Name: Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons very soft butter; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; ½ cup almond flour; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon water; 17.25-ounce package of purchased puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed but still cold; ½ cup sliced almonds; Powdered sugar (for sprinkling); 1 tablespoon milk (for diluting leftover frangipane)

Jump to Recipe

If you love the idea of fresh, bakery-style almond croissants but dread the complicated process, you are going to fall head over heels for this Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe. It takes just a handful of simple ingredients and less than an hour of your time to create golden, flaky pastries filled with luscious almond cream. Perfect for a weekend brunch, a special treat, or anytime you want to impress with little fuss, this recipe transforms store-bought puff pastry into a delightful French-inspired indulgence that will have everyone asking for seconds.

A close-up of golden croissants covered with thin, white almond slices and a light dusting of white powdered sugar. The croissants have clear, layered, flaky textures with a soft, slightly shiny surface from baking, and their shape is slightly curved and tapered at the ends. They are placed on a clear, wavy glass tray that sits on a white marbled texture surface, giving a fresh and clean look. The background is softly blurred, showing more croissants of the same kind, keeping the focus on the front croissant photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe plays a crucial role, blending buttery richness, nutty sweetness, and delicate flaky texture. These simple pantry staples come together effortlessly to give your croissants that irresistible charm.

Very soft butter (3 tablespoons): Adds creamy richness and moisture to the almond filling, ensuring it’s luscious and smooth.
Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Provides the perfect touch of sweetness that balances the nutty flavors.
Large egg (1): Binds the filling ingredients and adds silkiness to the almond cream.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses a warm aromatic note that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Almond extract (¼ teaspoon): Boosts the nutty almond flavor to delicious new heights.
Almond flour (½ cup): The star ingredient in the frangipane that delivers that iconic almond taste and tender texture.
All-purpose flour (1 tablespoon): Helps stabilize the almond filling for perfect consistency.
Egg wash (1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water): Creates a shiny, golden-brown finish on the croissants that looks irresistible.
Purchased puff pastry (17.25-ounce package, 2 sheets): The convenient base that crisps up beautifully and bakes evenly without the fuss.
Sliced almonds (½ cup): Adds a lovely crunch and nutty topping once baked.
Powdered sugar: For dusting the croissants and adding a delicate, elegant sweetness at the end.

How to Make Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 400˚F, which ensures a hot environment to crisp up the puff pastry beautifully. Meanwhile, line a large 13×18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and prevent any sticking.

Step 2: Make the Almond Cream (Frangipane)

In a medium bowl, combine the very soft butter and granulated sugar, whisking until smooth and creamy. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix well to marry all those delicious flavors. Next, stir in the almond flour followed by the all-purpose flour until you have a smooth, velvety almond filling that will melt into the croissants.

Step 3: Prepare the Egg Wash

Whisk together one large egg and a teaspoon of water vigorously in a small bowl until fully combined. This mixture is key to giving your croissants that perfect shiny, golden crust that just screams bakery-fresh.

Step 4: Cut The Puff Pastry

Unfold the thawed but still cold sheets of puff pastry on a clean surface. With a sharp knife or dough cutter, slice each sheet into three equal rectangles, then cut each rectangle diagonally to create two long triangles, resulting in twelve triangles total. Cut a small slit at the wide end of each triangle—this simple step helps you roll the croissants neatly and gives them that classic crescent shape.

Step 5: Fill and Roll Your Croissants

Place two teaspoons of almond cream on the wide end of each triangle, spreading it evenly but leaving room to roll. Before you start rolling, gently stretch the wide end a bit to help the roll look pretty and hold the filling snugly. Roll each triangle from the wide end toward the pointed tip to form your croissants.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the rolled croissants on the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1½ inches apart so they have room to puff. Brush each croissant lightly but thoroughly with the egg wash. Pop them into the oven for 15 minutes. Then, brush the tops with the diluted leftover almond cream, sprinkle with sliced almonds for a nutty crunch, and return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes until they turn a perfect medium golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Finish

Once baked, transfer the croissants to a cooling rack to rest for around 10 minutes. Finally, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for that signature delicate sweetness and an irresistible bakery look. Now, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to enjoy your ridiculously easy creation!

How to Serve Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe

A white glass cake stand holds ten crescent-shaped pastries arranged in a circle, each covered with powdered sugar and topped with thin almond slices. Behind the stand, there are two white cups filled with tea on white saucers, and a blue and white patterned teapot and sugar pot. To the left, a small white pitcher holds white daisies with yellow centers, and to the right, a stack of white plates with gold rims rests on a blue and white floral napkin on a wooden table. The scene is set against a bright window with green trees outside, and the surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkling powdered sugar on top is a classic finish that adds a subtle sweetness and an elegant touch. For an extra pop, drizzle a little melted chocolate or a honey glaze once cooled—both elevate the croissants to pure decadence.

Side Dishes

These almond croissants shine as the star of a brunch spread alongside fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a simple bowl of mixed fruit. Pair with a latte or a chilled glass of sparkling wine to make breakfast or brunch feel totally special.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your croissants into a delightful dessert plate by serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a side of preserved cherries. For a savory twist, add slices of ham and cheese for an almond croissant sandwich. They’re versatile, easy to dress up, and always impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover almond croissants in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This helps maintain their delicate flaky texture without becoming soggy or stale.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these delightful pastries later, wrap each croissant tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to a month, making it easy to have a treat ready whenever a craving hits.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste, reheat croissants in a 350˚F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crisp. Avoid the microwave as it tends to make puff pastry soggy. This simple step revives the flaky layers and melty almond filling perfectly.

FAQs

Can I use homemade puff pastry for the Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry works wonderfully here and can add an extra layer of buttery flakiness, though store-bought sheets keep things fast and foolproof.

Is it possible to make these croissants dairy-free or vegan?

You can substitute the butter and eggs with plant-based alternatives, but note that the texture and flavor might be slightly different. Vegan puff pastry is available in many stores and works great.

Can I prepare the almond cream filling in advance?

Yes, you can make the frangipane up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just bring it to room temperature and give it a quick stir before using.

What type of almond flour should I use?

Blanched almond flour is best for this recipe because it produces a smooth almond cream without the skins, resulting in a more delicate texture and color.

How do I make sure the croissants don’t leak almond cream during baking?

Using the small slit at the wide end of each triangle allows the dough to stretch properly while rolling, which helps seal in the filling better and prevents leaks.

Final Thoughts

This Ridiculously Easy Almond Croissants Recipe is one of those kitchen gems that makes baking feel joyful and rewarding without any stress. Whether you’re treating friends or indulging yourself, these flaky, nutty pastries will quickly become a beloved favorite. Give it a try—you won’t believe how simple and delicious homemade almond croissants can be!