It may not be “authentic “ but it still very good and much healthier. I was born and raised in California so I know about “authentic”. Melissa, thanks for another great recipe.

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.