This Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe features deli ham and turkey and slices of Swiss cheese piled on white bread with raspberry jam. The sandwich is dipped in egg then cooked until golden brown. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch!
Easy Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe
If you’re looking for something a little sweet and a little savory, a Monte Cristo sandwich may be the answer!
The classic sandwich features deli meat and cheese with raspberry jam on bread that’s dipped into an egg mixture. Think French toast meets grilled cheese. It may sound a bit odd if you’ve never tried one before but trust me…it’s a true treat!
Monte Cristo sandwiches have become a hit with the boys. They’re hearty and cheesy plus they’re super simple to make too. It’s like taking a classic grilled cheese to the next level.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet & Savory Sandwich
This Monte Cristo recipe is one of our favorite options for brunch or even lunch. Here’s why:
- Sweet and savory. This sandwich offers the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, with Swiss cheese, deli meat, and raspberry preserves.
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Monte Cristo sandwiches can be enjoyed for pretty much any meal. Served with maple syrup, they’re an excellent option for breakfast or brunch but the savory elements make them perfect for lunch and dinner.
- Easy to customize. Make your sandwich exactly as I do in this recipe or customize with leftover holiday ham, your favorite cheese, or swap out the jam.
What Is A Monte Cristo Sandwich?
A Monte Cristo sandwich is essentially a combination of French toast and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Slices of bread are layered with deli meat and cheese, then dipped in an egg mixture with vanilla and cinnamon and cooked in a skillet until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted.
In this recipe, I added raspberry jam on the bread for an extra bit of sweetness but you can also opt for a more savory option with mustard or mayo.
Recipe Ingredients
Here are the few ingredients you’ll need to assemble your Monte Cristo sandwich. See the recipe card below for measurements.
- White bread – Opt for hearty slices that can withhold all of the toppings.
- Deli meat – I used a combination of ham & turkey.
- Cheese – Swiss cheese compliments the ham and turkey.
- Raspberry jam – Adds a tart sweetness to balance out the savory flavors.
- Egg – For dipping the bread.
- Milk
- Cinnamon extract – Adds a warm flavor to the bread.
- Vanilla
- Butter – To grease the pan.
How To Make A Monte Cristo Sandwich
Here’s an overview of how to make a Monte Cristo. See the recipe card below for measurements.
- Prepare the egg. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a shallow dish or bowl.
- Assemble the sandwiches. Lay out all of the bread. Spread a thin layer of jam on each bread slice. Place 2 slices of turkey, 2 slices of ham, and 2 slices of cheese on four pieces of bread. Top with another slice, jam side down.
- Dip the sandwiches. Preheat the skillet. Dip each sandwich into the egg batter, coating both sides evenly.
- Cook. Place the dip sandwiches onto a preheated skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Enjoy!
Sandwich Variations
Feel free to customize the Monte Cristo sandwiches according to your preferences. Here are some suggestions:
- Additions or Add-ons: You can enhance the flavor and texture of the sandwich by adding sliced pickles, sliced tomatoes, or even a layer of crispy bacon.
- Leaving off the Jam: If you prefer a savory version of the Monte Cristo, you can skip the raspberry jam altogether. You can also opt to replace the jam with mayo and mustard.
- Adjusting Meat and Cheese: You can add more or fewer slices of ham, turkey, or Swiss cheese based on your taste. You can also substitute the deli meats with other options like roast beef or chicken.
- Use leftover ham: Instead of deli meat, you can also make your Monte Cristo with some leftover holiday ham or Thanksgiving turkey.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Monte Cristo sandwiches warm with maple syrup or additional raspberry jam for dipping if desired. The sweetness of these toppings complements the savory flavors of the sandwich nicely.
For a sweeter touch, you can dust the sandwiches with powdered sugar before serving.
If you’d like a side dish, you can consider some tomato soup for dipping, if you’re opting for the savory route.
More Sandwich Recipes To Try
- Popeyes Chicken Sandwich
- BBQ Beef Sandwich
- Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
- Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- French Dip Sandwiches
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Ingredients
- 8 slices hearty white bread
- 8 slices deli ham
- 8 slices deli turkey
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Butter for greasing the pan
- Powdered sugar for dusting optional
- Maple syrup or additional raspberry jam for dipping optional
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Lay out the slices of bread on a clean surface.
- Spread a thin layer of raspberry jam on one side of each bread slice.
- Place 2 slices of ham, 2 slices of turkey, and 2 slices of Swiss cheese on four of the bread slices with the jam.
- Top each sandwich with another bread slice, jam side down, to complete the sandwiches.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter.
- Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly. Allow any excess egg mixture to drip off.
- Carefully place the dipped sandwiches onto the preheated skillet or griddle.
- Cook each side for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the sandwiches from the heat and let them cool slightly.
- Optional: Dust the sandwiches with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Serve the Monte Cristo sandwiches warm with maple syrup or additional raspberry jam for dipping, if desired. Enjoy!
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Video
Nutrition
Leave a Review!
We LOVE hearing from you! Submit your question or comment here.
Your email address will not be published.
4 comments on “Monte Cristo Sandwich”
just a thought:Giving a history of such on different sandwich’s such as the Monte Cristo …. In Hawaii Spam sandwich’s are an item . Maybe throw in a couple of their recipes…
i have made them using apple jam and they were wonderful
Yum! Will have to try it with apple jam.
i have made them using grape jam and they were wonderful