Ham and Apple Brunch Strata

Elevate your next brunch gathering with this irresistible Ham and Apple Brunch Strata—an easy make-ahead casserole that brings together savory and sweet in perfect harmony. Cubed rustic bread forms a hearty base, layered with tender bites of diced ham, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji, and a generous sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese for rich flavor. A luxurious egg custard, infused with milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, and a hint of cinnamon, binds it all together, creating a golden, fluffy texture after baking. Whether you're hosting a holiday brunch or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is ideal for feeding a crowd and pairs beautifully with a fresh fruit salad or a drizzle of warm maple syrup. Ready in just over an hour, this one-pan recipe is a comforting, crowd-pleasing centerpiece with minimal clean-up. Perfect for keywords like "sweet and savory brunch casserole," "make-ahead brunch recipes," and "easy ham and apple strata."

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 6 cups Rustic bread, cubed
• 1.5 cups Cooked ham, diced
• 2 medium Apples (e.g., Honeycrisp or Fuji), peeled and diced
• 2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups Milk
• 0.5 cups Heavy cream
• 6 large Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with unsalted butter.

Step 2

Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 3

Layer the diced ham over the bread, followed by the diced apples.

Step 4

Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the ham and apples.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 6

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the baking dish, making sure all the bread cubes are soaked.

Step 7

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight if preparing in advance.

Step 8

Bake the strata, covered with foil, for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

Step 9

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.

Step 10

Allow the strata to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Ham and Apple Brunch Strata warm!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2762.9 grams (2762.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5286

Total Fat 214.50g	275%
Saturated Fat 108.80g	544%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.30g
Cholesterol 1760mg	587%
Sodium 13476mg	586%
Total Carbohydrate 560.80g	204%
Dietary Fiber 35.60g	127%
Total Sugars 122.50g
Protein 280.40g	561%

Vitamin D 470IU	2349%
Calcium 2763mg	213%
Iron 23mg	128%
Potassium 3363mg	72%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.5%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 42.4%