Croissants are a buttery, flaky French pastry that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most popular foods and beverages that complement the delicious taste of croissants.
Spreads
Butter – A classic! Butter complements the flaky layers of a croissant perfectly. Spread it generously on a warm croissant.
Jam – Fruit jam, such as strawberry, raspberry or apricot, provides a sweet contrast to the richness of croissants. Jam also helps cut through the buttery layers.
Nutella – For chocolate lovers, Nutella is a perfect match with croissants. The chocolate-hazelnut flavor combines beautifully with the flaky pastry.
Honey – Drizzle or spread some honey on a croissant for added sweetness. The floral notes of honey pair nicely with croissants.
Peanut butter – For a more savory option, go with creamy peanut butter. It adds nutty flavor and protein.
Whipped cream cheese – Light and tangy cream cheese spread gives croissants a lovely texture contrast.
Ricotta cheese – Fresh ricotta cheese, either plain or infused with herbs, makes a nice alternative to butter or jam.
Pesto – Basil or sun-dried tomato pesto provides a savory, herby flavor when spread on croissants.
Chocolate-Hazelnut spread – For an indulgent treat, use chocolate-hazelnut spreads like Nutella for ultimate chocolate decadence.
Fillings
Ham & cheese – A classic hot sandwich filling! Bake ham and cheese inside a croissant for a satisfying meal.
Spinach & feta – Sautéed spinach and creamy feta cheese make a tasty vegetarian filling for croissants.
Tuna salad – Flaky tuna salad is perfect tucked inside a croissant for a portable lunch.
Chicken salad – Shredded chicken seasoned with herbs and mayo is delicious with croissants.
Egg salad – Hard boiled eggs mashed with mayo and mustard complement croissants nicely.
Cream cheese & lox – A beloved New York combo! Smoked salmon and cream cheese pair beautifully when stuffed into a croissant.
Prosciutto & arugula – Salty prosciutto and peppery arugula make a nice savory filling for croissants.
Caprese – Slices of fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil are perfect inside a croissant.
Breakfast – Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, cheese make hearty breakfast croissant sandwiches.
Leftovers – yesterday’s pot roast, pulled pork, or grilled veggies taste great stuffed into croissants.
Fruits
Fresh fruit – Slices of apple, pear, peach, nectarine, plum, or berries taste delicious with croissants.
Dried fruit – Try figs, apricots, cranberries, cherries, or raisins on croissants for added nutrition.
Banana – Slices of ripe banana complement the buttery layers of croissants.
Mango – Sweet mango slices pair nicely with plain croissants.
Kiwi – Tangy kiwi slices provide a bright pop of flavor and color.
Pomegranate arils – Sweet-tart pomegranate seeds make pretty, antioxidant-rich toppings.
Nuts and seeds
Almonds – Sliced almonds add crunchy texture and nutty flavor when sprinkled on croissants.
Walnuts – Toasted walnuts pair well with sweet and savory croissant toppings.
Pecans – Chopped or halved pecans add richness to both sweet and savory croissants.
Pistachios – Sweet pistachios lend their pretty green color and flavor to croissants.
Hazelnuts – Toasted, chopped hazelnuts provide nuttiness that complements croissants beautifully.
Pine nuts – Buttery toasted pine nuts are delicious sprinkled onto croissants.
Sesame seeds – White or black sesame seeds add satisfying crunch and flavor.
Pumpkin seeds – Savory roasted pumpkin seeds add an autumnal flair.
Sunflower seeds – Nutty sunflower seeds pair well with sweet or savory toppings.
Flax seeds – Sprinkling flax seeds adds nutrition and crunch to croissants.
Cheeses
Cheddar – Sharp cheddar adds bold flavor when paired with croissants.
Swiss – Nutty, melty Swiss cheese is perfect with baked croissant sandwiches.
Gouda – Smoky gouda balances nicely with something sweet like jam on croissants.
Brie – Soft, creamy brie and croissants are a classic combination.
Goat Cheese – Tangy, herby goat cheese pairs beautifully with croissants.
Gruyère – Ooey, gooey Gruyère melted over a croissant is hard to beat.
Blue Cheese – Strong, salty flavors that melt wonderfully in a hot croissant.
Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil make an iconic croissant sandwich filling.
Provolone – Nutty, melty provolone is great in baked croissant sandwiches.
Parmesan – Sharp, salty parmesan contrasts nicely with sweet croissant toppings.
Meats
Bacon – Crispy bacon takes a croissant sandwich over the top.
Ham – Baked ham pairs perfectly with cheese inside a hot croissant.
Sausage – Spicy sausage patties or links are tasty in breakfast croissants.
Turkey – Sliced turkey breast makes a nice lunchtime croissant sandwich.
Roast beef – Tender slices of rare roast beef with horseradish sauce taste delicious on croissants.
Salami – Thinly sliced salami adds a savory, salty flavor to croissants.
Pastrami – Smoky seasoned pastrami piled high takes croissants to a deli-style level.
Prosciutto – Paper-thin prosciutto lends a sophisticated saltiness to croissants.
Chicken – Grilled, breaded or roasted chicken fills out a croissant sandwich nicely.
Tuna – Flaky tuna salad is a classic croissant sandwich filling.
Vegetables
Tomato – Sliced ripe tomatoes provide moisture and bright flavor.
Onion – Sautéed onions lend savoriness when added to croissant sandwiches.
Lettuce – Crisp lettuce adds texture and freshness.
Spinach – Sautéed or raw baby spinach leaves taste great in croissants.
Sprouts – Alfalfa or bean sprouts provide crunch.
Avocado – Sliced or mashed avocado provides creaminess.
Roasted red peppers – Sweet, smoky roasted peppers pair beautifully with croissants.
Arugula – Peppery arugula gives a nice spicy kick.
Asparagus – Blanched or roasted asparagus spears make lovely fillings.
Eggplant – Grilled eggplant, tomato and mozzarella make flavorful croissant melts.
Sauces and Condiments for Croissants
Mayonnaise – An easy way to add moisture to sandwiches.
Mustard – Yellow, Dijon or whole grain mustards all complement croissants.
Aioli – Garlicky aioli spread adds tons of flavor.
Pesto – Basil or sun-dried tomato pesto makes a tasty spread.
Hummus – Chickpea hummus adds creaminess and nutrition.
Tzatziki – Cool, creamy cucumber tzatziki sauce pairs nicely with croissants.
Hollandaise – Buttery, lemony hollandaise sauce takes croissants up a notch.
Marinara – Savory tomato sauce baked into a croissant is divine.
Barbecue Sauce – Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce complements meats in croissants.
Ranch – Cool, herby ranch dressing tastes great with croissants.
Honey Mustard – Sweet honey mustard adds flair to croissant sandwiches.
Beverages to Enjoy with Croissants
Coffee – A quintessential match with a croissant! Enjoy a croissant with a hot cup of coffee.
Tea – Pair croissants with tea, either hot or iced. Fruity and herbal teas work nicely.
Hot chocolate – For an indulgent treat, dunk a croissant into a mug of steaming hot chocolate.
Milk – Cold milk balances and washes down a flaky, buttery croissant.
Orange juice – Refreshing, sweet orange juice complements plain or chocolate croissants.
Mimosa – Make brunch fancy with a croissant and mimosa cocktail.
Wine – Croissants pair nicely with sparkling wines or lighter reds like Pinot Noir.
Beer – Enjoy a croissant with a Belgian wheat ale or lager.
Cider – Warm apple cider and a croissant make a perfect fall treat.
Lemonade – Tart lemonade cuts through the richness of croissants.
Smoothies – Pair fruity smoothies with plain or chocolate croissants.
Conclusion
With their irresistible flaky, buttery layers, croissants are the perfect vehicle for both sweet and savory flavors. From Nutella to egg salad, the possibilities for delicious croissant pairings are nearly endless. Whether enjoyed as part of breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, croissants complement a wide variety of foods, cheeses and beverages beautifully. So go ahead – experiment with different croissant combinations and enjoy discovering your personal favorites!