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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

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  • 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. Alexander Schenck says

    April 9, 2017 at 3:30 am

    What is an egg flip?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 10, 2017 at 6:10 pm

      I think it’s also called a turner? Spatula?? It’s flat and used to flip pancakes over!

      Reply
  2. Lori says

    April 3, 2017 at 3:50 am

    5 stars
    Wow – the sandwich using jam instead of mayo, with the runny egg on top and then dipped in maple syrup is the bomb! 5 star rating includes the extras. I tried it without and it wasn’t the same.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 3, 2017 at 9:40 am

      Woah! OK you’ve convinced me!!!

      Reply
  3. Kelley evenson says

    October 19, 2016 at 4:56 am

    These are always good! Loved them at bennigans with raspberry jelly!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 19, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks Kelley, so glad you enjoyed it! N x

      Reply
  4. Lyda says

    August 10, 2016 at 11:20 am

    I made these tonight for my husband and son, they loved it! My hubby said was a good different kinda sandwich. I just wish I had seen the note about powdered sugar and syrup before I served them and they were devoured, would’ve been an even bigger hit. I will def make these again. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Lyda says

      August 10, 2016 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      Forgot the stars!

      Reply
      • Nagi says

        August 11, 2016 at 8:09 pm

        🙂 N x

        Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 11, 2016 at 8:09 pm

      Thanks for trying my recipe Lyda, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! N x

      Reply
  5. Daddygray says

    June 16, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    Why are there grill marks on one side? You used 2 different pans or you are just cutting and pasting pics. This isn’t something you made. The end product doesn’t match. My 13yr old even BS. And why is it when I go to rate your recipe, no matter what star I touch it’s always 5 stars?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 17, 2016 at 10:46 am

      Hi there! I showed 2 pictures from 2 different times I made it, one in an ordinary skillet with no lines and one with a skillet with griddle lines on it 🙂 You may notice that the bread I used in each is different? I’m sorry I did not realise there was a problem with the stars, I will check it out, thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  6. Nancy says

    May 3, 2016 at 6:41 pm

    5 stars
    One of my favorite “splurge” sandwiches, you forgot the most important ingredient…….REAL maple syrup to dip the sandwich in….a Monte Cristo is not complete without it!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 4, 2016 at 10:31 pm

      I’m on the fence on that one Nancy!!! 🙂 But yes you are right, I should totally update this for maple syrup, it is definitely the classic way!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Bam's Kitchen says

    December 31, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks so much Nagi for sorting the whats for breakfast question. Im’s thinking Artisan bread with a little thicker crust might be good but maybe we need to do a little QA testing with the boys and get a family consensus on this… LOL Wishing you and your family a super 2016!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:57 pm

      I look forward to the result of the market testing.

      HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO!!! N x

      Reply
  8. NachoJones says

    December 31, 2015 at 2:11 am

    Oh Nagi you’re smart. I was just sitting here thinking about what to do with 3 left over pounds of Honey baked. You’re brilliant. And I too will be adding something to dip the sandwiches in. There is a local place that sells Monte Cristo’s with a raspberry jelly/syrup for dipping. It’s freaking awesome. So I have to figure out a recipe for that and I’m good to go. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Happy New Year. Thanks for all the great cooking goodness this past year. Looking forward to this coming year. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nacho Jones says

      December 31, 2015 at 10:16 am

      5 stars
      OK. I made them and my wife, son and I give them 3 thumbs up. Thanks for another great recipe. Very fast, easy and delicious. And to use up the rest of the ham I made a Ham and potato chowder for the next couple days (from another site). Happy New Year All!!

      Reply
      • Nagi | RecipeTin says

        January 2, 2016 at 6:55 pm

        YEE HA!! Yay! SO glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂 And HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too! N x

        Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:53 pm

      Ooh, I totally forgot to mention powdered sugar and dipping syrup!! I must admit I don’t make it with them, I just love it so much just plain, I don’t feel the need. And HAPPY NEW YEAR / MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too!! Thank you so much for reading and the wonderful messages you leave me 🙂 I love hearing what you think about my recipes!!

      Reply
  9. Holly | Beyond Kimchee says

    December 29, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Monte Cristo is my husband’s absolute favorite sandwich. He will be thrilled if I serve yours. I haven’t made them for some time and I think it is about the time to make him happy again. Thanks for sharing, Nagi. Have a happy new year!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:32 pm

      In all my years, I have never had anyone tell me that!! HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too Holly!! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    December 28, 2015 at 9:08 am

    5 stars
    I do love a good Monte Cristo sandwich and I love ideas like this for leftovers that are different enough from the original dish so you don’t feel like you’re eating the same thing over and over. And don’t judge me if I top this with a runny yolked fried egg… 😉 xoxo

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:25 pm

      I would NEVER judge you Marissa! You have amazing taste in food, as you very well know!!! 😉 N x

      Reply
  11. mira says

    December 28, 2015 at 5:08 am

    Merry Christmas Nagi! This is one of my favorite sandwiches and I can’t believe I haven’t had it in a while! Will definitely make it very soon!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:25 pm

      MERRY CHRISTMAS MIRA!! And Happy New Year too!!! Here’s to an AWESOME 2016!! <3

      Reply
  12. Vanessa Baggio says

    December 27, 2015 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    YUM YUM YUM
    brunch this morning – boy my waistline needs some serious attention after these amazing recipes!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:22 pm

      Vanessa…..my NY resolution was (as with every other year) to eat more healthy and lose weight. And get fit.

      Sigh. With food like this in the world, it is SO HARD!!!! 😉

      Reply
  13. Louise Laliberte says

    December 27, 2015 at 2:10 am

    Hi there, I have been eating these all my life, very happy to see you have introduced Monte Cristos to a bunch of your followers! Good work, as always.

    Happy New Year to everyone from your friends in Canada!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:18 pm

      I was WAITING to share these for so long!!! I love love LOVE them. 🙂 And HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too Louise!!

      Reply
  14. Nancy | Plus Ate Six says

    December 26, 2015 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    I still have 3kg of ham left in the fridge – this has my name ALL over it 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      So tell me – did you get THROUGH IT ALL? Or is your freezer packed to the max with ham – ba ha ha!!!

      Reply
  15. Caitlyn says

    December 26, 2015 at 11:11 am

    I love Monte Cristos! I always make them using apple butter or jam rather than mayo, and usually a thinly sliced fruit with the ham and cheese (like pear or apple). When finished cooking, we add a light sprinkling of powdered sugar and have extra jam/apple butter for dipping. Sweet and savory–yum!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      Ooh, I tried it with the powdered sugar at a diner in the states! It WAS yum!! I should definately add that tip into the notes!!!

      Reply
  16. Krista Bjorn says

    December 26, 2015 at 10:57 am

    5 stars
    Oh Nagi, these look divine! Perfect after Christmas comfort food. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      January 2, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks so much Krista! Hope you had an incredible Christmas!! N xx

      Reply
  17. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

    December 26, 2015 at 8:54 am

    5 stars
    How about breakfast for dinner?? I could eat these sandwiches for lunch too. How about as a snack?? Or it could be an appetizer. That crusty bread looks so good –mmmmmmm!! I really am hungry. I knew I shouldn’t have opened up the post — now I’m ravenous. I didn’t have lunch and it will be a while until dinner 🙁 Great recipe as usual . Hope your Christmas was merry.

    Reply
  18. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    December 26, 2015 at 6:55 am

    You do cheese and ham soooooooo well Nagi – happy holidays. xxx

    Reply
  19. Dorothy Dunton says

    December 26, 2015 at 4:16 am

    Hi Nagi! Back when we had our office in MI a friend of ours had a restaurant across the street and they made the best Monte Cristo sandwiches! I ordered them every time we had lunch there. I haven’t had one in years, but I soon will thanks to you! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    December 25, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    5 stars
    I am so full from Christmas but I swear I couldn’t turn this down.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
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