Our cheesy ham bread pudding is the ultimate comfort food breakfast. Loaded with buttery croissants, smoky Canadian bacon, two kinds of cheese, and a rich egg custard, this savory casserole is hearty enough for holiday mornings but easy enough for a weekend brunch at home.
Every bite is packed with creamy, cheesy goodness, and the croissant loaf soaks up all of the flavors as it bakes. Whether you're feeding a crowd or meal prepping breakfast for the week, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
For more easy breakfast feasts, try our breakfast casserole with biscuits, ham and cheese hash brown casserole, or sausage gravy breakfast pizza.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying
- Perfect for brunches and holiday gatherings
- Easy to prepare ahead of time
- Uses simple ingredients
- Great for feeding a crowd
- Loaded with ham, cheese, and buttery croissants
- Delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Croissant Loaf: The buttery, flaky bread soaks up the egg mixture and bakes into a rich, soft center with crispy edges.
- Eggs: Hold everything together and create the fluffy, custard-like texture that makes breakfast casseroles so satisfying.
- Milk & Heavy Cream: Combine to make the casserole extra creamy and rich while keeping the bread from drying out.
- Cheddar & Swiss Cheese: Cheddar adds a sharp, cheesy flavor, while Swiss brings a mild, slightly nutty taste that pairs perfectly with the ham.
- Canadian Bacon: Adds smoky, savory flavor and plenty of protein without overpowering the dish.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and depth to the casserole, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream.
Variations
- Swap the Bacon: Try diced ham, cooked sausage, or crispy bacon.
- Sweet and Savory Bacon Bread Pudding: Swap the Canadian bacon with our candied smoked bacon.
- Change the Cheese: Use Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or mozzarella instead of Swiss cheese.
- Add Veggies: Sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers are great additions.
- Try Different Bread: Replace the croissant loaf with French bread or sourdough.
- Add Herbs: Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives before serving.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread.
How to Make Cheesy Ham Bread Pudding
1: Cube the croissant loaf and quarter the Canadian bacon.
2: Whisk the custard ingredients in a large mixing bowl until combined.
3: Spread the cubed bread evenly in the bottom of a prepared 9×13 baking dish. Then, top with the cheese, Canadian bacon, and custard.
4: Place cubed butter all over the top of the casserole and bake until golden brown and the center is set. Rest for several minutes, slice, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use day-old bread if possible so it absorbs the custard even better.
- Press the bread down gently to help every piece soak up the egg mixture.
- Let the casserole rest before cutting to help it hold its shape.
- Shred your own cheese for the best melt and texture.
- Cover loosely with foil if the top begins browning too quickly.
Cheesy Ham Bread Pudding FAQs
Yes! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. Assemble the casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake it as directed.
Absolutely. The two can be used interchangeably, as Canadian bacon is a form of ham.
An all-butter croissant loaf creates an especially rich and tender texture, but French bread, brioche, sourdough, or day-old sandwich bread are all excellent alternatives.
When fresh bread is soaked in liquids, it turns into texture mush. Bread pudding made with fresh bread will most likely be soggy, heavy, and dense. Day-old bread can stand up to all that liquid without falling apart and creating that nice contrast of custardy soft inside with a nicely browned top.
The bread pudding is ready when the center is fully set and no longer jiggles. A knife inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean, and the top should be golden brown.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the casserole in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Yes. Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Great Pairings for Your Ham Bread Pudding
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Cheesy Ham Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 15 ounces all butter croissant loaf
- 9 large eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Swiss cheese
- 8 ounces Canadian bacon
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter, cubed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Grease a 9×13 pan and set aside.
- Dice bread into 1 1⁄2 inch cubes.
- Slice Canadian bacon into quarters.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, green onions, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard together.
- Add the bread to the casserole dish.
- Next, sprinkle the cheese and Canadian bacon over the bread.
- Pour the egg mixture over the top, covering all the bread.
- Gently push down any pieces of bread that weren’t covered and gently press in cheese.
- Dice butter into small cubes and randomly place over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes or until set.
Notes
- Use day-old bread if possible so it absorbs the custard even better.
- Press the bread down gently to help every piece soak up the egg mixture.
- Let the casserole rest before cutting to help it hold its shape.
- Shred your own cheese for the best melt and texture.
- Cover loosely with foil if the top begins browning too quickly.
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