Starbucks Ham and Swiss Croissants are one of those bakery case favorites that make mornings feel a little more indulgent. This copycat version layers smoky ham and nutty Swiss cheese inside buttery crescent dough that bakes up golden and flaky. The combination of crisp pastry, savory ham, and melted cheese delivers the same comforting flavor as the coffee shop version. Prep takes about 10 minutes and baking takes about 15 minutes, making this an easy breakfast, brunch, or light lunch you can make at home.
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What makes the Starbucks Ham and Swiss Croissant perfect to recreate at home?
The Starbucks Ham and Swiss Croissant has become one of the most recognizable breakfast sandwiches served in coffee shops across the United States. The appeal comes from its balance of textures and flavors.
A flaky croissant crust surrounds warm savory ham and melty Swiss cheese. The slightly nutty flavor of Swiss pairs perfectly with the smoky richness of the ham, while the pastry provides a buttery crisp exterior.
This easy copycat version uses refrigerated crescent dough to recreate the same layered pastry texture without requiring traditional croissant laminating. The result is a quick homemade version that tastes remarkably close to the original.
Ingredients and their roles
For a Starbucks Ham and Cheese Croissant, you’ll need:
- Deli ham, cut thinly (Starbucks uses the hickory-smoked variety) – brings a savory, smoky flavor that balances the richness of the cheese and buttery crescent roll.
- Swiss cheese, cut thinly – melts fully, and adds a mild, nutty flavor and a moderate cheese pull to the sandwich.
- Crescent roll dough, refrigerated tube – acts as an easy and economical substitute for traditional croissants. The dough is easy to wrap around the filling, and it puffs up wonderfully in the oven.
- Egg – gives the top of the croissants a beautiful golden-brown color and a shiny gloss.
Water – thins the egg for the egg wash, allowing an even coating on the dough.
How to make a Starbucks Ham and Swiss Croissant
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the sliced ham in a single layer in the hot skillet and sear on both sides until lightly browned. Take the ham out of the skillet and lay it on paper towels to cool.
- Cut the Swiss cheese slices in half to form two rectangles and put aside for later.
- Open the tube of crescent rolls and divide the dough into the pre-scored triangles.
- Take one triangle of dough and place it on the work surface with the widest edge closest to you.
- Lay one piece of cut Swiss cheese on the bread. Place one slice of seared ham on top. If the ham is too wide, fold it to fit neatly on top of the cheese.
- Fold the bottom edge of the dough over the filling. Continue to roll away from you. Place the filled croissant on a baking sheet with the exposed corner of the triangle underneath. This keeps the bundle from unraveling.
- Continue folding the sandwiches with the remaining dough. Make sure there is at least an inch and a half between each sandwich on the baking sheet.
- Mix together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash onto the top and sides of the dough.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and let the food cool for about five minutes before serving.
What to serve with a Ham and Cheese Croissant from Starbucks
Ham-and-Swiss cheese-stuffed croissants make a great grab-and-go snack, but if you have time to sit down, why not add something extra to make it a real meal? Below are a few suggestions.
Starbucks London Fog Tea Latte – A London Fog Latte combines bright, citrusy bergamot-heavy Earl Grey with sweet vanilla simple syrup. Add a touch of steamed milk for one unbelievable beverage that’s so good even non-tea drinkers end up ordering it.
McDonald’s Fruit and Yogurt Parfait – Cold and creamy, with a touch of sweetness and a load of crunch. This parfait is loaded with fresh berries, low-fat vanilla yogurt, and plenty of granola. They’re easy to make and perfect for a snack or a healthy dessert.
Anthony’s Caesar Salad – Caesar Salads are quick and simple to prepare. You’ll forget all about those store-bought dressings when you try this homemade dressing that has all the zip and complexity of the classic Caesar dressing without using any raw eggs.
Storage and reheating instructions for a Starbucks Ham and Cheese Croissant
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Allow croissants to cool completely before refrigerating.
Reheating Method: Reheat on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes until warmed through.
Freezer Storage: Freeze croissants in airtight freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
Love the food at Starbucks? Make these copycat recipes!
- Bacon and Gouda Breakfast Sandwich
- Blueberry Muffin
- Ham and Cheddar Egg Bites
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Potato, Cheddar, and Chive Bake
- Tomato and Mozzarella Foccacia Sandwich
Check out more of my easy copycat Starbucks recipes to recreate the coffee shop experience at home.
Starbucks Ham and Swiss Croissant
Ingredients
- 8 slices hickory-smoked or Black Forest deli ham (or 4 slices cut in half)
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 4 slices Swiss cheese cut in half
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the ham slices for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, until browned and slightly crispy. Remove from the pan and let cool slightly on a paper towel. This will prevent the ham from melting the dough.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a baking sheet and separate it into triangles along the perforated lines.
- Place a half-slice of Swiss cheese on the wide end of the triangle. Place the cooled ham on top of the cheese. The ham and cheese should fit neatly on the dough; if either one is too long, fold or cut it to fit the dough.
- Starting at the wide end with the filling, gently roll the dough toward the pointed tip.
- Make sure the crescent rolls are adequately spaced on the baking sheet so that they do not touch one another. The pointed tip of the dough should be tucked underneath each roll to prevent them from unrolling during baking.
- Combine the egg and water in a small bowl and beat with a fork or small whisk until well combined. Brush the egg wash over the crescent rolls.
- Bake for 12 to 17 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before eating, as the cheese inside will be extremely hot.
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