This crispy golden Monte Cristo Sandwich recipe is sure to take your sandwich menu up a notch. A simple dusting of powdered sugar and some berry preserves on the side, and you’re ready for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

Easy 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 mixture much like classic french toast. It’s typically pan fried sometimes deep fried, 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:

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 baked ham.
Cheese – Shredded Swiss cheese. You could swap out Swiss for Gruyere.
Dressing – Mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
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.
Powdered sugar for dusting the sandwiches after frying until golden.
Plum, cherry or raspberry preserves for serving.

How to Make the Best Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

This crispy fried sandwich can be served at any meal whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, lunch or supper.

Kitchen tools you’ll need to make homemade Monte Cristo Sandwich: 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.
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 it as a treat.
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.
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.
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.
This type of pan fried sandwich is typically served with plum, raspberry or cherry preserves on the side. Doing so gives it that sweet and salty combination that’s so appealing. You can also serve them with maple syrup for dipping.
You can also use leftover turkey or deli turkey to make a turkey monte cristo.
A Monte Cristo should be made and eaten while warm. Should you have any leftover, reheat in a non stick skillet over medium heat just until heated through or in a 350°F air fryer.

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