Transform your stale croissants into delicious almonds croissants that are better than anything you can get at a bakery! These small batch almond croissants make it easier than ever to recreate at home.
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What are almond croissants made of?
Almond croissants are made of three main components: the croissant, almond cream, and sliced almonds.
Essentially an almond cream filling is piped onto the bottom half of each croissant. The top halves are then placed on top and topped with more almond cream. The finishing touch is a scattering of sliced almonds over the top before they are baked until golden brown.
They are typically finished with a sprinkle of icing sugar to serve for an extra sweet touch.
The defining component that makes these almond croissants is the almond cream or frangipane. Almond cream is made from a mixture of eggs, butter, and sugar, occasionally with a splash of rum or vanilla extract.
This sweet almond-flavored cream is used widely throughout French pastries, particularly in cakes, tarts, and pastries. Depending on the application the almond cream can bake up to a buttery, cream-like consistency, or a fragrant almond-based cake-like consistency. Both are equally as delicious.
Why make a small batch?
The difference between this recipe and most other recipes you'll find online is that it's a small batch! These small-batch almond croissants mean that you can use your leftover croissants to whip up a delicious breakfast pastry.
I found that most almond croissant recipes made way too many croissants for the average household. This way you can make almond croissants and enjoy them fresh!
What is the difference between almond paste and almond filling?
Almond paste is made from almost exclusively almonds. Almonds are ground up into a fine paste. The resulting paste is very thick and dense with a rich almond flavor.
Almond paste is most often used to add almond flavor to doughs and batters. It can also add a structural element to baked goods, removing the need for ingredients like flour.
Almond filling is completely different from almond paste as it is made with other ingredients including almonds. A couple of examples include marzipan or frangipane.
Marzipan adds corn syrup to form a sweet almond paste that can be shaped and rolled. Frangipane or almond cream is a sweet almond pastry cream that is used in a lot of different pastries, like these almond croissants! Made from eggs, butter, sugar, and almonds it's sweet, buttery, and absolutely delicious!
How to use stale croissants?
Stale croissants are the best for this kind of recipe! Once you've enjoyed your fresh croissants you might have a couple of croissants left over the next day.
Laminated pastries get stale quickly and lose their crispy, flaky nature. This is because the moisture in the croissant is being evaporated into the air.
To revive staple croissants you want to add moisture back into the pastry before baking it again. Making almonds croissants is a great way to do this while adding flavor too!
To make almond croissants the croissants are dipped into a simple syrup. This adds moisture to the dough, restoring it to a fluffy texture. The sugar adds a touch of sweetness as a typical croissant is not sweetened.
Once they are filled with almond paste they are baked. This baking process allows some of the excess moisture from the simple syrup to evaporate, leaving behind a crispy, golden, and slightly caramelized croissant.
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- Water: Water is needed in this simple syrup as it brings moisture back into the croissants
- Sugar: Sugar helps to give the croissants a little sweetness
Almond Cream
- Egg white: The egg white helps to bind the almond meal and sugar together
- Almond meal: Almond meal or almond flour gives the cream that rich almond flavor, while also forming the body of the cream
- Icing sugar: Icing sugar or powdered sugar gives the cream sweetness without the graininess that regular sugar would add
- Unsalted butter: Butter adds a creaminess and fragrance to the cream. Make sure you use room temperature butter as this will make it much easier to incorporate with the rest of the ingredients
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds another depth of flavor to the almond cream. Feel free to use a splash of rum or almond extract in its place
Assembly
- Croissants: You can use storebought or freshly made croissants! This recipe actually works best with stale croissants so if you have any leftover croissants then even better.
- Sliced almonds: Sliced, flaked, or even slivered almonds will work fine here. The almonds on top help to add extra crunch and almond flavor
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store almond croissants?
Almond croissants should be left on a wire rack while they are still warm to cool. This allows them to maintain their crispy exterior.
If they have cooled and you want to store them for later or another day store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you store the croissants this way they won't be as flaky as they originally were. Make sure you heat them up in a toaster oven or air fryer before consuming them.
How long do almond croissants last?
Almond croissants will last up to 2 days once made if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Do you eat almond croissants hot or cold?
While you can definitely eat them cold I recommend eating them when they are fresh and warm. At this stage, they are at their best texture, with a soft and fluffy interior and crisp exterior.
If they have cooled down warm them up to return themto that perfect texture!
Do almond croissants have alcohol in them?
A lot of almond croissant recipes will include a splash of rum in the filling. This complements the almond flavor and adds an extra depth of flavor.
I decided to go with vanilla extract in these as I like the combination of vanilla and almonds, but feel free to add a splash of rum or even almond extract for another boost of almond flavor.
Let's Get Cooking
If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below, I would love to know how you went. Also don't forget to tag me on Instagram @catherine.desserts so I can see and share your desserts.
Follow me on facebook, pinterest, youtube and tiktok for more of my baking creations and updates! Until next time... happy caking!
Print📖 Recipe
Small Batch Almond Croissants
Transform your stale croissants into delicious almonds croissants that are better than anything you can get at a bakery! These small batch almond croissants make it easier than ever to recreate at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 Almond Croissants 1x
- Category: Pastry
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 180ml Water (¾ cup)
- 25g Granulated sugar (2 tbsp)
Almond Cream
- 1 Large egg white
- 48g Almond meal /almond flour (½ cup)
- 25g Icing/powdered sugar (¼ cup)
- 30g Unsalted butter (2 tbsp), room temperature
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract
Assembly
- 2 Croissants
- Sliced almonds
Instructions
Simple Syrup
- Combine the water and sugar in a heatproof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring halfway, until the sugar has completely dissolved
- Set aside to cool as you make the almond paste
Almond Cream
- Combine the egg white, almond meal, icing sugar, butter, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl
- Stir until it forms a smooth paste
Assembly
- Preheat the oven or air fryer to 180C/356F
- Using a serrated knife halve the croissants
- Dip each half into the cooled sugar syrup
- Fill the croissants with the almond cream, leaving a few tablespoons of almond cream to spread over the top of the croissants
- Spread the reserved almond cream over the top of the croissants and scatter with sliced almonds
- Place the assembled croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or directly in the air fryer basket
- If baking in the oven, bake the croissants for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp
- If air frying, air fry the croissants for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp
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Jennifer Liu
I made this a couple times using Costco butter croissants. Amazing.
Catherine Zhang
So good!!