Croissants are a delicious French pastry that are best enjoyed fresh and warm right out of the oven. However, it’s not always possible to eat them straight away. Luckily, there are several easy methods to reheat croissants and restore their flakiness and buttery taste.
Using the Microwave
The microwave provides a quick and convenient way to reheat croissants.
- Unwrap the croissant and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through, usually about 30-60 seconds depending on your microwave wattage.
- Watch carefully as croissants can toughen up or get chewy if microwaved too long.
- Let stand 1-2 minutes after microwaving to allow the heat to evenly distribute.
Using the Oven
Reheating croissants in the oven will crispen up the exterior and is great for warming up a batch.
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Place croissants on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
- For a crispy crust, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Check frequently to avoid over-baking.
- Allow to cool slightly before eating as the interior will be very hot.
Using the Air Fryer
Air fryers provide a quick and crunchy way to reheat croissants using the power of circulating hot air.
- Pre-heat air fryer to 300°F.
- Place croissant in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Adjust time as needed.
- Use kitchen tongs to flip croissants – they will be quite delicate.
- Air fry for 30-60 more seconds to make the pastry layers crispy.
- Allow to cool briefly before eating.
Using the Toaster Oven
A toaster oven is ideal for heating up a single croissant or a small batch.
- Pre-heat toaster oven to 325°F.
- Place croissant(s) directly on the rack. Use foil or a baking sheet if concerned about drips.
- Toast until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes. Check frequently.
- For a crisper exterior, switch to the broil setting for the last 1-2 minutes.
- Let cool for a minute before eating as the interior will be very hot.
Tips for Reheating Croissants
- Use day-old or frozen croissants – fresh ones can get gummy and doughy.
- Reheat thawed croissants for best results. Do not reheat frozen.
- Avoid overheating which can toughen the pastry.
- Use lower heat and cook for longer, checking frequently.
- Crisp exteriors by using broil or air fryer settings briefly.
- Allow a standing time for the heat to distribute evenly.
- Let croissants come to room temperature before reheating for more even heating.
- Reheat plain croissants before adding any fillings or toppings to avoid overcooking.
- Use a baking sheet when reheating multiple croissants in the oven for easier retrieval.
- Flip or rotate croissants halfway during reheating to promote even crispness.
- If reheating a batch, place croissants evenly spaced apart to allow air circulation.
- Allow croissants to rest 1-2 minutes after reheating before eating.
FAQs
Q: Can you reheat croissants?
A: Yes, you can reheat croissants to restore their crispness and flavor. The best methods are the oven, toaster oven, air fryer or microwave.
Q: Should croissants be reheated from frozen or thawed?
A: It’s best to thaw frozen croissants overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheating directly from frozen can make the interior doughy.
Q: How do you keep croissants crispy when reheating?
A: Using a short time under the oven broiler, air fryer or toaster oven will help recrisp the exterior. Avoid overheating which causes interiors to toughen.
Q: How long should you reheat a croissant?
A: Croissant reheating times vary from 30 seconds in the microwave to 3-10 minutes in the oven, air fryer or toaster oven. Check frequently to avoid over baking.
Recipes
Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 4 reheated croissants, split open
- 4 fried eggs
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 slices ham or bacon, cooked
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
Directions:
- Reheat croissants in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
- Butter the croissants and top with a fried egg, cheese and ham or bacon.
- Place back in oven for 2-3 minutes to melt cheese.
- Remove and enjoy the hot breakfast sandwich!
Croissant Monte Cristo
Ingredients:
- 2 reheated croissants
- 2 slices ham
- 2 slices turkey
- 2 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Breadcrumbs
- Butter
Directions:
- Reheat croissants in oven at 325°F for 5-10 minutes.
- On one croissant, layer ham, turkey, cheese and mustard. Top with other croissant.
- Dip into egg and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Melt butter in a pan and fry coated sandwich 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Croissant Pizza Bites
Ingredients:
- 4 reheated mini croissants
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- Toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, olives
Directions:
- Reheat croissants in oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes.
- Top croissants with pizza sauce, cheese and other toppings.
- Bake 5 more minutes until cheese is melted.
- Slice into bites and serve.
Here are 5 specific model recommendations for each appliance category to reheat croissants:
Microwaves:
- Toshiba EM925A5A-BS 0.9 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven
- Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN67HS
- LG NeoChefTM 0.9 cu. ft. Microwave Oven
- GE JES1097SMSS 1.0 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Countertop Microwave
- Sharp ZSMC0710BW 700W 0.7cu. ft. Microwave Oven
Ovens:
- GE JT5000SFSS 30″ Single Wall Oven
- Samsung NX58K9500WG 30″ Electric Double Wall Oven
- Bosch HBL8451UC 800 30″ Wall Oven
- Frigidaire FFEW2726TS 27″ Electric Single Wall Oven
- Whirlpool WOS31ES7JS 30″ Electric Single Wall Oven
Air Fryers:
- Cosori Air Fryer Max XL
- Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
- Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
- Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
- Chefman TurboFry 3.5 Liter Air Fryer
Toaster Ovens:
- Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro
- Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven
- Hamilton Beach 31230 Toaster Oven
- Black+Decker 6-Slice Digital Convection Toaster Oven
- KitchenAid 12″ Countertop Convection Oven
With the proper technique, you can easily revive croissants in the microwave, oven, air fryer or toaster oven. A briefly heated or crisped exterior contrasted with a warm, soft interior will give you the perfect freshly baked taste. Enjoy your reheated croissants with coffee, jam or your favorite filling.
