Monte Cristo Sandwich

Ready to amp up your lunch game? I just made the most incredible Monte Cristo sandwich, and I’m obsessed!

Layers of savory ham, turkey, and gooey Swiss cheese are nestled between slices of brioche. Then, it’s dipped in an egg batter and fried to golden perfection.

The powdered sugar dusted on top is the perfect finishing touch.

I served it with a side of crispy fries, which was such a treat. Once you try this Monte Cristo, you’ll be hooked! 

Why You’ll Love This Monte Cristo

Flavor Explosion: The combination of sweet and savory flavors is so unique and delicious.

Comfort Food: These sandwiches are the epitome of comfort food, with gooey cheese and a crispy exterior.

Guaranteed to Impress: They look beautiful and impressive presentation, so they’re perfect for special occasions.

Nostalgic Treat: They’ve been around since the 1950s, so they’re a nice blast from the past.

Ingredients

• White Bread (like Texas Toast or Brioche): Get sturdy, thick-cut bread perfect for soaking up the egg batter.
  
• Deli Ham and Deli Turkey: To provide the savory, protein-packed core of the sandwich.
  
• Swiss Cheese: It has the perfect mild flavor to accompany the meats.
  
• Dijon Mustard: For a sharp, tangy, and creamy, component.
  
• Large Eggs: To give the sandwich a golden, custardy coating.
  
• Milk: It thins out the egg batter for dipping and frying.
  
• Salt and Pepper: A dynamic seasoning duo to add flavor.
  
• Butter: It crisps the bread to a beautiful golden brown.
  
• Powdered Sugar, for Dusting: The perfect finishing touch for your Monte Cristo!
  
• Raspberry Preserves, for Serving: It adds a nice flavor contrast for dipping.

How to Make a Monte Cristo

Don’t be intimidated by these sandwiches! They’re so easy to make.

1. Assemble. Spread the mustard on the bread slices, then layer with Swiss cheese, ham, and turkey. Top with the remaining bread.

2. Make the batter. Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.

3. Melt the butter. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

4. Dip and cook. Coat the sandwiches in the egg batter. Then fry until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted.

5. Cut and plate. Cut the sandwiches diagonally and transfer to serving plates.

6. Garnish and serve. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with raspberry preserves for dipping.

Tips For the Best Monte Cristo

These tried-and-true tips will make your Monte Cristo even better.

• Quality is key. Choose high-quality deli meats like Black Forest ham and roasted turkey for the best flavor.
  
• Be choosy with cheese. Swiss cheese and Gruyère melt the best and complement the other flavors.
  
• Chill before cooking. Wrap the assembled sandwiches tightly. Chill for a few hours or overnight to firm them up.
  
• Keep them secure. Secure the sandwich layers with toothpicks before dipping in the batter to keep everything intact.
  
• Be careful!  Monitor the oil temperature closely and fry until the sandwich is golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels.
  
• Try a fun twist. Try different jams like blackberry or apricot. Or make a breakfast version with bacon and eggs.
  

How to Store

If you have leftover sandwiches, here’s how to keep them fresh.

To Store: Place the Monte Cristo sandwiches in an air-tight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep them separate from any toppings until ready to serve.

To Reheat: The best way to reheat them is in a skillet with a little butter over medium-low heat for a few minutes on each side. You can also heat them in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil for 5-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

Course: Main CourseCuisine: American

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

6

minutes

Calories

785

kcal

This Monte Cristo sandwich is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. You’ll love sinking your teeth into the crispy exterior!

Ingredients

• 8 slices sturdy white bread (like Texas toast or brioche)

• 4 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 8 slices Swiss cheese

• 8 slices deli ham

• 8 slices deli turkey

• 3 large eggs

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 4 tbsp butter

• Powdered sugar, for dusting

• Raspberry preserves, for serving

Instructions

• Spread 1/2 tbsp of Dijon mustard on each slice of bread.
• On 4 slices of bread, layer 1 slice of Swiss cheese, 2 slices of ham, 2 slices of turkey, and 1 more slice of Swiss cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, mustard side down, to make 4 sandwiches. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.
• Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
• Place the battered sandwiches in the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 3-4 minutes. Flip, adding more butter to the pan if needed, and cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, another 3-4 minutes.
• Remove the toothpicks, if using. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and transfer to serving plates. Dust generously with powdered sugar.
• Serve the Monte Cristo sandwiches warm with raspberry preserves on the side for dipping.