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The appetizer, French classic

Mini ham and cheese croque monsieur

Mini croque monsieur are bite sized sandwiches of ham and cheese topped with béchamel, serving 6 as a cocktail snack. They take 25 minutes of active work, are made in the morning for the evening, cost about €0.90 per person, and rate as very easy. The key is a thick béchamel that browns into a crisp crust under the broiler.

Little golden croque monsieur, soft and melty, eaten in one bite, the cheese still stretches a bit when you grab one.

Mini ham and cheese croque monsieur
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
50 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€0.90
Calories per person
210 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Under a crackly golden top, these mini croque monsieur hide a melty center where the cheese still pulls a little as you bite in. The béchamel spread on top is what makes the difference, it browns into a light crust that plain versions usually miss. It's a familiar bite, instantly recognizable, just shrunk down to finger food you can grab between conversations.

This is the cocktail snack for a dinner with friends or a family gathering, when you want something warm that beats out chips and olives without extra effort. It works just as well in winter, served warm straight from the oven, as outdoors in summer on a set table. Kids love them as much as adults do, which makes them an easy pick for meals that mix generations.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 10 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 15 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Make the béchamel and assemble the sandwiches in the morning, then keep them on a tray in the fridge under plastic wrap. Right before guests arrive, bake them, finish under the broiler, let rest three minutes, then cut into squares. At serving time, skewer each square and bring them out warm on a platter.

The ingredients

6 people

Bakery

  • Sandwich bread 12 slices

Butcher

  • Ham 6 slices

Dairy

  • Shredded emmental 150 g
  • Butter 30 g
  • Milk 30 cl

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 30 g
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Make a thick béchamel with the butter, flour and milk, season with salt and nutmeg. 10 min

    Whisk constantly as you add the milk, no lumps will form.

  2. Fill six sandwiches with a slice of ham and a little emmental between two slices of bread.

    Trim the crusts off the bread for neater, more elegant bites.

  3. Spread béchamel on top, sprinkle with emmental, and keep chilled on a tray.

    Cover with plastic wrap without touching the béchamel so it doesn't stick.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Bake the croque monsieur at 200°C, then broil for 2 minutes to brown the top. 12 min

    Stay by the oven during the broiling step, it browns in seconds.

  2. Let rest 3 minutes, then cut each croque into four squares with a sharp knife. 3 min

    Resting first keeps the filling from spilling out when you cut.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Skewer each square and serve warm.

    Arrange them on a warmed platter so they don't cool down.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use thin sliced sandwich bread, it cuts into clean little squares much more easily once baked.
  • If the béchamel thickens too much in the fridge, loosen it with a splash of milk before spreading.
  • Make a few extra, these are usually the first thing to disappear from the tray.

The variations

  • Swap the ham for prosciutto for a saltier, more intense version.
  • For a vegetarian take, replace the ham with well drained spinach or sautéed mushrooms.
  • To save time, skip the béchamel and just add a bit more grated cheese on top before broiling.

What to serve it with

  • A chilled glass of dry white wine
  • Tapenade toasts on the side
  • A light green salad as starter

Storage

Assembled but unbaked croque monsieur keep up to 24 hours in the fridge, covered. Once baked, reheat them briefly in the oven to bring back the crunch, which works better than the microwave. They don't freeze well once topped with béchamel.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use pre sliced crustless bread?

Yes, it actually makes assembly faster and simpler. The edges will be a little less crisp, but the center stays just as melty.

How do I keep the béchamel from running off during baking?

Make sure it's thick before spreading, almost like a spread rather than a sauce. If it's too runny, put it back on the heat for a minute while whisking.

What cheese can I use instead of emmental?

Comté or shredded gruyère work just as well and melt the same way. Avoid very strong cheeses that would overpower the ham.

How many pieces should I plan per guest?

Count on about four squares per person if this is the only snack on offer. With other bites on the table, two or three is plenty.

Can mini ham and cheese croque monsieur bites be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make mini ham and cheese croque monsieur bites?

Allow 50 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in mini ham and cheese croque monsieur bites?

About 210 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does mini ham and cheese croque monsieur bites cost?

About €0.90 per person, that's €5.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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