Garlic and Herb Croissant

Making croissants from scratch can seem a little intimidating, but trust me, this recipe for Garlic and Herb Croissants is surprisingly doable, even if you’re not a baking expert.

We’re taking a little shortcut by using store-bought, all-butter croissants. But we’re amping up the flavor with a homemade garlic herb butter that will absolutely blow your mind!

These savory pastries are perfect for a weekend brunch, a side dish with dinner, or even as a fancy appetizer for a get-together.

Recipe Overview: Garlic and Herb Croissant

These Garlic and Herb Croissants are all about simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special.

They’re flaky, buttery, and packed with savory goodness. The combination of garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of salt creates a flavor explosion in every bite.

We’re focusing on making these croissants accessible, so while the recipe is a bit of a process, each step is straightforward.

These are fantastic served warm, straight out of the oven.

They pair perfectly with soups, salads, or as part of a larger spread. Think of them as a delicious, upgraded version of garlic bread!

Ingredients for your Garlic and Herb Croissants

Garlic and Herb Croissant

Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

  • Croissants: 4 large, all-butter croissants. You can usually find these in the bakery section of your grocery store. Using pre-made croissants makes this recipe much quicker!
  • Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened. Make sure it’s truly softened so it’s easy to mix. This forms the base of our flavorful butter.
  • Fresh Garlic: 3 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is key for that pungent, delicious flavor.
  • Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped. Parsley adds a bright, fresh element.
  • Fresh Chives: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped. Chives bring a mild onion flavor.
  • Fresh Thyme Leaves: 1 teaspoon. Thyme has a lovely, earthy flavor that complements the garlic.
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon. This enhances all the other flavors. You can adjust to your taste.
  • Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground. A little pepper adds a subtle warmth.

If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by about half, as dried herbs are more concentrated. For example, use 1 teaspoon of dried parsley instead of 2 tablespoons of fresh.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Perfect Croissants

  1. Prepare the Garlic Herb Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Use a fork or a small spatula to really mash everything together until it’s well combined and evenly distributed. It should look like a smooth, herby butter.
  2. Slice the Croissants: Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, almost all the way through, like you’re making a sandwich. You want to create a pocket for the butter, but keep the croissant connected on one side.
  3. Fill the Croissants: Generously spread the garlic herb butter inside each croissant. Make sure to get it into all the nooks and crannies. Don’t be shy with the butter – it’s what makes these so delicious!
  4. Wrap in Foil (Optional): If you want extra-soft croissants, wrap each buttered croissant individually in aluminum foil. This creates a steamy environment while baking. If you prefer a slightly crisper exterior, you can skip the foil.
  5. Bake: Place the croissants (whether foil-wrapped or not) on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. If wrapped in foil, you might need to bake for a couple of minutes longer. Keep an eye on them – you want them to be heated through and golden brown. The butter should be melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve Warm: Carefully remove the croissants from the oven (be cautious, they’ll be hot!). Let them cool slightly before serving.

Variations & Tips for the best Garlic Herb Croissants

  • Cheese Please!: Feel free to add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese inside the croissants along with the butter for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the butter mixture will add a pleasant kick.
  • Make-Ahead: You can prepare the garlic herb butter a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just bring it back to room temperature before spreading. You can also assemble the croissants (fill them with butter) and keep them refrigerated, wrapped, until you’re ready to bake.
  • Storage: Leftover croissants are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating: To reheat, pop them back in a 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them for a short burst (about 20-30 seconds), but they’ll be softer.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve these delightful crescents with a light creamy tomato soup for a perfect comfort meal.

Key Details

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 10-15 minutes
  • Total time: 20-25 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet, medium bowl, fork or small spatula, knife.

Garlic and Herb Croissant

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Brunch, Side Dish
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large all-butter croissants
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Garlic Herb Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped chives, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Use a fork or a small spatula to really mash everything together until it's well combined and evenly distributed.
  • Slice the Croissants: Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, almost all the way through, like you're making a sandwich. You want to create a pocket for the butter, but keep the croissant connected on one side.
  • Fill the Croissants: Generously spread the garlic herb butter inside each croissant. Make sure to get it into all the nooks and crannies.
  • Wrap in Foil (Optional): If you want extra-soft croissants, wrap each buttered croissant individually in aluminum foil.
  • Bake: Place the croissants (whether foil-wrapped or not) on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them – you want them to be heated through and golden brown.
  • Serve Warm: Carefully remove the croissants from the oven. Let them cool slightly before serving.

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