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Crispy Croque Monsieur French Toast with Ham and Gruyère

Crispy Croque Monsieur French Toast - featured image
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A savory twist on classic French toast featuring crispy brioche sandwiches layered with ham and melted Gruyère cheese, perfect for an indulgent brunch or weekend breakfast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 thick slices brioche bread (about 1-inch thick)
  • 6 slices thinly sliced cooked ham, preferably smoked
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (about 100g)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk or cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter for frying
  • A pinch freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg until fully combined and slightly frothy (about 2 minutes).
  2. Lay out 6 slices of brioche on a clean surface. On 3 slices, evenly distribute shredded Gruyère cheese (about ⅓ cup or 33g per slice), then top each with a slice of ham. Place the remaining 3 brioche slices on top to form sandwiches and gently press to seal.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, coating both sides for about 10 seconds per side. Let excess drip off before placing in the skillet.
  4. Cook sandwiches in the hot skillet for 3-4 minutes per side, adding more butter as needed (total 3 tablespoons), until golden and crispy with melted cheese inside. Adjust heat to avoid burning.
  5. Press lightly with a spatula to test crispness. When both sides are deep golden brown and cheese is melted, remove from pan (total cooking time about 6-8 minutes per sandwich).
  6. Let the toasts rest on a wire rack or plate for 1 minute to keep crust crisp. Slice each sandwich diagonally and serve warm.

Notes

Do not soak the bread too long in the egg mixture to avoid sogginess. Use medium heat to get a crispy crust without burning. Freshly shredded Gruyère melts better than pre-shredded. Press sandwiches gently while cooking to help cheese melt evenly. For extra melty cheese, cover skillet with a lid for the last minute of cooking. Let bread come to room temperature before dipping to prevent falling apart.

Nutrition

Keywords: Croque Monsieur, French Toast, Ham, Gruyère, Breakfast, Brunch, Savory French Toast, Crispy Toast

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/crispy-croque-monsieur-french-toast-recipe-easy-homemade-ham-gruy-e-re-breakfast/