforting about a breakfast bake that brings everything together in one dish. This Croissant Breakfast Bake is rich, savory, and indulgent in the best way. Buttery croissants are stuffed with ham, crispy bacon, and melty gruyere and mozzarella, then soaked in a savory egg custard infused with shallots and chives. Once baked, the croissants turn golden and crisp on top while staying soft and custardy underneath. The final touch is a silky black pepper gravy that takes every bite over the top. Perfect for holidays, brunch gatherings, or a slow weekend morning when you want breakfast to feel special.

Why You’ll Love This Croissant Breakfast Bake

• Made with flaky croissants that soak up the custard beautifully
• Packed with savory ham, bacon, and two kinds of cheese
• Easy to prep ahead for stress-free mornings
• Perfect for brunch, holidays, or feeding a crowd
• Finished with a rich black pepper gravy for extra comfort

Ingredients for Croissant Breakfast Bake

Ham and Cheese Croissants

• Mini croissants
• Thinly sliced ham
• Bacon, cooked
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Gruyere cheese, shredded

Savory Egg Custard

• Large eggs
• Half and half
• Chives, minced
• Shallots, minced
• Garlic, minced or paste
• Salt
• Black pepper

Black Pepper Gravy

• Heavy cream
• Unsalted butter
• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

How to Make the Egg Custard for Breakfast Bake

Add all ingredients listed under the egg custard to a bowl. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Set aside while you prepare the remaining components.

How to Make Creamy Black Pepper Gravy

Add the unsalted butter to a pan over medium-low heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

Slowly stream in the heavy cream while continuously whisking. As you whisk, the gravy will begin to thicken and come together.

Once thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove from heat and season with salt and black pepper. Set aside until ready to serve.

How to Assemble Ham and Cheese Croissants

Slice the croissants lengthwise and stuff generously with ham, gruyere cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cooked bacon. Close each croissant and cut in half. Repeat until all croissants are filled and sliced.

How to Assemble and Bake Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Evenly arrange the ham and cheese croissants in an 8×11 baking dish. Fill in any gaps with any remaining ham, bacon, mozzarella, and gruyere cheese.

Slowly pour the shallot and chive infused egg custard evenly over the croissants, making sure everything is well coated. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and the custard is fully set.

How to Serve Croissant Breakfast Bake

Serve the bake warm with a generous side of black pepper gravy for spooning over the top. This dish pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, a simple green salad, or a hot cup of coffee for a complete brunch spread.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, cover loosely with foil and warm in a 325F oven until heated through. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave until warm. Serve with extra black pepper gravy if available.

There’s something magical about a slow morning when the smell of bacon and syrup fills the kitchen. These Thick & Stuffed Pancakes take your classic stack and turn them into something unforgettable, with fluffy layers of golden pancake wrapped around smoky bacon, melted cheddar, and soft, buttery eggs. Every bite hits that perfect balance of sweet and savory, making breakfast feel extra special.

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

• Sweet meets savory – A dreamy blend of crispy bacon, melted cheddar, and syrupy sweetness in every forkful.
• Hearty and satisfying – These pancakes are thick, rich, and loaded with breakfast favorites all in one bite.
• Perfect for brunch – A show-stopping recipe that’s simple to make but feels indulgent enough for a weekend treat.
• Customizable – Add sausage, different cheeses, or even a drizzle of hot honey for a twist.

Ingredients

Pancake Batter

• Hungry Jack pancake and waffle mix
• Whole milk

Fluffy Eggs

• Large eggs, beaten
• Unsalted butter
• Salt
• Pepper

Filling

• Mild cheddar, shredded
• Thick cut bacon, cooked and chopped
• Hungry Jack original syrup, plus more for serving
• Unsalted butter, for cooking

Instructions

Fluffy Eggs

• To a pan over medium low heat, add butter. Once melted, pour in the beaten eggs and gently move them around the pan, bringing the outside toward the center until large curds start to form.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook until the eggs are fluffy. Set aside.

Pancake Batter

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients listed under “Pancake Batter” and stir until incorporated. Set aside.

Assemble

• To a small (8-inch) pan over low heat, add a few tablespoons of unsalted butter.
• Once melted and slightly bubbling, add enough batter to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Add a drizzle of syrup, the fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and shredded cheddar.
• Top with just enough batter to cover the ingredients.
• Allow to cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Once the edges are set and small bubbles start to form through the batter, carefully flip and cook on the other side for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Once cooked through, serve immediately with butter and more syrup.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. For a crispier texture, reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes.

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Thick & Stuffed Pancakes

There’s something magical about a slow morning when the smell of bacon and syrup fills the kitchen. These Thick & Stuffed Pancakes take your classic stack and turn them into something unforgettable, with fluffy layers of golden pancake wrapped around smoky bacon, melted cheddar, and soft, buttery eggs. Every bite hits that perfect balance of sweet and savory, making breakfast feel extra special.

Author kingcooks

Equipment

• 8 inch pan

Ingredients

• 1 cup mild cheddar shredded
• 2 cups cooked thick cut bacon chopped
• 1/4 cup Hungry Jack original syrup plus more for serving
• Unsalted butter for cooking

Fluffy Eggs

• 4-5 large eggs beaten
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Pancake Batter

• 2 cups Hungry Jack pancake and waffle mix
• 1 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

Fluffy Eggs

• To a pan over medium low heat add butter. Once the butter is melted, pour in the beaten eggs and gentle move around the pan bringing the outside into the center until large curds start to form.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook until the eggs are fluffy.

Pancake Batter

• In a large bowl combine all ingredients listed under “Pancake Batter” and stir until incorporated. Set aside.

Assemble

• To a small (8 inch pan) over low heat add a few tablespoons of unsalted butter.
• Once melted and slightly bubbling add enough batter to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Then, add a drizzle of syrup, the fluffy eggs, crispy bacon and shredded cheddar.
• Top with just enough batter to cover the ingredients.
• Allow to cook for 5-6 mins. Once the edges are set and small bubbles start to form through the batter, flip and cook on the other side for 4-5 minutes.
• Once cooked through serve immediately with butter and more syrup. Enjoy!

Beef + Potatoes + Cheese = YUM!

Golden, cheesy, and perfectly crisp, these Beef and Cheese Empanadas are the kind of recipe that stops conversations mid-bite. Tender pastry pockets are filled with a hearty beef and potato mixture, melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and fried until golden perfection. Each empanada gives you that beautiful contrast, crunchy on the outside, rich and gooey on the inside. And when dipped into the smoky, creamy chipotle mayo, it’s pure magic. Whether you’re making them for a party, a cozy dinner, or just because, these empanadas promise to hit every craving at once.

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

• Perfectly crispy texture: Each empanada fries up golden and crunchy, with a flaky shell that holds the filling beautifully.
• Savory and cheesy filling: The blend of beef, potatoes, and two kinds of cheese creates an irresistible balance of hearty and melty goodness.
• Smoky chipotle mayo: Adds a creamy, tangy finish that complements the empanadas perfectly.
• Great for any occasion: They’re portable, crowd-pleasing, and make an impressive appetizer or main dish.
• Make-ahead friendly: The filling can be prepped in advance, so all that’s left is to assemble and fry.

Ingredients

Empanadas

• Empanada wrappers
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• Canola oil, for frying
• Olive oil, for cooking

Beef and Potato Filling

• Ground beef
• Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• Water
• Onions, chopped
• Flour
• Garlic, minced
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Paprika

Creamy Chipotle Mayo

• Mayo
• Sour cream
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Sugar

Instructions

Chipotle Mayo

• Blend together all ingredients listed under “Creamy Chipotle Mayo” until smooth.
• Set aside until ready to serve.

Beef and Potato Filling

• In a pan over medium heat, add a little olive oil and sauté the ground beef.
• Once browned, add the onions, minced garlic, and diced potatoes. Cook until onions are translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Season with salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
• Stir in the flour until it’s fully absorbed by the mixture.
• Add just enough water to cover the ingredients and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Allow the sauce to thicken and the potatoes to become tender.
• When most of the water has evaporated and the filling has a thick consistency, remove from heat and let it cool completely.

Assemble the Empanadas

• Place an empanada wrapper on a clean, flat surface.
• Add a small handful of mozzarella and cheddar cheese to one half of the wrapper, leaving a half-inch border.
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cooled beef and potato filling on top of the cheese.
• Add another light sprinkle of both cheeses over the filling.
• Fold the wrapper in half to form a half-moon shape.
• Press the edges together, then crimp with a fork to seal.
• Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling. This should make about 10 to 12 empanadas.

Fry the Empanadas

• Heat canola oil in a large pot to 350°F.
• Fry the empanadas in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
• Remove and let them rest on a cooling rack to drain excess oil.

Serve

• Serve warm with the creamy chipotle mayo for dipping.

Storage and Reheating

• Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 5 minutes or in the oven until warm and crispy.
• Freeze uncooked empanadas for up to 2 months. Fry directly from frozen, adding about 1 extra minute to the cook time.

These Beef and Cheese Empanadas are crispy, cheesy, and full of comforting flavor. Once you try them, they’ll become your new go-to snack or appetizer for any occasion.

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Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Golden, crispy, and irresistibly cheesy, these Beef and Cheese Empanadas are the ultimate comfort food you didn’t know you needed. Each bite wraps you in layers of flaky pastry, melted mozzarella and cheddar, and a rich beef and potato filling that’s spiced to perfection. The creamy chipotle mayo on the side adds a smoky, tangy kick that ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re serving them as a party appetizer, a game-day snack, or a satisfying weeknight treat, these empanadas deliver that crave-worthy crunch and gooey, savory goodness that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Servings 10 empanadas

Author kingcooks

Ingredients

• 10-12 Empanada wrappers
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded
• Canola oil for frying
• Olive oil for cooking

Beef & Potato Filling

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup russet potatoes peeled and diced
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup onions chopped
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika

Creamy Chipotle Mayo

• 1 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp sugar

Instructions

Chipotle Mayo

• Blend together all ingredients listed under “Creamy Chipotle Mayo” until smooth and set aside.

Beef & Potato Filling

• To a pan over medium heat, add some olive oil and sauté the ground beef.
• Once browned, add onions, mined garlic and the diced potatoes. Continue to cook until the onions become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
• Season with salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder and paprika.
• Stir in flour and mix to combine until the flour is absorbed.
• Then, add just enough water to cover and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• As it cooks, the flour will help create a thick gravy that will hold everything together.
• Once most of the water has evaporated and the potatoes are cooked through, removed from heat and set aside to cool.

Assemble

• Place a 6-inch empanada wrapper on a clean, flat surface or cutting board.
• Add a layer of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese to one half of the wrapper, leaving about a half-inch border around the edge to allow for sealing.
• Spoon a generous spoonful of the cooled beef and potato filling over the cheese layer. Be careful not to overfill. About 2 tablespoons of filling is ideal to prevent leakage.
• Top with more mozzarella and cheddar cheese. This double layer of cheese adds flavor and helps bind the filling as well.
• Carefully fold the empanada wrapper in half to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal, then crimp the edges using the tips of a fork to ensure the empanada is tightly closed.
• Continue assembling the remaining empanadas using the same method. This should make 10-12 empanadas.
• Heat a large pot of canola oil to 350F.
• Working in batches fry the empanadas until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
• Once cooked, rest on a cooling rack until you’re ready to eat.
• Serve with the creamy chipotle mayo and enjoy!