This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Fried, coated in powdered sugar, & served with a raspberry dip, this Monte Cristo sandwich recipe is famously delicious!
A Fav Disneyland Copycat
Have you ever had a Monte Cristo sandwich?!
A Monte Cristo is a fried ham and cheese sandwich that is a variation of the French Croque Monsieur Sandwich. Its name is a tribute to the French novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
This sandwich is available at many restaurants, but is also a Disneyland favorite of mine. It is included on the menu at both Café Orleans and Blue Bayou in Disneyland, and is a recipe we are so happy we can now make at home.
Why we love them
- The flavor! The sandwich is a delightful combination of savory and sweet.
- Easy. These sandwiches are very easy to make and can be made in a deep fryer, or a skillet with oil.
- Tasty twist. It’s kind of a variation on a traditional Grilled Cheese Sandwich and French Toast.
Make them mini as an appetizer or for dinner, and they’re guaranteed hits!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 12 – 18 turkey slices
- 12 Swiss cheese slices – I love Swiss, but you could also use provolone, mozzarella, muenster, or gruyere.
- 12 – 18 ham slices
- 12 slices white bread – I use a simple white sandwich bread for this recipe, but you can use challah or brioche.
- vegetable oil – or another high smoking point oil like canola oil or peanut oil
- powdered sugar
How to Make a Monte Cristo Sandwich
- BATTER. Sift together dry ingredients (1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt). In a separate bowl, whisk 1 1/3 cups water and 1 egg. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and blend thoroughly.
- ASSEMBLE. Make sandwiches, placing 1 slice of cheese between 2 slices of turkey and 2 slices of ham. Cut sandwiches in half, put in a toothpick to hold the sandwich together.
- FRY. Dip in egg batter and fry in 360°F oil, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Remove toothpick and add a dusting of powdered sugar.
Make in an air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350ºF. Line your basket with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes. Flip the sandwich, and fry for another 8-10 minutes. Replace the foil with each sandwich you fry. Enjoy!
How to Make Raspberry Dip
- COMBINE. In a saucepan add ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ¼ cup cold water, and ¼ cup lemon juice.
- Mix, then add 2 cups of fresh or frozen raspberries. At this point, add more sugar to taste if you want it sweeter.
- BOIL. Bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- SERVE. Spread the sauce onto the inside of slices of bread, add deli ham, turkey, and cheese, or use it as a dipping sauce.
If you’re not up to making the raspberry sauce, use a jar of raspberry jam or raspberry preserves.
Complete the Meal:
- SIDES: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Strawberry Jam, Pommes Frites
- MAIN DISHES: Caprese Pizza, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Wonton Nachos
- DESSERTS: Churro Recipe, Dole Whip, Funnel Cake, Grey Stuff, Jack Jack Num Num Cookie, Mickey Beignet
More Collections: Disney Recipes, New Year’s Eve Appetizers, Super Bowl Appetizers
Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg beaten
- 1⅓ cups water
- 12-18 slices turkey
- 12 slices Swiss cheese
- 12-18 slices ham
- 12 slices white bread
- vegetable oil for frying
- powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix egg and water. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and blend thoroughly.
- Stack 2-3 slices each of turkey, cheese, and ham, in that order, onto bread and top each sandwich with a second slice of bread. Cut sandwiches in half and put a toothpick in each half to hold sandwiches together.
- In a large pot, heat about 3 inches of oil over medium-high heat to 360°F.
- Working in batches, dip each sandwich half in batter and fry in hot oil until golden, about 3 minutes on each side.
- Drain on paper towels. Remove toothpicks and sprinkle sandwiches with powdered sugar just before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ + Tips
Are there good variations of Monte Cristo Sandwiches?
- At Café Orleans, they also serve an all-cheese version, which would be easy to do. Just layer several more slices of cheese instead of meat!
- Add extra flavor by mixing the powdered sugar with a bit of cinnamon.
- Add flavor by spreading Dijon mustard and mayonnaise on the inside slices of bread.
Can you make Monte Cristos ahead of time?
Prep ahead of time. Assemble the sandwiches, but do not dip in batter. Store covered in the fridge for 1-2 days. Dip in batter and finish the recipe as directed.
How to Store Monte Cristo Sandwiches?
- STORE leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. We don’t recommend using a microwave to reheat. Use the stovetop, toaster oven, or standard oven instead.
- FREEZE. The Monte Cristo sandwich is best eaten right away, but can safely freeze for 1-2 months to use later. Wrap cooled sandwiches individually with plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Label the contents including the date.
- To reheat. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the plastic wrap and wrap the sandwich in foil. Place in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. Remove the foil and broil the sandwich for 1-2 minutes on each side, to get a crispier crust. Top with powdered sugar and jam.
My favorite sandwich 🤤
This is so yummy. It hits the sweet and savory spot just perfectly. Too bad I didn’t have Disney street music playing for the full effect. Next time.
LOL..I wish!! Thank you!
One of my favorite memories of my one trip to Disneyland over 30 years ago (yikes that makes me feel old!) was eating at the restaurant by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and having a minute cristo for the first time. No other version has ever measured up. These were sooo good and my family loved them!
My favorite sandwich of all time!
OMG These were so good! Love the homemade batter around the cheese and meat!
This is such a great classic sandwich. All of these flavors combine so well together. I haven’t made it in a long time. It’s time for sure!
You will love the warmth and gooEyness of this sandwich. It kind of just melts in your mouth. It has a little crust on it after its deep fRied with a dusting of powdered sugar.
I have always wanted to try these at Disneyland, but never have…now I know I’ve been missing out! I am so glad I can make them at home. the powdered sugar on these, gives a sweet & delicious taste!
This is such a fun sandwich to make for family and friends. Everyone loves it! The mess is soo worth it!
I love that your’s is the only recipe that fry’s the sandwiches already sliced in half. That’s the original way!
Only way 🙂 Thank you so much!