French-Inspired Herb Butter Croissants

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

Flaky, buttery croissants brushed with a fragrant herb butter, combining classic French technique with fresh garden flavors. This French-inspired recipe, ready in about 110 minutes, combines all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm milk (110°F) into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
• 2 tbsp water

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 2 tbsp granulated sugar into 1 cup warm milk (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt to the yeast mixture, stirring until a rough dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Roll the dough into a 12x8-inch rectangle. Layer 1 cup cold cubed unsalted butter evenly over half the dough, then fold the other half over to cover the butter.
4. Step 4: Roll the dough into a 16x8-inch rectangle, then fold into thirds like a letter. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Repeat rolling and folding twice more, chilling 30 minutes between each, to create flaky layers.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll the dough into a 20x10-inch rectangle and cut into 8 triangles.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves and 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley until combined.
7. Step 7: Spread 1 tsp herb butter on each triangle, then roll from wide end toward the tip, shaping crescents.
8. Step 8: Place croissants on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Whisk 1 beaten egg with 2 tbsp water and brush over each croissant.
9. Step 9: Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and flaky. Serve warm, savoring the blend of buttery and herbal notes that make it c'est bon.