Croque Monsieur is not your typical ham and cheese sandwich! It has dijon mustard, an egg coating, and is fried into a hot and melty dish.
Croque Monsieur reminds me a bit of a Monte Cristo (another favorite), but it has a completely different taste. Both main dishes are great served with a light Arugula Salad.
What is Croque Monsieur?
While a Monte Cristo is a ham and cheese sandwich dipped in an egg batter, deep fried and topped with powdered sugar, a Croque Monsieur is more like a fancy grilled cheese sandwich using french toast.
It’s a baked or fried ham and cheese sandwich. Sound different? Well, it is, but it’s also very delicious. This dish appeared on menus in Paris, France as early as 1910.
You add all the ingredients to the sandwich and dip it in a milk and egg mixture (almost like french toast!) and fry it in butter just like you would grilled cheese. Easy, right?
It’s savory and melty on the inside, with a golden crispy outside.
How to Make Croque Monsieur
These sandwiches has a few more steps than grilled cheese, but are still just as easy!
ASSEMBLE. Mix mayo and mustard together in a small bowl. Spread onto 4 bread slices. Add cheese and ham to each bread slice. Place the other slice of bread on top of the ham.
PREP. Meanwhile, whisk eggs and milk in a pie plate until well blended. Melt butter in the skillet over medium heat.
DIP + FRY. Dip each sandwich in egg mixture (make sure all sides are coated), then place in buttered pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides (a few minutes on each side).
Bake instead of fry: If you would rather bake your sandwiches, preheat the oven to 425. Prepare the sandwiches as usual, but place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 5-6 minutes flipping halfway through, then turn the oven to broil and broil on each side for about 1-2 minutes watching carefully so they don’t burn.
Variations
Mr. & Mrs. Croque means “crunch” and Monsieur means “mister”. In other words this is a “Mister Crunch” sandwich. You may be thinking, “If there is a Mister can there be a Misses?” I’m glad you asked!
The female counterpart of this sandwich is called a Croque Madame. Make the sandwich the same way except you add a sunny side up egg on top. This is because the fried egg resembles a woman’s hat. How fun is that!
Variations. Aside from turning this sandwich into a croque madame by adding a simple egg you can switch up with other ingredients as well.
- Cheese: Use gruyere cheese or parmesan cheese.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle the top with Herbes de Provence, thyme, nutmeg, salt, black pepper.
- Bread: Use french bread, sourdough, or any brioche-like bread.
- Sauce: Spread the bread with cheesy béchamel sauce.
- Make it mini: Mini sandwiches can be made with baguette bread.
- Milk: Use any type of milk from whole milk to skim.
Serving Suggestions + Storing
Here are a few of our favorites sides to go with this delicious Croque Monsieur Sandwich.
Make ahead of time. I don’t suggest fully making these ahead of time, however you can complete step one and prepare the sandwiches the day before. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can even whisk the eggs and milk together, cover with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge as well. When you’re ready to fully grill them complete steps 3 & 4.
Keeping a Batch Warm. If making a large amount of sandwiches, keep them warm in the oven for about 20 minutes before serving them.
- Place a baking sheet in the oven and heat the oven to 200 degrees and then turn the oven off.
- As you grill the sandwiches, place them on the warm baking sheet, in a single layer.
- If you wish, you can broil them to crisp them up.
STORE leftovers in a Ziploc or wrap in tin foil. Keep them in the fridge for a few days. Reheat in the oven, toaster oven, skillet, or if you’re in a hurry, the microwave.
For more sandwich recipes, check out:
- French Dip Sandwich
- Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese
- Veggie Panini
- Mini Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
Croque Monsieur Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 8 slices firm white bread
- 4 slices swiss cheese
- 8 slices deli ham
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Mix mayo and mustard together in a small bowl. Spread onto 4 bread slices. Add cheese and ham to each bread slice. Place the other slice of bread on top of the ham.
- Meanwhile, whisk eggs and milk in a pie plate until well blended.
- Place butter in a skillet and melt.
- Dip each sandwich in egg mixture (make sure all sides are coated), then place in buttered pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides (a few minutes on each side).
hey girl- this sandwich looks amazing! yummy! I used to live in Bay City, TX ( 32 years ago ha time flies by so fast) South of Houston . Maybe you have heard of it . Y’all have a great weekend!!
Thanks Shawna & yes, I have 🙂 Let me know what you think, if you give it a try!
Hi Kristyn! What temperature should the sandwiches be baked at?
The instructions indicate that the sandwiches are to be baked at 450° without first giving them the kiss of the stovetop, which I found to be unusual. I wonder,…if the oven wasn’t so screaming hot, would it be possible to make this an oven-only recipe? My Croque Monsieur recipe is slightly different than yours, and it is successfully accomplished on only the stovetop. Comments?
[FYI: I am NOT actually typing this text in all-caps, however, that is how it is
appearing in THIS TEXT BOX. I TRIED TYPING MY COMMENT IN ANOTHER PROGRAM
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Hmm..I haven’t tried any other way. I will have to experiment.
I’m going to have to try this for lunch soon! Grilled cheese is one of my go-to’s when I don’t know what to make, so next time before I just do the traditional grilled cheese I’m going to do this instead!
A great litlle sandwich made with this yummy coating on the outside. A step up from a regular sandwich.
There is no better way to eat a sandwich! We love these baked over being fried, but they are delicious either way!
Love what baking or frying does to this sandwich! I need to do this every time!
We have never tried these baked. I love the crispy bread and the yummy cheese and ham. We will be making these more often this summer.
The mustard coating really makes a difference! Nice twist to classic grilled cheese
This takes your ham & cheese sandwich up a level for sure!! Tried frying it & loved the crispy top & bottom. The mustard spread adds a lot of flavor!
What a fun recipe to try instead of the regular grilled cheese!
Oh so yummy , the alternate comfort food -Grilled ham n cheese with Tomato basil soup Yum !!!
I tried an add in , I sliced some apple and it was yummy with smoked Gouda cheese also.
Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed! Thanks for sharing what you did.
Trying tomorrow for brunch!
Let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear!
Delicious! The dijon adds a perfect zing to the sandwich.
My kids are in love with your recipe! I’ll have to agree it is delicious!