The best of both worlds just collided, an overnight breakfast casserole with a cinnamon roll flare! Our Overnight Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole is so easy to make and will take your weekend breakfast game to the next level!

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

I love Costco croissants for making quick and easy breakfast casseroles, and I’m always amazed at the price. In today’s world, it is rare to find a food item that still seems like a bargain. I purchase croissants for a few different recipes, including our chicken salad (both the chunky type and the smoother tarragon chicken salad). I love the way chicken salad tastes in a flaky croissant! 

costco croissants made into breakfast casserole

Instead of using sliced bread, I’ve found using either rolls or croissants give the ordinary breakfast casserole a major upgrade without very much expense. This recipe is so easy, your kids can put it together in minutes. In fact, when our kids were young, I used to leave out the ingredients while I went to finish last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve day and their job was to make the Christmas morning breakfast casseroles!

Last year, I purchased too many croissants for an event. Instead of freezing or discarding the leftovers, I looked for a way to make this light and flaky pastry into a breakfast item. I loved the idea of making an overnight breakfast bake that mimics cinnamon rolls but without all of the work!

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

I have tried French toast made with cinnamon rolls but thought the texture was a little too heavy. I knew the croissant was most likely the perfect alternative to a heavy cinnamon roll while still using some of the same ingredients (cinnamon, butter, eggs, and cream). I was right! I love it when that happens.

easy Christmas morning breakfast

What you need to make Overnight Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • 4-6 large croissants
  • unsalted butter
  • sugar, granulated and brown
  • salt
  • vanilla
  • eggs
  • half-and-half
  • powdered sugar
  • half-and-half or cream

croissant breakfast bake

Our Overnight Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole takes just a few ingredients, most of which you probably have in your pantry and fridge. Very little effort is required to whip up this breakfast or brunch in your kitchen in minutes! If you aren’t making this right away, buy a package of croissants, let them sit on your counter for a day or two, tear them up, and then place them in a ziplock bag and freeze. They’ll be ready to go the next time you are in need.

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole

5 from 1 vote
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Author: Si Foster
Course: Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
refrigeration time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 55 minutes
Servings: 8 -10 servings

Ingredients 

  • 4-5 large croissants, Costco size, or about 7-8 regular grocery store croissants
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • dash salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • additional ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top, about 1 teaspoon

Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons half-and-half, or cream

Instructions

  • Butter a 9×13-inch pan. Break up croissants into large pieces and place in pan.
  • In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Spread this mixture over the croissants.
  • Place 6 eggs and 2 cups half-and-half in a medium bowl or blender. Mix well.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the croissants and butter.
  • Cover with foil and place in the fridge for 2-8 hours or overnight. Alternately, this casserole can be made and baked immediately.
  • In the morning, remove from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the side of foil that faces the croissants to prevent sticking.
  • Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes, covered, then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, until golden or until set in the middle.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. While cooling, mix powdered sugar and half-and-half in a small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle baked casserole with glaze and serve immediately.

Notes

  • I’ve tested this recipe with both Costco croissants and other croissant brands from grocery stores. The Costco croissants create a better finished product than grocery store croissants. I’ve found them to be less greasy and more flaky overall.
  • For best presentation, let the baked dish cool for a few minutes before adding the glaze so the glaze will be visible and not immediately melt into the croissants. 
  • Mix in’s: Add ½ cup mini or regular chocolate chips, 1 chopped fresh apple, raisins, or a bit of grated orange or lemon rind.

Equipment

  • 1 9 x 13 pan

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!