It isn’t every day that you get to have a sugar-dusted sandwich, but that day could be today! A Monte Cristo sandwich might look fancy, but don’t let that stop you from making one at home. The recipe is actually quite easy.
The Monte Cristo sandwich boasts a unique blend of savory and sweet ingredients. It’s filled with ham, turkey, raspberry jam and Swiss cheese, then dipped in a batter much like the one you use in French toast. The sandwich is pan-fried until brown and crispy, then served with even more raspberry jam for dipping.
When you’re ready to take your usual roster of sandwich recipes up a notch, this is the one to try!
Why is it called a Monte Cristo?
The exact origins of the Monte Cristo sandwich are unknown! The recipe likely derived from the French sandwich croque-monsieur, which is made with slices of ham and Gruyere or Emmental cheese, and is sometimes battered and toasted in butter.
The creator of this sandwich might have looked to another French classic, a novel called The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Generic versions of the sandwich began appearing on American menus during the first half of the 20th century, with some sources saying that it was created in California. In the ’60s, the Monte Cristo was added to menus at the Blue Bayou restaurant in Disneyland’s Louisiana-themed New Orleans Square. From there, the sandwich became an American favorite.
Ingredients for Monte Cristo Sandwiches
- Bread: White bread is the traditional pick for this sandwich. You can use slices from a rustic loaf, sourdough or regular sandwich bread. You can also use a sweet variety like brioche, Hawaiian sweet bread or Portuguese sweet bread, as long as the slices aren’t too soft or thin. They have to hold up to the battering and frying steps.
- Raspberry jam: A fruity spread is surprisingly delicious with this savory sandwich. Jam is spread inside the sandwich and also served on the side, because every bite of the Monte Cristo is better dipped in jam.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon is a creamy French mustard made with white wine. Its distinctively tangy flavor pairs well with the ham, turkey and cheese, and it helps balance the sweet and savory flavors in the sandwich. Use store-bought mustard, or whip up our homemade Dijon mustard recipe!
- Gruyere cheese: Young varieties of Gruyere (which are not aged as long) are best for this sandwich as they’re milder and melt more easily. Since Gruyere is a type of Swiss cheese, Emmental or Alpine Swiss cheese can also be used.
- Ham: A Monte Cristo sandwich is a great leftover ham recipe. Use up what’s left from a holiday ham, whether it’s smoked or sweetened with honey or maple. Otherwise, choose thin slices of ham from the deli counter.
- Turkey: Monte Cristos are also lovely leftover turkey recipes! Get your favorite smoked or sweet variety of turkey from the deli, or make a batch of Monte Cristos with leftover roast turkey sliced thin.
- Eggs: Use large eggs for this recipe. They form the base of the sandwich batter.
- Milk: Our recipe calls for 2% milk. It’s lower in fat than whole milk but still creamy enough to make a thick batter that will cling to the sandwich, creating the crispy browned coating.
- Spices: Much like your favorite French toast recipe, the batter includes cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and a little vanilla extract.
- Confectioners’ sugar: The final, sweet touch on this sweet-savory sandwich is a dusting of sugar. Use a shaker, flour sifter or mesh strainer to shake a fine layer over the top.
Directions
Step 1: Assemble the sandwiches
Spread two slices of bread with raspberry jam, and the other two slices with Dijon mustard.
Sprinkle each of the jam-topped slices with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Then layer the jam-topped slices evenly with the sliced ham and sliced turkey.
Add another 1/4 cup shredded cheese over the meat. Top each sandwich with the remaining two slices of bread, with the mustard sides down.
Step 2: Make the batter
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg until blended.
Step 3: Dip and fry
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip both sides of the sandwiches in the egg batter, then quickly place them in the hot butter in the skillet. Cook the sandwiches until golden brown and cheese is melted, two to three minutes per side.
Step 4: Serve
Dust the sandwiches with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm with extra raspberry jam on the side for dipping.
Monte Cristo Variations
- Add crunch with cornflakes: Turn this into a cornflake recipe by crushing 1-1/2 cups of cereal to coarse crumbs in a shallow bowl. After dipping the sandwiches in egg batter, coat both sides in the crumbs. Then cook the sandwiches as directed.
- Try a different jam: Try other jam flavors like red currant, blackberry and apple. You can also try a savory tomato or bacon jam in this sandwich.
- Change up the cheese: Swap in another cheese variety, such as fontina, Comté, raclette, cheddar, Colby or Monterey Jack.
- Swap out the meat: Instead of using turkey, use thin slices of chicken breast or deli chicken along with the ham. You could even omit the ham and make your Monte Cristo with all chicken or all turkey.
- Use half-and-half: Make a more-indulgent Monte Cristo by swapping the milk out for half-and-half, which is made with heavy cream. The batter will be thicker and creamier. Evaporated milk is another option. Since it contains less water, it’s creamier than regular milk.
How to Store Monte Cristo Sandwiches
If you have leftover sandwiches, let them cool completely. Wrap them up, or place them in an airtight food storage container, then store them in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them in a warm skillet with a little melted butter, or wrap them in foil and warm through in a low-temperature oven.
Can you make Monte Cristo sandwiches ahead of time?
Yes, you can save time by preparing the sandwiches and batter in advance, so that frying them up will take just a matter of minutes. Assemble the sandwiches according to the recipe, then wrap them tightly, and store them in the fridge. Whisk together the batter ingredients, cover the bowl, and store this in the fridge as well. You can keep the sandwiches and batter in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, dip and fry them as directed.
Monte Cristo Sandwich Tips
What can you serve with Monte Cristo sandwiches?
The sandwich is very rich, filled with a blend of sweet and savory flavors. When serving it for brunch, pair it with simple sides like a berry nectarine salad or crisp breakfast potatoes. For lunch or dinner, try sides like a brothy chicken noodle soup or a green salad.
What’s the difference between a croque-monsieur, a croque-madame and a Monte Cristo?
A croque-monsieur sandwich consists of sliced ham and Gruyere between thick slices of white bread. The sandwich is either toasted in a skillet with melted butter, or it’s dipped in an egg batter then fried. Some croque-monsieurs are cooked in a special sandwich maker with seashell-shaped wells.
A croque-madame is the same as a croque-monsieur, but it’s served with a poached or fried egg on top.
In contrast, a Monte Cristo has ham, turkey and cheese, along with raspberry jam spread inside. It’s dipped in egg batter, fried and served with jam and a coating of confectioners’ sugar.
