French Bakery Style Almond Croissants

There’s something undeniably luxurious about biting into a flaky almond croissant—crisp on the outside, soft inside, and filled with rich almond cream. The good news? You don’t need to make pastry from scratch to enjoy them at home.

These French bakery-style almond croissants are made using store-bought or day-old croissants, then filled with homemade almond frangipane, brushed with a lightly sweetened syrup, and baked until golden and irresistible.

Whether you’re serving them for brunch, dessert, or a cozy weekend breakfast, this shortcut recipe delivers authentic flavor with minimal effort.

There’s something truly special about French-inspired baking, which is why these recipes are staples in my kitchen—from the bright, zesty notes of my French Orange Cake to the soft, nutty richness of my French Almond Cake and the flaky, buttery layers of a classic French Apple Tart.

These almond croissants offer yet another delicious way to bring a touch of Parisian magic into your home with just a few simple steps.

A Little About Almond Croissants

Almond croissants, or croissants aux amandes, are a beloved French pastry originally created as a clever way to use up day-old croissants. Rather than waste them, French bakers would soak the stale croissants in a flavored syrup, fill them with almond cream (frangipane), and bake them again until golden and crisp. The result is a twice-baked croissant that’s even more decadent than the original—rich, nutty, and irresistibly buttery.

You’ll find them in nearly every pâtisserie across France, often dusted with powdered sugar and topped with toasted almonds. Despite their fancy appearance, they’re surprisingly simple to make at home—especially with a little shortcut like store-bought croissants.

Ingredients for French Almond Croissant

This recipe works perfectly with stale – a day or two old croissants. Use good quality store bought croissants.

For the Almond Cream Filling:

• Almond flour (or finely ground almonds) — provides that classic nutty texture
• Caster sugar — balances richness with sweetness
• Unsalted butter, softened — makes the filling creamy and luscious
• Eggs — bind the mixture and add moisture
• Vanilla extract — enhances overall flavor depth. You can also add almond extract if you want extra deep

For the Sugar Syrup:

• Water — to dissolve the sugar and soak the croissants
• Sugar — adds sweetness and helps caramelize the crust

Step By Step – How to Make French Style Almond Croissants

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, caster sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix until evenly combined.
2. Add the softened butter and use an electric mixer to blend the mixture—it will appear crumbly at first.
3. While mixing, add the eggs and vanilla extract. Continue to beat until the mixture turns smooth, thick, and creamy.

4. Slice each croissant in half horizontally. Lightly brush the inside of the bottom half with the almond syrup.

5. Spread a generous layer of almond filling on the bottom half, then place the top half back on. Brush the top with almond syrup as well and spread a thin layer of almond cream over it.

6. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the top and place the croissants on a lined baking tray.

7.Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

8.Allow the croissants to cool slightly, then dust with icing sugar before serving.

Watch How to Make French Bakery Style Almond Croissants

Storing Almond Croissant

These Almond Croissant are best consumed when freshly baked. They can be stored in an air tight container for 2-3 days. Microwave for a minute to refresh before serving.

Other Recipes to try

If you try these French Almond Croissants leave a comment below to tell me how it went for you, I love hearing from you.