Monte Cristo sandwich
Golden Monte Cristo sandwich with ham, turkey and Swiss dipped in egg batter and pan-fried like French toast, dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam.
45% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 12 min
- Serves
- 2
- Calories
- 670
- Protein
- 42 g
- Per serving
- $3.76
Why this recipe works
The Monte Cristo is a ham and cheese sandwich made decadent: dipped in egg batter and fried until golden like French toast, then dusted with powdered sugar and dunked in jam. The sweet and salty mix is the whole point. This version pan-fries it in butter instead of deep-frying.
- A quick dip in an egg-and-milk batter, not a long soak, gives a custardy crust without making the bread soggy.
- Cooking over medium-low heat with a lid for the first side melts the cheese before the outside gets too dark.
- Cheese against the bread on both sides glues the sandwich together so it doesn't slide apart when flipped.
Ingredients
For the batter
To serve
You will need
- Large nonstick skillet with a lid
- Shallow dish for the batter
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Build the sandwiches
Spread 2 slices of bread thinly with mustard. Top each with a slice of Swiss, half the ham, half the turkey and another slice of Swiss, then the remaining bread.
Make the batter
Whisk the eggs, milk and nutmeg in a shallow dish until smooth.
Dip
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Dip each sandwich into the batter for 2 to 3 seconds per side, letting the excess drip off.
Fry
Cook the sandwiches, covered, for 4 to 5 minutes, until deep golden underneath. Flip, uncover and cook 4 minutes more, until golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Serve
Cut in half, dust with powdered sugar and serve right away with raspberry jam for dipping.
Cook's notes
- Slightly stale bread soaks up less batter and holds its shape better than very fresh bread.
- If the outside browns before the cheese melts, finish the sandwiches in a 375°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Hold the first batch in a 200°F oven on a rack while you cook more so they stay crisp.
Nutrition per serving
670 calories
$3.76 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 25% of calories | 42 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 20% of calories | 34 g |
| Fat | 54% of calories | 40 g |
| Fiber | 3 g | |
| Sodium | 1590 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
What is a Monte Cristo sandwich?
A ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich dipped in egg batter and fried until golden, usually dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam.
Is a Monte Cristo deep-fried?
Some restaurants deep-fry it in a thick batter. At home it's most often pan-fried in butter like French toast, which is easier and less greasy.
What jam goes with a Monte Cristo?
Raspberry jam is the classic choice. Strawberry jam, red currant jelly or lingonberry jam work too.
