Breakfast Crescent Rolls
Irresistible Breakfast Crescent Rolls are filled with savory sausage, cream cheese and melty cheddar cheese. Whether you’re hosting brunch, feeding a hungry family, or just craving a hearty breakfast, these are a delicious option everyone will love. They’re simple to make and guaranteed to become a morning favorite!
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These breakfast crescent rolls are perfect for holiday brunches! They’re a crowd-pleaser every single time and perfect for feeding a group without a lot of hassle. The combination of sausage, cheese and cream cheese stuffed inside buttery crescent rolls makes them both hearty and indulgent, which is exactly what you want during the holidays. Plus, they’re easy to prepare ahead of time! Pair them with other brunch staples like fresh fruit, quiche and monkey bread for a full spread.
Made these for football watching and they disappeared FAST! Everyone loved them and I especially loved how easy they were to make!
— Michelle
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Simple to make: With just a 4 ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe comes together effortlessly.
- Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for feeding a group at holiday brunches, game day or family gatherings. This recipe makes 36 rolls!
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble them in advance and bake fresh when needed.
- Deliciously savory: Packed with creamy, cheesy and savory flavors in every bite.
- Versatile: Great for breakfast, brunch or even as an appetizer!
Ingredients you’ll need
One of the best things about this breakfast crescent roll recipe is that it only requires 4 simple ingredients! With sausage, cream cheese, shredded cheddar and refrigerated crescent rolls, you can whip up a delicious, satisfying breakfast in no time. No complicated steps or endless ingredients—just an easy recipe that’s big on flavor! Perfect for busy mornings or when you need to feed a crowd without the fuss.
Here’s a note on each ingredient but you’ll find full measurements in the recipe card.
- Breakfast sausage: Adds a hearty and savory flavor to the filling.
- Cream cheese: Makes the filling creamy and rich, tying all the flavors together.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Gets melty as the rolls bake and adds a sharp, cheesy bite.
- Refrigerated crescent rolls: Flaky, buttery dough that wraps everything up into tasty bites! I used Pillsbury crescent rolls.
Variations and substitutions
Here are some suggestions for ways that you can easily customize your stuffed rolls:
- Cheese options: Swap the sharp cheddar with mozzarella, pepper jack or gouda for a different flavor profile.
- Protein alternatives: Use ground turkey, ham, chicken sausage, crumbled bacon or even scrambled eggs to change things up.
- Vegetarian option: Replace the sausage with sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach or bell peppers.
- Spicy kick: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for some heat.
- Herbs and spices: Enhance the flavor with fresh herbs like chives or parsley or sprinkle in garlic powder and paprika.
- Gluten free: Use gluten-free crescent roll dough to accommodate dietary needs.
- Customize toppings: Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds, bagel seasoning or poppy seeds for added flavor and texture.
How to make this recipe
This recipe could not be easier! Mix the filling, slice your dough, stuff and roll! They turn out flakey on the outside and creamy on the inside. Bring them to your next get-together, serve them while watching the big game or enjoy during a holiday gathering. Here is how simple they are to make:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix the cooked sausage, cream cheese and shredded cheese together.
Step 2: Separate the crescent rolls into triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise to make two triangles. A pizza cutter makes this really easy.
Step 3: Scoop a heaping tablespoon filling onto each strip of dough.
Step 4: Carefully roll up the crescent roll. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet pan.
Tip: This is what the stuffed crescent rolls should look like before being baked. The filling will completely fill the roll but should not be seeping out.
Step 5: Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Garnish with minced green onions and flaky salt.
Helpful tips
- Cool the sausage: Let the cooked sausage cool slightly before mixing it with cream cheese to prevent it from melting.
- Soften cream cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to make mixing easier and create a smooth filling.
- Seal the rolls: Pinch the edges of the crescent rolls tightly to prevent the filling from oozing out during baking.
- Line your pan: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overfill: Avoid overloading the crescents with filling to ensure they bake evenly and stay intact.
- Make ahead: Prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a quicker morning prep.
Frequently asked questions
Be sure to drain any excess grease from the sausage before mixing it with the cream cheese and cheddar. This helps keep the rolls flaky and crisp.
Of course! Crescent dough sheets work just as well. Simply cut the dough into triangles before assembling.
Yes! You can customize the size by cutting the crescent roll dough into larger triangles. Adjust the filling amount and bake time accordingly.
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- In the freezer: Once baked and cooled, store the crescent rolls in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat them in the oven or microwave when ready to enjoy.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to keep them flaky and fresh. You may want to lightly cover them with aluminum foil, so the tops don’t get too brown.
More holiday breakfast favorites
If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Breakfast Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) roll breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, or cheese of your choice
- 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix the cooked sausage, cream cheese and shredded cheese together.
- Separate the crescent rolls into triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise to make two triangles. A pizza cutter makes this really easy.
- Scoop a heaping tablespoon filling onto each strip of dough.
- Roll up and bake on a parchment lined sheet pan for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- Storing leftovers: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- In the freezer: Once baked and cooled, store the crescent rolls in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat them in the oven or microwave when ready to enjoy.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to keep them flaky and fresh. You may want to lightly cover them with aluminum foil, so the tops don’t get too brown.
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This recipe was originally published December 2018. It was updated and republished December 2024.
These sausage rolls are so good, you can’t have just one. They’re fluffy, flaky crescent rolls wrapped around a creamy and cheesy sausage filling. These are a savory appetizer, but they’d make a delicious breakfast treat, too. Bonus, they are super simple to prepare.
Made these for football watching and they disappeared FAST! Everyone loved them and I especially loved how easy they were to make!
These are fabulous!! New Christmas brunch tradition with mimosas!
I made this for a recent neighborhood get together. The crescents were very easy to make. The only thing I did extra was brushing the roll ups with butter before I put them into the oven. They are best straight out of the oven, but they were still good after cooling. All the neighbors enjoyed them. This recipe would be good for a football party or any event requiring finger food or appetizers.
I have made these recently and my husband could not get enough of them. They are delicious. They are becoming an almost every Sunday morning thing to make.