If you’re craving a bakery-style breakfast but want it on your table in under 10 minutes, these Air Fryer Croissants stuffed with ham and melty cheese are your new best friend. You’ll get that irresistible flaky crunch with gooey, savory goodness inside — all without turning on your oven or waiting in line at a café. Brunch never looked so good (or easy)!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lightning-Fast Treat: You can have these Air Fryer Croissants hot and ready in just 10 minutes—perfect for busy mornings or snack attacks!
- Bakery Worthy Texture: Each bite delivers that crispy, flaky croissant exterior with deliciously melty cheese and ham inside, all straight from your air fryer.
- Completely Customizable: Switch up the fillings to suit your taste — go classic, make it vegetarian, or use whatever you have on hand.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Just four simple ingredients create a truly gourmet experience with no fuss at all!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sometimes the best recipes truly are the simplest! Each ingredient in these Air Fryer Croissants is essential: you’ll get delicate, buttery pastry, savory ham, and creamy cheese that meld together into the ultimate handheld treat.
- Croissants: Go for day-old bakery croissants or use store-bought – either will crisp beautifully in the air fryer and deliver that signature flaky crunch.
- Ham Slices: Delicious deli ham adds savory flavor and a touch of protein; feel free to try smoked ham, honey ham, or even leftover holiday ham for variety.
- Cheese Slices: Swiss, cheddar, or gouda are classic, but any good melting cheese will work wonders and give you those irresistible gooey layers.
Variations
One of the joys of Air Fryer Croissants is how easy they are to personalize. Play around with flavors, swap in veggies, or go all-in on breakfast style — you’re just a tweak or two away from making this recipe your own!
- Vegetarian Delight: Swap the ham for sautéed spinach, sliced tomatoes, or roasted peppers for a garden-fresh veggie version.
- Breakfast Croissants: Add a thin layer of scrambled eggs along with your ham and cheese to channel that ultimate brunch vibe.
- Spicy Kick: Use pepper jack cheese and a slice of spicy salami, or toss in a few pickled jalapeños for a zesty upgrade.
- Sweet & Savory: Try adding a thin swipe of Dijon mustard or a spoonful of sweet fig jam inside the croissant for a gourmet touch.
How to Make Air Fryer Croissants
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
This quick step is key for that golden, crispy finish. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C/350°F for about 5 minutes. That way, your croissants will start crisping up the moment they hit the basket.
Step 2: Slice and Fill Your Croissants
Grab your croissants and use a sharp knife and cutting board to slice each one in half, lengthwise — just like a sandwich roll. Layer on those ham slices and top with your choice of cheese, making sure every bite will get a perfect balance of flavors.
Step 3: Close and Arrange in Basket
Gently put the tops back on your filled croissants. Place them seam-side down in your air fryer basket, making sure there’s a bit of space between each one for airflow — you want that perfect crispy shell!
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Air fry the croissants for 2 minutes, or until they’re lightly golden and the cheese is perfectly melty. Keep a close eye on them — that gooey cheese can go from dreamy to drippy in a flash!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Croissants
- Choose the Right Croissants: Slightly stale croissants work best—they crisp up beautifully and soak up the cheesy goodness without going soggy.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give your Air Fryer Croissants some breathing room so that air can circulate and you get that perfect golden finish on all sides.
- Mix Up the Cheese: Combining two cheeses (like cheddar with a melty mozzarella) adds layers of flavor and extra stretch-factor inside your croissant.
- Keep an Eye on Cooking Time: Every air fryer is a little different, so check on your croissants after a minute or so to ensure they don’t over-brown—a little peeking is totally encouraged!
How to Serve Air Fryer Croissants
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs (like chives or parsley) over your Air Fryer Croissants for a pop of color and freshness, or add a light dusting of cracked black pepper for a little extra zing. A drizzle of honey mustard or a tiny swipe of Dijon on top can also elevate the flavor in just seconds.
Side Dishes
For breakfast or brunch, pair these croissants with a crisp green salad, a bowl of fruit, or a creamy tomato soup. If you’re serving them as a lunch feature, go classic French café-style with a side of cornichons and a handful of potato chips.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice each croissant into bite-sized pieces for a gorgeous party platter or brunch board, or serve whole with tiny cocktail flags for a café-inspired presentation. They’re also fantastic packed up for a picnic lunch—wrap them in parchment and stack in a basket for major picnic envy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Air Fryer Croissants left (lucky you!), let them cool to room temperature before wrapping tightly in foil or an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 days without losing that yummy flavor.
Freezing
These croissants actually freeze well! Just wrap each one individually and pop in a freezer bag—store for up to one month. When you’re ready for a quick and tasty snack, reheat straight from frozen for instant satisfaction.
Reheating
Pop your chilled or thawed croissant back in the air fryer at 160°C/320°F for 1–2 minutes, just until crispy and warmed through. This brings back all that fresh, bakery-fresh goodness without drying the croissant out!
FAQs
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Can I use mini croissants instead of regular ones?
Absolutely! Mini croissants are fabulous for appetizers or brunch. Just reduce the air fryer cooking time by about 30 seconds, since they’ll brown up even faster.
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What other cheese works well in Air Fryer Croissants?
Most melty cheeses will shine in this recipe—think mozzarella, provolone, Monterey Jack, or even a dab of cream cheese mixed with a sharper variety for extra richness.
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Do I need to oil or spray the air fryer basket?
Nope, croissants are buttery enough and won’t stick. If your air fryer tends to run hot or you’re using extra fillings, a quick spritz of nonstick spray on the basket will guarantee easy cleanup.
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Can I prep Air Fryer Croissants in advance?
Definitely! Assemble the filled croissants and refrigerate (covered) for up to a day ahead. When you’re ready, just air fry as directed for the ultimate speedy breakfast or snack.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give these Air Fryer Croissants a try — they’re my go-to for cozy, easy mornings and happy gatherings. With their crisp, buttery edges and melty, savory center, they’re proof you don’t need a fancy bakery (or much time!) to create something truly special. Enjoy every flaky bite!
PrintAir Fryer Croissants Recipe
Learn how to make delicious air fryer croissants stuffed with ham and cheese in just 10 minutes. These flaky pastries are perfect for a quick breakfast or snack!
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Croissants:
- 4 croissants
Fillings:
- 8 ham slices
- 4 cheese slices
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the Air Fryer to 180°C/350°F for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Croissants: Cut the croissants in half lengthways using a knife and chopping board.
- Assemble: Layer ham slices and cheese slices on each open croissant. Put the tops back on to close them.
- Cook: Place the croissants in the air fryer basket and cook for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and croissants are golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
