This crispy, golden Monte Cristo Sandwich is a surefire way to elevate your sandwich game. Just add a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a side of berry preserves, and it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

What’s the Difference Between a Croque Monsieur and Monte Cristo?

A croque monsieur is a classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich that’s slathered with butter and fried until crispy and lightly golden brown. Monte Cristo sandwiches are a variation of a french croque monsieur that’s dipped in a rich egg batter and fried like french toast. Monte Cristo’s are served dusted with confectioners’ sugar and served with jam, preserves or syrup for a sweet and savory flavor combination.

Ingredients to Make Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich? A monte cristo sandwich is a ham and cheese sandwich that’s typically made with thick sliced white bread, dipped in a beaten egg batter, much like classic french toast. It’s typically pan fried in butter and sometimes deep fried in vegetable oil, until golden brown. The inside is stuffed with a heavenly combination of shredded cheese, mayo and Dijon with slices of ham sandwiched between. It’s a real indulgence and a spectacular way to use thinly sliced leftover ham for another meal. Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Monte Cristo Sandwiches: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe.)

Bread – 8 slices of thick cut Italian bread. They should be around 3/4 inch in thickness.
Ham – One pound of fully cooked deli ham or leftover baked ham.
Cheese – Shredded Swiss cheese. You could swap out Swiss for Gruyere.
Dressing – Mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
Whole Eggs – Large eggs beaten with heavy cream or half and half and seasoned with a pinch of nutmeg.
Butter – Salted or unsalted butter for frying the Monte Cristo.
Garnish – Powder sugar for dusting the sandwiches after frying.
Preserves – Plum, cherry or raspberry preserves for serving.

How to Make the Best Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

Bread: Pair slices of bread according to size.
Make Cheese Mixture: Stir together, cheese, mayonnaise and Dijon. Spread cheese mixture on each piece of bread, dividing evenly.
Assemble: Arrange ham on one piece of bread then top with second bread slice.
Make Egg Custard: In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, cream and nutmeg. Carefully dip each sandwich into egg wash coating well on both sides.
Cook: Fry sandwiches in melted butter in a large skillet until golden brown and the cheese melts.
Serve: Enjoy immediately dusted with powdered sugar and preserves.

Tips for Making Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Sharp knife or bread knife, whisk, cutting board, cheese grater, shallow bowl or plate for the egg mixture, large skillet or griddle and turning spatula.
What Bread is Best for Making Monte Cristo Sandwiches? I prefer a thick sliced white Italian bread for this recipe as it really soaks in the egg custard.
Use a Creamy Cheese: When choosing the best cheese think along the lines of specialty cheese for the filling. This is one moment in time that it’s good to stray from classic cheddar and go for classic Swiss or Gruyere cheese instead.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble the sandwiches a few hours in advance, then wrap in plastic wrap or place into an airtight container and into the refrigerator to chill. Don’t dip them into the egg wash until you’re ready to cook them.
Keep Warm in the Oven: Can I fry Monte Cristo Sandwiches in advance? These sandwiches should be fried and eaten while warm they’re not ideal as a make-ahead option. That said, if you’re making several at one time and you don’t have a griddle, cook the Monte Cristo Sandwiches in a large skillet then place onto a baking pan. Keep warm in a 200°F oven while cooking in batches.
How to Serve: This crispy fried sandwich can be served at any meal whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, lunch or supper. You could also cut them into triangles and secure them with a festive toothpick for a small bite appetizer.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Protein: You can also use leftover slices of turkey or deli turkey to make a turkey monte cristo.
Ham: You can use leftover ham or deli meat such as Virginia ham.
Bread: I recommend using one of those fluffy, inexpensive loaves of Italian bread from the grocery store bakery for these sandwiches. It isn’t always even width from end to end, so pair like-size pieces together before you start. You can also use Texas toast, challah, sourdough, honey wheat bread or brioche bread.
Cheese: You can substitute using Gruyere or Fontina cheese in place of Swiss cheese. You can also use thick slices of cheese in place of shredded cheese. When doing so, slather the mayo and mustard directly on the bread.
Preserves: This type of pan-fried sandwich is typically served with plum preserves, raspberry jam or cherry preserves on the side. Doing so gives it that sweet and salty combination that’s so appealing.
Honey Mustard: If preferred, you could dip the monte cristo in honey mustard.
Preserves Substitution: You can also serve them with maple syrup or honey for dipping.
Salt: If you use unsalted butter for frying, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the egg batter.
Can I Lighten Up the Sandwich? This isn’t a light dish in any way shape or form. That being said, you may use 2% milk or low fat half and half in place of heavy cream. You can also sub 2% Swiss to lighten it just a smidge. Think of this sandwich as a treat.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers: A Monte Cristo should be made and eaten while warm. Should you have any leftover, let them cool completely then wrap in foil or place into an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb any moisture.
Reheating: Reheat in a nonstick skillet over medium heat just until heated through or in a 350°F air fryer. You’ll need to dust again with powdered sugar after chilling.
Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing these sandwiches.

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