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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Published: Aug 29, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2023 by Jeremy Klae · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    You're in for a treat with this Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe! It's pretty rare on a Sandwich Saturday that I don't just go for the authentic version of a sandwich. I mean, that's the whole point of this project anyway.

    After doing some research, I found out some information that I never knew before.

    There are very distinct differences between an Authentic Monte Cristo Sandwich from New Hampshire, and its counter part served at chain restaurants around the country.

    and that is why today I give you...

    Two Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipes!

    Let's first dive into a little history around this sweet and savory brunchy, lunchy, Dinnery treat, shall we?

    The Monte Cristo Sandwich is New Hampshires most famous sandwich. Why? I have absolutely no clue. I have done plenty of research on the origins of this sandwich, and nothing that I've found even mentions New Hampshire.

    The Monte Cristo Sandwich was originally brought to the US in the 50's, and is a take on the French Croque-Monsieur. There were many cookbooks throughout the 50's and 60's with recipes for a "french sandwich" or "French Toast Sandwich".

    The rest honestly sounds like a lot of speculation. I've read that they were created at Disneyland, some just say California, while others mentioned Monte Cristo, Washington.

    It's a well known fact that the Monte Cristo Sandwich is New Hampshire's most popular sandwich. Which, after making two versions of the Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe, I can see why!

    I say we just go ahead and jump right into the well known version first.

    Let's get to cookin'!

    Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

    In the 1st version of the Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe, I'm putting the sandwich together, dipping it in its entirety, and deep frying the sandwich.

    A deep fried Monte Cristo Sandwich served with Hatch Chile Strawberry Rhubarb Preserve and topped with powdered sugar.

    In the 2nd version, I'm dipping each side in batter, very similar to that of french toast, and then cooking on a cast Iron griddle.

    Monte Cristo Sandwich sliced and served with powdered sugar grapes and maple syrup.
    The Sandwich

    First things first, let's prepare the sandwich ingredients. We'll need 3 slices of bread for one whole sandwich. I have to be honest though, on this sandwich, I can only eat half. But, for the sake of the recipe we will call it one whole sandwich.

    Lay the pieces of bread out, on one piece place Swiss cheese and ham, now add a piece of bread then turkey and cheddar cheese, then another piece of bread.

    So again, bread-cheese-meat-bread-meat-cheese.

    This way you have the cheese on the outer most parts of the sandwich to ensure they melt.

    Then SMUSH the sandwich down to make it flat. Now, if you're anything like me you might be thinking,

    "but I don't wanna smush it, I want it fluffy. It will look prettier and be soft."

    NO! SMUSH IT! SMUSH IT REAL GOOD!

    Good, that was a great Smush!

    This is the exact same process for both Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipes.

    The Deep Fried Batter

    Let's start with the deep fried version of this Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe.

    For this batter mix eggs, ice water, AP flour, and baking soda. The measurements of course depend on how many sandwiches you're going to make. This batter isn't sweet, and purposely doesn't have a ton of flavor other than just a regular batter. I prefer that the sweetness comes from the dipping sauce and the powder sugar which pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the sandwich itself. Basically the batter is for texture with a fried almost funnel cake like flavor.

    For the deep fried sandwich I used a small Secura deep fryer and vegetable oil. Preheat your oil to 375°f. Once you've fully dipped the sandwiches place them in the fryer and fry one side until golden brown, and then flip to repeat on that side. Remove to a tray lined in paper towels and do the same for the rest of your sandwiches.

    The New Hampshire Batter

    For the New Hampshire style of the Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe we are basically making a french toast batter.

    In a large but somewhat shallow bowl you're going to mix flour, milk, salt, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and white sugar.

    Whisk that all together, dip one side of the sandwich then the other, and immediately put that on a medium low, preheated, electric, gas, or cast iron griddle.

    Using a spatula press the sandwich down and allow it to brown up. Flip the sandwich over and repeat on that side.

    How to Serve A Monte Cristo Sandwich

    The deep fried version of a Monte Cristo Sandwich is traditionally served sprinkled with powdered sugar, with a fruit jelly and french fries on the side. So thats exactly what I did.

    I didn't make the fries, in fact I used a bag of frozen waffle fries and tossed them in the air fryer. Actually I didn't even do that. My wife did. So the fries aren't pictured for many reasons. But darn it they were good!

    We had the sandwich for dinner and it was fantastic. It wasn't too sweet or heavy and was perfect with the fries.

    Now, in place of the jelly I made a Strawberry Rhubarb Hatch Green Chile Reduction. A big name with an even bigger flavor profile!

    Click that link and it will take you right over to that recipe as well!

    The New Hampshire style Monte Cristo Sandwich is traditionally served with maple syrup in place of the fruit jelly.

    Again, thats what I did.

    In fact, I had this sandwich for brunch. I had a bowl of grapes on the side with some maple syrup for dipping and sprinkled the sandwich with powdered sugar.

    IT WAS AMAZING!

    📖 Recipe

    Monte Cristo Sandwich sliced and served with powdered sugar grapes and maple syrup.

    Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

    Two ways to make a Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe. New Hampshire's most popular sandwich or the rest of the countries deep fried version. Either way you can't go wrong!
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: American, French
    Cuisine: Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 400kcal
    Author: Jeremy Klae

    Ingredients

    Deep Fried Monte Cristo Sandwich

    • Vegetable Oil for Frying
    • Thick Cut White Bread
    • Swiss Cheese
    • Mild Cheddar Cheese
    • Deli Sliced Ham
    • Deli Sliced Turkey

    Batter

    • 4 Egg Yolks
    • 2 Cups Ice Water
    • 2 Cups AP Flour
    • 2 teaspoon Baking Soda

    Dipping Sauce

    • Strawberry Rhubarb Hatch Green Chile Reduction (Or your favorite Jelly/Jam)

    Garnish

    • Powdered Sugar

    New Hampshire Stye Monte Cristo Sandwich

    • Thick Cut White Bread
    • Swiss Cheese
    • Mild Cheddar Cheese
    • Deli Sliced Ham
    • Deli Sliced Turkey

    Batter

    • 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon AP Flour
    • ⅓ Cup of Milk
    • Pinch of Salt
    • 1 Egg
    • ⅛ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 teaspoon White Sugar

    Dipping

    • Maple Syrup

    Garnish

    • Powdered Sugar

    Instructions

    For the sandwiches

    • Lay out three pieces of bread.
    • On one piece place Swiss cheese and ham.
    • Add another piece of bread.
    • Now Turkey and cheddar cheese.
    • Top with another piece of bread.
    • Smush sandwich down.

    Deep Fry

    • Heat Vegetable oil to 375°f
    • Mix all batter ingredients together.
    • Dip the entire sandwich and then place in fryer. Allow one side to get brown about 3-4 minutes flip and repeat then remove to a paper towel lined tray.

    New Hampshire Style

    • Preheat Cast Iron Griddle at medium-low on Stove Top.
    • Mix all better ingredients together.
    • Dip one side and then other.
    • Place the sandwich on the cast iron griddle, cook for a couple minutes. Flip and cook a few more, flip over again to brown the first side.

    Serve

    • Serve these with their respective dipping sauces and fresh fruit, french fries, etc.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 400kcal
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ChickenFriedKitchen or tag #chickenfriedkitchen!

    In Conclusion

    I've covered two ways to make a Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe with you.

    Both are delicious and I highly recommend trying each of them.

    They certainly aren't health foods so I wouldn't meal plan them for the week, but if you're looking to treat yourself or house guests this will be a great way to do so for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

    I personally prefer the New Hampshire style Monte Cristo to its counterpart. But again, give them both a shot and certainly don't forget about that AMAZING Reduction recipe!

    Let me know in the comments if you know more about the origin of the Monte Cristo Sandwich or other variations of its recipe!

    Thank you checking out this recipe and as always...

    Happy Cooking!

    -Jeremy

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