Perfect Matcha Almond Croissants Recipe in 45 Minutes Flat

Oh my gosh, you have to try these Matcha Almond Croissants they’re my absolute favorite way to jazz up day-old pastries! I discovered this trick while working at a tiny Parisian-style bakery during college, where we’d transform yesterday’s goods into something magical. Now it’s my go-to when I need an impressive yet easy treat for brunch guests or just a little pick-me-up with my afternoon tea. The matcha adds this earthy sophistication while the almond frangipane keeps everything rich and comforting. And trust me, they smell so good baking that your whole kitchen will feel like a cozy café!

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Why You’ll Love These Matcha Almond Croissants

Listen, these aren’t just any croissants – they’re little pockets of joy that happen to be ridiculously easy to make! Here’s why I’m obsessed (and why you will be too):

• Bakery-quality magic at home – That fancy café vibe? You’ll get it with minimal effort and maximum “wow” factor
• Perfect for using up day-olds – No more wasting slightly stale croissants (we’ve all been there!)
• The matcha-almond combo – Earthy matcha meets sweet, nutty frangipane in the most addictive way
• Foolproof elegance – They look like you spent hours, but the whole process takes less than 45 minutes
• Versatile superstar – Equally at home on a brunch spread or as an afternoon pick-me-up with tea

Seriously, one bite and you’ll be hooked. The crispy almonds on top? *Chef’s kiss*

Ingredients for Matcha Almond Croissants

Okay, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these beauties:

• 1 large egg – room temperature works best for smooth mixing
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar – just enough sweetness to balance the matcha
• 2 teaspoons matcha powder – use ceremonial grade if you can, it makes all the difference!
• 1½ tablespoons salted butter, softened – not melted, just soft enough to leave a fingerprint when pressed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – the real stuff, please!
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional) – but trust me, it adds amazing depth
• ½ cup almond flour – superfine works best for that creamy frangipane texture
• 2 day-old croissants – slightly stale is perfect for absorbing all that goodness
• 1–2 tablespoons simple syrup – just equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved
• 1–2 tablespoons sliced almonds – for that gorgeous crunchy topping
• Powdered sugar – for dusting (because pretty!)
• Matcha chocolate (optional) – because why not go all out?

See? Nothing too fancy – just quality ingredients that’ll make your kitchen smell like heaven!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these croissants! Just grab:

• A small mixing bowl (I use my favorite ceramic one)
• A trusty whisk (or fork in a pinch)
• Baking sheet lined with parchment
• Pastry brush for the simple syrup

That’s it – see? Told you this was easy!

How to Make Matcha Almond Croissants

Alright, let’s get to the fun part! Making these matcha almond croissants is easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through each step. Just follow along and you’ll have bakery-worthy treats in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Matcha Almond Frangipane

First things first – let’s make that dreamy green filling! Grab your small bowl and whisk together the egg and sugar until they’re nice and smooth. Now sift in your matcha powder (this prevents lumps – trust me, it’s worth the extra step!). Add the softened butter, vanilla, and almond extract if using, then whisk until everything’s fully combined. Finally, mix in the almond flour until you’ve got a thick, spreadable paste. It should be like a creamy nut butter consistency – not too runny, not too stiff. Set this aside while we prep our croissants.

Step 2: Assemble the Croissants

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) – this gives it time to get perfectly toasty while we assemble. Take your day-old croissants and slice them horizontally like you’re making a sandwich. Brush the insides lightly with simple syrup – this adds moisture and helps the filling stick. Now spread about half of your matcha frangipane inside each croissant, pop the tops back on, then spread the remaining filling over the tops. Sprinkle those sliced almonds all over, pressing gently so they stick. They’ll get nice and toasty in the oven!

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Place your assembled croissants on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the oven. After about 10-12 minutes, when they’re starting to get golden, loosely cover them with foil to prevent over-browning. Bake for another 10 minutes or so until the filling is set and the almonds are lightly toasted. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are crisp and the matcha filling doesn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan. Let them cool for at least 5 minutes – I know it’s hard to wait, but the filling needs to set!

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Now for the finishing touches! Dust your matcha almond croissants with powdered sugar through a fine mesh sieve for that pretty snowfall effect. If you’re feeling fancy, melt some matcha chocolate and drizzle it over the top. Serve them warm with a cup of tea or coffee – the contrast of the crisp exterior and creamy filling is absolute perfection. Watch how fast these disappear!

Tips for the Best Matcha Almond Croissants

After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), I’ve picked up some tricks that make all the difference:

• Day-old croissants are KEY – Fresh ones get too soggy, while slightly stale pastries absorb the frangipane perfectly without falling apart
• Sift that matcha! Nobody wants lumpy green bits – take the extra 10 seconds to sift for the smoothest filling
• Watch the browning – That foil tent halfway through baking? Non-negotiable unless you like charcoal-colored almonds
• Butter temp matters – Too cold and it won’t cream properly; too warm and your frangipane gets greasy
• Let them rest – I know it’s tempting, but wait 5 minutes before biting in so the filling sets properly

Follow these and you’ll have croissants that could pass for a Parisian patisserie’s bestseller!

Complete your brunch with my buttery matcha scones. Or go lighter with moist and fluffy matcha muffins.

Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of this recipe? It’s super adaptable! Here are my favorite ways to mix things up:

• Gluten-free? Swap in your favorite GF croissants – they work just as well!
• Not a matcha fan? Try cocoa powder instead for chocolate almond croissants
• Almond allergies? Skip the extract and use all vanilla; swap almond flour for oat flour
• Extra decadent? Add a layer of raspberry jam beneath the frangipane – trust me on this one!
• No simple syrup? Brush with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness

See? Endless ways to make these your own!

Serving and Storage

These matcha almond croissants are absolute heaven served warm, but here’s the scoop on keeping them tasty later. If you miraculously have leftovers (rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Want that just-baked magic again? Pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes – the almonds will crisp right back up!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re indulging in (not that you’ll regret it!), here’s the scoop per croissant: about 350 calories with that perfect combo of crispy, creamy goodness. Remember – these are estimates since ingredients vary. My advice? Enjoy every delicious bite guilt-free!

Final Thoughts

There you have it my foolproof way to turn ordinary croissants into something extraordinary! I can’t wait for you to experience that first bite of crispy almond topping giving way to creamy matcha goodness. When you make them (because you totally should!), tag me so I can see your beautiful creations. Happy baking, friends!

FAQ: Matcha Almond Croissants

I get questions about these croissants all the time – here are the answers to the ones I hear most often:

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