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Home Collections 15 Minute Meals

Monte Cristo Sandwich (Ham Cheese French Toast)

By:Nagi
Published:25 Dec '15Updated:22 Mar '19
65 Comments
Recipe v

A Monte Cristo Sandwich is like the best ham and cheese sandwich you will ever have! It’s essentially French Toast sandwiched with ham and cheese, pan fried in butter until golden and the cheese has melted.

Make it for breakfast or brunch – or anytime!

Monte Cristo Sandwich cut in half and stacked on each other on a small white plate, ready to be eaten.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

I shared this recipe as a way to use up leftover homemade Glazed Ham, because this is a recipe that’s  worthy of leftover baked ham!

Though having said that, I make this year round using ordinary deli ham. It’s a great recipe to turn the ordinary into an extraordinary breakfast, lunch or even dinner – because nobody gets excited over a Ham and Cheese Sandwich.

But EVERYONE goes bonkers over Monte Cristo!

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

Monte Cristos are a ham and cheese sandwich that’s been french-toasted. (Is that a real word? Let’s make it one!). It’s America’s answer to the French classic French Monsieur!

While the origins of the name aren’t exactly clear, everybody agrees on one thing – they are delicious!

While typically made with ham, Monte Cristo sandwiches can be made with any cold slices – turkey, chicken, eve pork and beef.

Monte Cristo Sandwich (Ham Cheese French Toast) - It's a french toast version of ham & cheese sandwich. The best you will ever have! Great way to use up leftover Christmas ham.

Steps illustrating the preparation of Monte Cristo Sandwich

How to make Monte Cristo Sandwiches

It goes like this: Slather bread with mayo (optional), pile on (lots of) ham, top with (lots of) cheese, sandwich with another piece of bread, dip in egg-milk mix and pan fry in butter until golden. The more the better. 🙂

Look at the crust on these Monte Cristo Sandwiches! They are cooked for a bit longer than french toast usually is because it needs the time for the cheese inside to melt. And that is why you end up with a really beautiful thick golden crust, unlike the usual french toast.

Looks pretty good, no?

Monte Cristo Sandwich in a black skillet

There is one very difficult decision that needs to be made with these. And that is this: fancy bread or ordinary sandwich bread? Both are just as good! Sourdough and other fancy artisan breads get a slightly thicker, stiffer crust but sandwich bread typically has a larger surface area so there is more ooey-gooey-melted cheese and hot ham centre.

It’s a tough call. Tough call. A decision I’m incapable of making.

I leave that earth-shattering-life-changing decision up to you! – Nagi x


Cute spins on French Toast

  • Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

  • Strawberry Nutella French Toast Roll Ups

  • Cinnamon French Toast bites

  • Bacon French Toast Roll Ups

  • And also – Classic French Toast!

And more Sandwiches – I love a good sandwich!

  • Cubanos – Cuban sandwiches with marinated slow roasted pork

  • Muffelatas – Baked bread bowl sandwich, the ultimate picnic food!

  • Pastrami Sandwiches – with a simple homemade pastrami!

  • Steak Sandwich

  • See all Sandwiches and Sliders, and also Burgers!

Monte Cristo Sandwich in a skillet

PS One more look at gooey melted cheese and hot ham clamped snugly between  golden, buttery french toast, just in case I haven’t already convinced you that you need these in your life!!! 😉

Monte Cristo Sandwich cut in half and stacked on each other on a small white plate, ready to be eaten.

P.S. I feel like I’ve forgotten something….oh, that’s right! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! 😉

Merry Christmas

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Monte Cristo Sandwich cut in half and stacked on each other on a small white plate, ready to be eaten.

Monte Cristo Sandwich (Ham Cheese French Toast)

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Total: 13 mins
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
American
5 from 21 votes
Servings2
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 175
Monte Cristo is America's answer to the French classic Croque Monseur. Most commonly made with ham, but also found made with turkey and other sliced meats. Gruyere is the most common type of cheese used but really, you can't go wrong no matter what type of cheese you use, just as long as it's a good melting cheese!

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bread of choice (Note 1)
  • 1 large egg or 2 small eggs
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • Salt
  • 2 tsp mayonnaise (I like whole egg mayo)
  • 2 - 4 slices gruyere cheese (or other grated or sliced melting cheese of choice)
  • Ham or turkey , sliced or shaved
  • 1 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Lightly whisk egg, milk and a generous pinch of salt in a flat bowl.
  • Spread 2 slices of bread with mayonnaise.
  • Top with ham, then cheese, then sandwich with remaining slices of bread. Press down firmly.
  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Dip each side of the sandwiches briefly in the egg mixture, then place in skillet.
  • Cook the first side, pressing down with an egg flip, for 3 minutes or until deep golden brown.
  • Flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes, pressing down firmly with the egg flip, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately, while hot!

Recipe Notes:

1. This is great made with artisan (e.g. sourdough) bread or ordinary sandwich bread. Sourdough yields a slightly crunchier golden crust whereas sandwich bread has a higher ratio of soft gooey melted cheese and hot ham. I enjoy both!
 
2. No one should be counting calories for holiday eating! But because I know you will want to make this much more often than just in the days after Christmas, here you go. This is the nutrition for 1 Monte Cristo, assuming it's made with ordinary white sandwich bread.
Monte Cristo Nutrition

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 176gCalories: 442cal (22%)Carbohydrates: 31.7g (11%)Protein: 23.8g (48%)Fat: 25.1g (39%)Saturated Fat: 11.4g (71%)Cholesterol: 158mg (53%)Sodium: 1234mg (54%)Potassium: 202mg (6%)Fiber: 1.6g (7%)Sugar: 4.9g (5%)Vitamin A: 550IU (11%)Vitamin C: 2.5mg (3%)Calcium: 520mg (52%)Iron: 0.9mg (5%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

 

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65 Comments

  1. Pam says

    December 10, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    Delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Cathy says

    December 30, 2021 at 6:32 pm

    5 stars
    This takes a grilled cheese to a whole new level. It was delicious. Thank you Nadi

    Reply
  3. Michael says

    November 9, 2021 at 5:25 am

    5 stars
    I made this as written with a tiny addition of mustard to the inside of one piece of the homemade sourdough bread. Used an aged white cheddar and Tasso ham. This is a wonderful savory sandwich that can be good for any meal of the day. Just change the beverage – haha!

    Reply
  4. Cathy says

    October 8, 2021 at 9:17 am

    Do you think we could bake the monte cristo’s in the oven on a cookie sheet

    Reply
  5. Jeanne says

    July 25, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    I added cinnamon to the egg and milk mixture and it was perfect! My husband loves it!!

    Reply
  6. Mary N says

    May 10, 2021 at 2:56 am

    5 stars
    Love this!! I used Swiss cause that’s what I had, and added a layer of roughly chopped baby spinach (to make me feel like I was having some greens 😉) and a swipe of raspberry jam! Yum!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 10, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      I love the greens 😂 that makes it healthy… right?? N x

      Reply
  7. Super D says

    December 11, 2020 at 6:11 pm

    Traditionally these are dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam and jelly. Stoked to do this at home, thanks Nagi🙏

    Reply
  8. Lisa Bridges says

    November 8, 2020 at 2:31 am

    5 stars
    Made this with Dijon instead of mayo, and put a fried egg on top – delish!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 9, 2020 at 11:27 am

      YUM!!! Sounds perfect Lisa! N x

      Reply
  9. Muna Tamang says

    September 18, 2020 at 7:47 pm

    Hi Nagi, in the ingredients list, did you mean 3 small eggs /2 large eggs?

    Reply
  10. Khoo Hsien Chun says

    June 27, 2020 at 10:53 am

    5 stars
    Hubby made this for breakfast – it is amazing! Thanks for introducing this to us ❤️

    Reply
  11. Miranda says

    June 17, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    5 stars
    Comfort food! They were great for dinner tonight. Easy and just what we all felt like. Thanks Nagi.

    Reply
  12. Shalou says

    March 19, 2020 at 3:22 am

    Made this for breakfast today. Perfect with a cup of coffee on this dreary, cold day.
    I made it with what was on hand – perfect meal for two.

    Reply
  13. Joanie says

    March 4, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    5 stars
    Hi was leaving a comment for the mc muffins and forgot I had made these amazing monte cristo sandwiches last weekend. Gorgeous, and we should always remember to say thanks to the deliverer of lovely, easy ideas. You’re a star – thanks.

    Reply
  14. Camille says

    November 2, 2019 at 11:21 pm

    you are amazing at what you do!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 3, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you SO much Camille ❤️

      Reply
  15. Dani says

    April 30, 2019 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    Delightful! Just made these with a thin slice of 3 year old parmasain and a slice of cheddar! So yum

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 30, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      Sounds great Dani!

      Reply
  16. ayak badriah says

    October 29, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Great…, thanks for the recipe

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 30, 2017 at 7:36 pm

      Most welcome! 🙂 N x

      Reply
  17. Hazel says

    October 12, 2017 at 11:28 am

    Pro tip: make it in a waffle iron. Best sandwich I’ve ever had.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 15, 2017 at 5:53 pm

      Ummm – YES!

      Reply
  18. Kim says

    May 10, 2017 at 7:44 am

    5 stars
    One of my favorite breakfast sandwiches to make!! I use dijon mustard instead of mayo and keep it savoury. Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 12, 2017 at 7:04 am

      Ooh what a great idea! 🙂

      Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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