What do you eat croissants with?

Croissants are a buttery, flaky, viennoiserie pastry that originated in Austria but became popularized in France. They are a beloved breakfast pastry and go great with a variety of sweet and savory foods and drinks. Here are some of the most popular things to eat croissants with and recipes to try.

Table of Contents

Jam, jelly, and fruit spreads

One of the most classic ways to enjoy a croissant is with jam, jelly or fruit spreads. The sweet fruitiness pairs perfectly with the rich, buttery layers of the croissant. Some delicious fruit spread options include:

Strawberry jam
Raspberry jam
Apricot jam or jelly

Orange marmalade
Cherry preserves
Lemon curd

Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spreads

Here are a few quick and easy ways to serve croissants with fruit spreads:

Split a croissant in half and spread jam, jelly or fruit curd on both halves

Spread Nutella, honey or fruit preserves on a whole croissant
Make jam and butter sandwiches with croissants
Fill the center of a sliced croissant with lemon curd or chocolate-hazelnut spread

Butter

A classic French way to eat a croissant is with a generous smearing of butter. The rich butter complements the flaky layers of the croissant beautifully. Some ways to enjoy buttered croissants include:

Spread room temperature or melted butter on a hot, freshly baked croissant
Dip bites of croissant in melted butter

Spread herb butter, like chive or basil butter, over a croissant
Stuff a split croissant with a butter pat and let it melt inside

Cheese

Cheese and croissants are a match made in heaven! The salty, savory cheese balances the sweet, flaky croissant. Some delicious cheese options include:

Cream cheese – schmear plain or flavored cream cheese inside a split croissant
Brie – melt wedges of creamy brie over torn pieces of croissant
Goat cheese – pair tangy, herbed goat cheese spread with croissants

Gruyere – classic for croissants and French cuisine
Cheddar – add slices inside a croissant with ham for a breakfast sandwich
Mozzarella – excellent melted over or inside croissants

Meat and Eggs

Croissants also pair wonderfully with savory meats and eggs for a satisfying sandwich or breakfast:

Ham and Cheese – A Parisian breakfast classic! Add slices of ham and Gruyere or Emmental cheese
Sausage or Bacon – Slices of savory sausage or crispy bacon between croissant layers

Prosciutto – Slices of cured ham add a lovely saltiness
Scrambled Eggs – Either as a filling or served alongside
Smoked Salmon – Elegant and delicious with cream cheese or lemon-dill aioli

Turkey, Roast Beef or Pastrami – Leftover roasted or deli meats make tasty sandwiches
Chicken Salad – Chicken salad with grapes, nuts and mayo is delightful in croissants

Fruits and Vegetables

For a lighter and more refreshing filling, try using fresh fruits and vegetables. Some ideas include:

Sliced tomatoes – With mozzarella, basil and balsamic for a Caprese croissant
Avocado – Sliced or mashed avocado with lemon and sea salt
Cucumbers – Thinly sliced cucumbers with cream cheese, dill and lemon

Spinach and Mushrooms – Sauteed with garlic and herbs
Pears and Brie – Sweet pears and creamy brie is a fabulous combination
Strawberries and Nutella – For a dessert-like twist, add fresh strawberries

Beverages

Croissants and hot beverages are a quintessential breakfast pair. The flakiness of the croissant and the steamy beverage complement each other perfectly. Some beverage ideas include:

Coffee – A croissant and coffee is a breakfast staple in France
Tea – Hot tea is excellent with a croissant, especially Earl Grey or English Breakfast

Hot chocolate – Rich, chocolatey hot cocoa and a buttery croissant is divine
Milk – Cold milk washes down bites of flaky croissant nicely
Fresh juice – Orange, grapefruit or apple juice add a dose of nutrients

Mimosa – For weekend brunch, pair it with a refreshing mimosa

Sauces and Spreads

Don’t overlook savory or sweet sauces and spreads as accompaniments for croissants. Options include:

Aiolis – Whip up an herbed garlic or lemon aioli for dipping

Pesto – Nutty basil or sun-dried tomato pesto adds flavor
Hummus – For a Mediterranean flair, serve with hummus and cucumber
Honey – Drizzle with artisanal honey for sweetness

Maple syrup – Pancake syrup also pairs nicely with croissants
Chocolate sauce – For an indulgent treat, dip croissants in chocolate sauce

Recipes to Try

Here are some delicious recipe ideas for different ways to fill or top croissants:

Baked Brie and Fig Jam Croissants

Split and lightly toast croissants
Top bottom half with fig jam
Add wedge of brie cheese

Bake until brie is melted
Garnish with arugula, walnuts and drizzle of balsamic glaze

Smoked Salmon Croissants

Slice croissants in half

Spread lemon dill cream cheese on both halves
Top bottom half with smoked salmon slices
Add sliced red onion, capers, dill

Squeeze lemon juice over salmon before topping with croissant top

Ham, Egg and Cheese Croissant Sandwich

Split and toast a croissant
Butter both halves

Add fried egg and slice of ham to bottom half
Top with cheese like gruyere or cheddar
Add croissant top and serve immediately

Nutella and Banana Croissants

Slice croissants through the middle
Spread both halves with Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spread
Sandwich slices of banana between the halves

Can top with powdered sugar, chocolate shavings or whipped cream

Conclusion

Croissants are the perfect blank canvas for a wide variety of sweet and savory fillings and toppings. Classic options like butter, jam and fruit spreads will always be delicious choices. But don’t be afraid to also experiment with cheeses, eggs, meats, vegetables and more. The flaky layers of the croissant complement both sweet and savory fillings equally well. So enjoy your next croissant plain and simple or dressed up with any number of tasty fillings. How will you eat your next delicious croissant?