During my time as a pastry chef, one of my favorite indulgences was a perfectly baked twice-baked croissant—that magical combination of flaky pastry, rich almond frangipane, and toasty, caramelized edges. But what if we took it up a notch? Enter the Matcha Frangipane Croissant, where nutty almond cream meets earthy, slightly bitter matcha for a pastry that’s both elegant and deeply flavorful.
If you’ve never had a twice-baked croissant, get ready to fall in love. This recipe takes store-bought croissants and transforms them into bakery-level pastries with minimal effort. I start by brushing the croissants with a simple syrup to keep them moist, then fill and top them with a creamy matcha frangipane before baking them to perfection. The result? A crispy, buttery croissant with a luscious green tea almond filling that’s slightly sweet, nutty, and full of depth.
While traditional almond croissants will always have a special place in my heart, adding matcha gives them an unexpected twist. Matcha’s umami-rich, slightly bitter flavor balances the sweetness of the frangipane, making these pastries feel both indulgent and sophisticated. If you love matcha lattes, strawberry almond croissants, or any excuse to have dessert for breakfast, this recipe is for you!
Why You’ll Love This Matcha Frangipane Croissant Recipe
- A Simple Upgrade – Start with a pre-made croissant, and the rest is easy!
- Perfect Balance of Flavors – The nutty, buttery almond cream pairs beautifully with matcha’s grassy, slightly bitter notes.
- Twice-Baked Goodness – Baking the croissants a second time creates a crispy, caramelized texture that’s so satisfying.
- Gorgeous & Unique – A bakery-quality treat that feels special enough for brunch but simple enough for a weekday treat.
How to Make Matcha Frangipane Croissants
Step 1: Prepare the Matcha Frangipane: In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, almond flour, and all-purpose flour, then stir in vanilla extract and matcha powder until smooth.
Step 2: Slice & Brush the Croissants: Cut each croissant in half lengthwise and brush the inside with simple syrup to keep them soft and flavorful.
Step 3: Fill & Top the Croissants: Spread a generous layer of matcha frangipane inside each croissant. Place the tops back on and spread another layer of frangipane over the surface. Sprinkle with sliced almonds for extra texture. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or overnight to bake fresh in the morning!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection: Place croissants on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve: Once cooled slightly, dust with powdered sugar and enjoy warm!
How to Customize Your Matcha Croissants
Want to mix things up? Here are some ways to make these even more special:
- Chocolate Matcha Croissants – Drizzle melted white or dark chocolate on top after baking for extra indulgence.
- Matcha Pistachio Twist – Swap out almond flour for pistachio flour for a nutty, slightly floral variation, like I did with my Pistachio Croissants.
- Citrus Boost – Add a bit of orange or yuzu zest to the frangipane for a bright, refreshing contrast to matcha’s earthiness.
- Nut-Free Version – Use sunflower seed flour or tiget nut flour instead of almond flour for a nut-free alternative, like my nut free macarons!
Pro Tips for Storing & Enjoying Matcha Croissants
- Best Served Fresh – These croissants are at their peak right after baking, when they’re crisp and caramelized. If possible, enjoy them warm for the best texture!
- Make Ahead for Easy Mornings – Assemble the croissants the night before and store them unbaked in the fridge. In the morning, just pop them in the oven for fresh, bakery-style pastries with no prep!
- Freezing for Later – Want to save some for later? Freeze assembled but unbaked croissants on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place them straight into the oven and add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.
More Matcha Recipes to Try
If you try the recipe for these Matcha Croissants, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧
Matcha Croissant - How to Make at Home
Ingredients
- ½ Cup (115 g) Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
- ½ Cup & 1 Tbsp (115 g) Granulated Sugar
- 1 Cup (112 g) Ground Almonds
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Matcha Powder
- 2 Eggs, large, room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- 6 Croissants, a few days old
- ¼ cup Simple Syrup
- ¼ cup Sliced Almonds
- ¼ cup Powdered Sugar & 1 teaspoon Matcha Powder
Instructions
- To make the frangipane, combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and cream for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.½ Cup Unsalted Butter, ½ Cup & 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- Add the almond flour, matcha and salt in three parts while mixing, alternating with each egg until the ingredients are incorporated evenly.1 Cup Ground Almonds, ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt, 2 Eggs, 2 Tablespoons Matcha Powder
- Add the flour - mixing to combine. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use!1 Tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- Slice the croissant in half lengthwise and brush each interior side of the croissant with simple syrup. *Note - if your croissant is particularly tall (over 4 inches) you'll want to gently flatten the croissant a touch so that the frangipane will properly bake in between the croissant halves. Grocery store croissants are never a problem here, but if you have more of an artisanal croissant from a bakery, this will help!¼ cup Simple Syrup, 6 Croissants
- Pipe a few tablespoons of almond cream inside the croissant and place the croissant top half on top. Pipe a few tablespoons of almond cream on top and press sliced almonds on top. Put the assembled croissants in the fridge so the frangipane can solidify for a half hour before baking. You can also store them in the fridge overnight to bake off fresh the next morning.¼ cup Sliced Almonds
- Bake at 350F degrees for 18-20 minutes until the almonds start to brown. Dust with matcha powdered sugar before enjoying!¼ cup Powdered Sugar & 1 teaspoon Matcha Powder
Video
Notes
- Best Served Fresh – These croissants are at their peak right after baking, when they’re crisp and caramelized. If possible, enjoy them warm for the best texture!
- Make Ahead for Easy Mornings – Assemble the croissants the night before and store them unbaked in the fridge. In the morning, just pop them in the oven for fresh, bakery-style pastries with no prep!
- Freezing for Later – Want to save some for later? Freeze assembled but unbaked croissants on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place them straight into the oven and add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.
Joanne
What type of matcha should I use to make this recipe?
Emily Laurae
Any culinary grade matcha should work perfectly!
Jasmine
Easy and elevated at the same time!! Love this combination of flavors