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Loaded with ham and cheddar cheese, this Savory Bread Pudding is perfect for serving at breakfast, brunch, or any time in between!

Close up side view of slice of Ham and Cheese Savory Bread Pudding showing layers on white plate.

A lot of bread puddings tend to be on the sweet side, but I wanted to mix it up and share a savory bread pudding with you today!

What I love most about this is how easy it is. Bread Pudding is usually such an easy recipe and takes minimal work, and that is exactly what this is.

I love the savory aspect about this, it really switches it up from the normal ones, and you can eat this for a variety of meals like lunch or dinner and obviously breakfast.

It’s just so satisfying to have a hearty breakfast like this one. I think it’s always a hit.

Not only is it super flavorful, it’ll also fill you up! It will fill up a whole crowd, in fact!

This Ham and Cheese Bread Pudding is surprisingly simple to make. It looks totally impressive but comes together in no time at all!

If you want to switch up your routine and try something completely different but absolutely delicious, then you have to make this Savory Bread Pudding.

Some of our other savory breakfast recipes we have on our site include: Breakfast Enchiladas, English Muffins and Scrambled Egg Avocado Toast.

Overhead of finished savory Bread Pudding in baking dish.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Easy and minimal ingredients help this come together quickly.
This can be served for any meal.
This makes a nice large batch to feed the whole family.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

Croissants
Sharp cheddar cheese
Ham
Eggs
Half and half
Dijon mustard
Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Pepper
Parmesan cheese
Scallion, optional

Ingredients needed to make a Ham and Cheese Savory Bread Pudding.

HOW TO MAKE SAVORY BREAD PUDDING:

Dice the croissants into bite-sized pieces. Place half of the bread into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Add half of the diced ham and half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with another layer.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until well beaten. Add the half and half, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper, whisk to combine.
Pour over the bread slowly. With the back of a spatula, press down the bread pudding to help it absorb the custard.
Preheat the oven to 325°F. While the oven is heating, let bread pudding sit on the counter for 20 minutes, this step is necessary so the bread has time to absorb the custard, keep pressing the top down with a spatula to help.
Bake for 20 minutes, take the bread pudding out of the oven and sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly on top.
Turn up the oven to 375°F and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes.
The bread pudding will be golden brown and toasted on top. The sides should slightly pull away from the baking dish.
Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan, garnish with scallions, optional.

Step by step photos on how to make Ham and Cheese Savory Bread Pudding.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

WHAT IS SAVORY BREAD PUDDING?

Bread pudding is normally a dessert consisting of cubed bread soaked in an egg custard with other flavors and baked.

Savory bread pudding is that, but you guessed it, with savory flavors!

Instead of using sugar, chocolate, and other classic bread pudding ingredients, we are using ham and cheese!

Our custard is boldly flavored with dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and more. It is then poured over diced croissants, ham, and cheddar cheese and baked to a golden brown.

DO I HAVE TO USE CROISSANTS?

We absolutely love the croissants in this recipe, and it is normally what we do use.

But if you do not like them or cannot find them, you can use any sturdier bread.

Some ideas include: french bread, texas toast, brioche bread, etc. I don’t suggest using plain white bread as you will need more, and it will soak up too much liquid.

Metal spatula holding up a slice of savory bread pudding out of pan.

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CAN I USE ANOTHER CHEESE?

The sharp cheddar cheese in this really brings out the flavor, and you can taste the cheese well, that is why we use it.

But you can use any of your favorite cheeses.

Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Muenster, Gouda, etc. would all be great choices for this recipe.

ANY ADDITIONS?

This savory bread pudding recipe can definitely take some alterations.

It’s a great way to find your favorite flavors!

Sautéed bell peppers: Add some color and sweetness by sautéing bell peppers in olive oil before mixing them in.
Caramelized onions: For a deeper, sweeter flavor, stir in some caramelized onions.
Fresh herbs: Sprinkle in fresh thyme or fresh rosemary for an extra burst of flavor.
Gruyere cheese: Substitute or mix in Gruyere cheese for a more complex cheese flavor.
Sliced mushrooms: Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy taste.
Spinach: Fresh or sautéed spinach can be a great addition to add some greens to the dish.
Sweet Italian sausage: Cooked and crumbled sausage adds a savory, spicy kick.
Roasted garlic: For a richer, sweeter garlic flavor, add roasted garlic cloves.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy, sweet flavor.
Swiss chard: Add sautéed Swiss chard for a nutrient-rich and colorful addition.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

A good bread pudding is one that you make your own.

If you have another great idea, let me know in the comments!

Croissants for stale bread: Substitute croissants with stale bread like Italian bread or a whole loaf of your favorite bread for a sturdier texture.
Half and half for whole milk: Use whole milk or a mix of heavy cream and milk for a creamier custard base.
Sharp cheddar for Gruyere cheese: Replace sharp cheddar with Gruyere cheese or a mix of different cheeses for a unique flavor.
Dijon mustard for yellow mustard: Swap Dijon mustard with yellow mustard if you prefer a milder taste.
Ham for sweet Italian sausage: Substitute ham with sweet Italian sausage for a different savory flavor profile.

HOW TO STORE:

This can be stored covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 5 days.

This can also be frozen, to do that, cover your pan with plastic wrap and then foil, and it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost, remove from freezer and place in the refrigerator overnight until defrosted. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

This makes a nice large batch for the whole family.
This can be served for many different meals.
Other cheeses can be used, see above for ideas for the best flavor.
If you don’t want to use croissants, you can use another sturdier bread, see above for ideas.
Let the bread soak for at least 20 minutes to soak up the liquid.
Use a small dice on your ham, you can buy it this way or buy a block and chop up yourself.
This can be frozen, see above on how to do that.

Slightly overhead photo of slice of Ham and Cheese Savory Bread Pudding on white plate with silverware.

Looking for a great dish that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

This Savory Bread Pudding is always a good idea!

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If you’ve tried this SAVORY BREAD PUDDING let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!

Ham and Cheese Savory Bread Pudding