Monte Cristo Sandwiches
on Dec 06, 2023, Updated Mar 14, 2024
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Are you ready to explore a scrumptious sandwich that’s loved by people all around the world? Meet the Monte Cristo sandwich! This sandwich is delightful, flavorful and known for its unique combination of sweet and savory ingredients.
A Monte Cristo sandwich, sometimes referred to as a Monte Cristo grilled cheese, is loved for its unique combination of ingredients and flavors. What makes a Monte Cristo truly stand out are its key components and the special way it’s prepared.
A Monte Cristo sandwich consists of soft bread slices filled with ham, turkey, and Provolone, Swiss or Gruyère cheese. The sandwich is dipped in an egg batter and fried until crispy. The result is a mouthwatering Monte Cristo sandwich that’s both savory and sweet, with a satisfying contrast of textures.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Monte Cristo sandwiches blend sweet and savory flavors with ham, turkey, cheese, and special batter.
- Frying creates a satisfying crunchy outer layer, enhancing the tender filling’s flavor.
- Enjoy Monte Cristo sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, ideal for using holiday leftovers.
Recipe Ingredients
- Bread—Soft white sandwich bread forms the base of the Monte Cristo sandwich.
- Mayonnaise—Creamy mayonnaise adds richness and a hint of tangy flavor.
- Dijon Mustard—Dijon mustard provides a subtle spiciness and depth to elevate the taste.
- Provolone Cheese—Provolone, Swiss, or Gruyère cheese brings a creamy, melty goodness.
- Deli Ham—Thinly sliced deli ham contributes a savory, slightly salty taste.
- Deli Turkey—Deli turkey adds another layer of savory goodness and texture.
- Eggs—Eggs create the crispy batter that coats the sandwich.
- Milk—Milk adds creaminess and consistency to the batter.
- Butter— Butter is used for frying, lending a rich, buttery flavor and crispiness to the sandwich.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the meat for sliced avocado, roasted veggies, or even vegan deli slices to create a vegetarian version that’s just as tasty.
- Experiment with sweet fillings like Nutella and banana, or try adding a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup for a dessert-inspired twist.
- Use any bread you like, for example, sourdough, brioche, and French bread are great options.
How To Make Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Step #1. Mix mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on each bread slice.
Step #2. Assemble sandwiches: cheese, ham, turkey, more cheese, and another bread slice (mayo side down) to create two sandwiches.
Step #3. Whisk eggs and milk in a bowl. Dip sandwiches in the mixture.
Step #4. Melt butter in a skillet, cook sandwiches for 2 minutes on each side until golden, and serve immediately. Enjoy your Monte Cristo sandwiches!
Recipe FAQs
Many people prefer using white bread for its soft texture, but you can use whole wheat, sourdough, or any bread you like.
While frying is traditional, you can also bake your sandwich in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes until it’s golden brown.
Absolutely! While Swiss, Gruyère, and Provolone are popular choices, you can get creative with different cheese varieties. Cheddar, mozzarella, or even brie can add unique flavors to your sandwich.
Expert Tips
- Monte Cristo sandwiches are great served alongside with air fryer potato chips, fruits, veggies, roasted potatoes or a soup like this easy pea soup.
- When dipping your sandwich in the batter, be sure to coat it evenly on all sides. This will result in a uniform and crispy crust.
- Swiss and Gruyère cheese are popular choices, but feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese for a unique twist.
- This is a simple sandwich that can be modified to what you have in the pantry.
Can I prepare Monte Cristo sandwiches ahead of time and reheat them?
While it’s best to enjoy Monte Cristo sandwiches fresh for that crispy texture, you can prepare them in advance and reheat them in the oven or a toaster oven to maintain their deliciousness.
Mini Monte Cristo Sandwiches
You can create smaller versions of Monte Cristo sandwiches using slider buns and bite-sized ingredients for a perfect appetizer or party snack.
More Sandwich Recipes To Consider
Pizza & Sandwiches
Homemade Sloppy Joes
Chicken
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Sandwich Recipes
Quick and Easy Chicken Salad
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Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread, (white sandwich bread prefered)
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 6 slices of sliced Provolone cheese, (you can use a swiss or Gruyere cheese)
- 4 slices of Deli Ham, (if you decide to use baked ham, I would omit the turkey)
- 4 slices of Deli Turkey
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard together.
- Spread the mixture evenly on each slice of bread.
- Take one slice of bread and place a slice of Provolone cheese.
- Add 2 slices of ham and 2 slices of turkey on top of the cheese.
- Add 2 more slices of cheese.
- Place a piece of bread, mayonnaise/mustard side down on the cheese. Set aside.
- Repeat steps 3 to 6 for the second sandwich.
- Preheat a skillet on medium heat.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Add in the milk and mix well.
- Take one sandwich and quickly dip into the mixture on both sides. Repeat for the second sandwich.
- Once the pan is heated, add the butter and melt completely.
- Place the dipped sandwiches in the pan and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes on each side.
- Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes until nice and golden.
- Serve immediately!
Notes
- Serve alongside with chips, fruits, veggies, roasted potatoes or a soup.
- Use any bread you like, for example, sourdough, brioche, and French bread are great options.
- Side dish: Serve with a raspberry jam for dipping or add it to the sandwich.
- This sandwich is excellent when eaten fresh.
- This is a simple sandwich that can be modified to what you have in the pantry.
Monte Cristos are my favorite sandwich and have been since the ’60s.
The actual way to make a Monte Cristo It’s pretty much what you said except it is never fried in a frying pan with butter.
After it has been dipped in batter, it is deep fat fried always. Never fried in a frying pan.
That is the original Monte Cristo that I had in countless number of restaurants in Los Angeles where I lived for decades. And it is always served with raspberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Those two items are essential items with an authentic Monte Cristo sandwich.