This delicious Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe features ham, turkey, and Swiss Cheese between two slices of white bread dipped in egg batter and fried golden brown in a skillet. For a traditional sandwich, serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a side of jam for a sweet and savory combination.
This delicious and easy sandwich is a family favorite and a great brunch recipe. It takes just a few minutes to make and is so yummy. This recipe is very similar to the one on the menu at Disneyland in California, but it is pan-fried instead of deep-fried.
For a fun and tasty tradition, serve them with a dusting of powdered sugar and strawberry or raspberry jam for dipping. Pick an excellent hearty white bread that would hold up well made into French toast. If you like this sandwich, try ham and cheese sliders, ham and cheese pinwheels, and scalloped potatoes and ham.
What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?
A Monte Cristo sandwich is a ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese sandwich dipped into egg batter or custard and deep-fried. It is almost like eating a grilled cheese sandwich, with all the goodies inside sandwiched between French Toast.
It is traditionally served with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a side of strawberry or raspberry jam.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Nutmeg: I like to use just a pinch for subtle flavor, but you can omit it if you do not like nutmeg.
- Bread: challah, brioche, or sourdough bread
- Mustard: dijon mustard, spicy brown mustard, or yellow mustard
- Cheese: Gruyere or Swiss
- Deli meat: I like to use a combination of sliced ham and turkey. I think the flavor is superior when both types of meat are used.
- Powdered sugar: also known as confectioners sugar. Just a little sprinkle to make it a traditional Monte Cristo.
- Jam: strawberry or raspberry jam for the game changer.
How to Make a Monte Cristo Sandwich
First, whisk the eggs, milk, nutmeg, and salt together. Assemble the sandwiches and melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat. Dip both sides of the sandwiches in the egg mixture. Then, fry them up in the butter, turning to brown them on both sides, melt the cheese, and heat the ham and turkey. Serve traditional style with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and with a side of strawberry or raspberry jam.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Inevitably, some egg batter will get on the rest of the sandwich when dunking it, so be sure to cover the skillet after a few minutes with a loose piece of aluminum foil. This will help to ensure that any egg batter that clung to the meat or cheese cooks through.
- Monte Cristo sandwiches are best served promptly. When making multiple sandwiches, place the ones already pan-fried on an ovenproof plate and warm them in the oven while you finish cooking the others.
- This is a large filling sandwich, so it could easily feed two people.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t like Swiss Cheese, replace it with mozzarella, provolone, Muenster, or Gruyere. As long as it melts well and you like the taste of it, go for it.
Most Monte Cristos are deep fried, but this recipe calls for pan frying, like French toast. Cover the pan with a loose piece of aluminum foil to ensure the egg mixture cooks through.
Monte Cristos are best served promptly. However, you can assemble the sandwiches in advance and cover them with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. Remove the sandwiches from the fridge 30-40 minutes before starting the recipe.
Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk preferably whole or 2%
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 slices white bread like brioche or challah
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 slices deli turkey
- 4 slices deli ham
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar optional
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam optional
Instructions
- In a wide bowl, whisk your eggs, milk, nutmeg, and salt together.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on 2 bread slices and 1 tablespoon mustard on the other 2 bread slices. Place one piece of Swiss Cheese on each slice of bread covered with mustard. Layer each mayonnaise slice with 2 slices ham and 2 slices turkey. Bring the pieces of bread together to form 2 full sandwiches. Using a cutting board, gently compress the sandwich a bit.
- Now melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture, turning to coat both sides.
- Add the sandwich to the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides. Cover the pan with a loose piece of aluminum foil to make sure the cheese melts, and any egg mixture cooks through.
- If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with a side of strawberry or raspberry jam.
Notes
- Inevitably, some egg batter will get on the rest of the sandwich when dunking it, so be sure to cover the skillet after a few minutes with a loose piece of aluminum foil. This will help to ensure that any egg batter that clung to the meat or cheese cooks through.
- Monte Cristo sandwiches are best served promptly. When making multiple sandwiches, place the ones already pan-fried on an ovenproof plate and warm them in the oven while you finish cooking the others.
- This is a large filling sandwich, so it could easily feed two people.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Joy
I’ve been craving a monte cristo sandwich since being at Disneyland recently. The nutmeg sounds like the winning ingredient. I’m definitely saving to try this weekend.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Joy!
Kristine
Yum! I have had these in restaurants but have never seen a recipe. Thank you for an easy-to-make-at-home recipe and easy-to-follow instructions!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Kristine.
Lisa
WOW, this sandwich is so tasty and so much easier than the deep fried version. I loved it. It would be great with some tortellini soup.
Kim
This monte cristo sandwich recipe was absolutely delicious! The kids and I loved it. It reminded us of the great time we had at Disney World.
Claudia
This is a great Monte Cristo! It balances all the flavors perfectly, and it’s super easy. That’s a fantastic combo!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Claudia!
Ellen
I love your recipes, Beth! This one was particularly delicious and I loved that it was not deep fried. It tastes even better without all that oil and so much easier to make.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ellen! I am so glad that you like the sandwich!
Ned
The best sandwich I have had in quite some time. A nice change from the standard ham and cheese. I will definately make this again.
Catherine
Great sandwich! We loved it. So much flavor. I served it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and strawberry jam. I can’t wait to make it again./
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catherine! So glad that you all liked it!
Renee
This recipe is the best. It was easy and it made my taste buds dance. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy K
This monte cristo sandwich was delicious and a lot lighter than the deep fried version.