Where Can I Buy Starbucks’ Ham and Cheese Croissant?

The ham and cheese croissant from Starbucks is a fan favorite for good reason – it’s flaky, buttery, and filled with premium smoked ham and melted Swiss cheese But at $465 a pop, this bakery treat can get pricey if you’re a frequent Starbucks customer. So where can you find a cheaper alternative to satisfy your ham and cheese croissant cravings? I’ve got some options for you.

Buy it at Starbucks

Let’s start with the obvious – you can always buy the real thing at Starbucks. The Ham & Swiss Croissant is a permanent menu item, so you don’t have to worry about it being seasonal or limited-edition. With 92 grams per croissant, it makes for a hearty and filling breakfast or snack.

Starbucks uses Swiss cheese specifically for its ham and cheese croissants. The nutty slightly sweet flavor of Swiss pairs beautifully with the smoky, salty ham. And of course, the croissant itself provides the requisite flakiness that we love in a baked pastry.

If you want to enjoy this treat without leaving home, you can order it via the Starbucks app or website and pick it up at your local store This avoids waiting in the long lines during peak hours.

The main downside to purchasing the croissant at Starbucks is the cost. At $4.65 each, buying one or two per week can add up, especially if you’re feeding a family. But sometimes you just need that original Starbucks ham and cheese croissant experience.

Check Your Grocery Store Bakery

Many grocery store bakeries offer their own version of a ham and cheese croissant. While it likely won’t be an exact replica of the Starbucks one, it can still satisfy the craving at a lower price point.

For instance, at my local Safeway, they sell a Jumbo Ham & Cheese Croissant for $3.49. Not a huge savings, but every bit helps. I would inspect the size and quality before purchasing to ensure you’re getting a good value.

The bake-at-home croissants you find in the freezer section can also be a cheaper alternative. A package of two croissants may cost around $4, making them $2 apiece. Consider Pillsbury and other major brands.

With grocery store options, you lose the Starbucks brand cachet. But if you’re focused purely on taste and saving money, the store bakery croissants could do the trick.

Make Them at Home From Scratch

For the ultimate in cost savings and control over ingredients, you can make ham and cheese croissants at home. This requires more effort of course, but it can be a fun weekend baking project.

You’ll need pre-made puff pastry dough, which you can find in the freezer section of any grocery store. Defrost it before using. Get quality ham such as Black Forest deli ham, and have Swiss cheese on hand.

To assemble, cut the pastry dough into rectangles. Place a slice of ham and Swiss cheese on each rectangle, then roll it up into a croissant shape. Egg wash the outside, then bake until golden brown.

Making them from scratch allows you to adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes. Use a sharper cheddar versus Swiss if you prefer, or add different spices and herbs to the ham for more flavor.

The hands-on time is about 30 minutes, but including baking, expect the full process to take 1-2 hours. The active time involved is the tradeoff for fresh, homemade ham and cheese croissants.

Consider the Costco Copycat

Costco sells a very close copycat version of the Starbucks ham and cheese croissant in their freezer section. It’s made by their La Boulangerie brand.

The La Boulangerie Smoked Ham and Swiss Croissants come in a package of 8 croissants for $12.99. That’s just $1.62 per croissant – over 65% less than Starbucks!

Each croissant contains smoked ham, Swiss cheese, and is on a buttery flaky croissant. They are 90 grams each, very close to the 92 gram Starbucks version.

The Costco croissants just need a short bake or microwave to warm up before eating. So it’s about as close to the Starbucks experience as you can get, for a fraction of the cost.

According to Instagrammer @costcobuys, these are “Just like Starbucks!” and “sooo good!!” Especially when warmed up right out of the oven or air fryer.

The main catch is you need a Costco membership to shop there. But if you already have one, this is a no-brainer way to satisfy your ham and cheese cravings.

Try the Starbucks Copycat Breakfast Sandwich

Similar to their croissants, Costco also makes a Starbucks copycat breakfast sandwich. It’s their Kirkland Signature Spiral Ham, Egg, and Cheese Butter Croissant Sandwich.

This contains a croissant bun, egg, ham, and cheese – basically a breakfast version of the ham and cheese croissant! Except in a convenient sandwich form.

At $15.99 for a pack of 12, these copycat breakfast sandwiches come out to $1.33 each at Costco. Slightly cheaper than the $1.62 croissants.

So if you like the traditional Starbucks bakery item but want something more portable and sandwich-like, this could do the trick. You get the same ham, cheese, and croissant flavors in every bite.

Final Thoughts

While the Starbucks ham and cheese croissant remains the classic choice, there are now many ways to get a similar product for less money. From grocery store bakeries to homemade, you have options to satisfy your cravings on a budget.

Be sure to inspect the size, ingredients, and taste before purchasing any copycat versions. The Starbucks croissant really sets the standard. But items like the Costco La Boulangerie provide an extremely close match at a fraction of the cost.