Homemade Croque Monsieur: A Creamy Delight
Homemade Croque Monsieur: A Creamy Delight
Easy Croque Monsieur Recipe with a Smooth Béchamel Sauce
Croque Monsieur is a classic café treat, perfect with a cup of coffee. When hunger strikes, this delicious sandwich can be easily recreated at home. Enjoy a delightful weekend brunch with your homemade Croque Monsieur and a warm beverage.
For the Croque Monsieur- 6 slices of bread
- 6 slices of cheese (e.g., Gruyère or Swiss)
- 6 slices of ham
- 100g shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 pinches of dried parsley (approx. 1 pinch per sandwich)
For the Béchamel Sauce- 30g butter
- 30g all-purpose flour
- 300ml milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 pinches of black pepper
- 30g butter
- 30g all-purpose flour
- 300ml milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 pinches of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, measure out all the ingredients for the creamy Béchamel sauce. You’ll need 30g of butter, 30g of flour, and 300ml of milk. (A good ratio to remember is 1:1:10 for butter:flour:milk.)
Step 2
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the 30g of butter gradually. Stir gently to prevent burning.
Step 3
Once the butter is fully melted, sift in the 30g of flour. Whisk constantly in one direction for about 2-3 minutes until the butter and flour are well combined and a nutty aroma is released. This step, creating a roux, is crucial for a smooth sauce.
Step 4
Gradually add the 300ml of milk in three additions, whisking continuously in one direction after each addition. Adding the milk slowly prevents lumps and ensures a silky smooth sauce. After adding the final portion of milk, stir in 1/4 tsp salt and 3 pinches of pepper to season. The sauce is ready when it thickens to a spreadable consistency, perfect for coating the bread.
Step 5
Now, prepare the bread. Take all 6 slices of bread and spread a generous, even layer of the Béchamel sauce onto one side of each slice. Don’t be shy with the sauce; it adds incredible creaminess to every bite.
Step 6
On top of the Béchamel-coated side, place one slice of cheese and one slice of ham on each bread. Arrange them neatly so they don’t slide off.
Step 7
Assemble the sandwiches by topping the ham and cheese layer with another slice of bread, creating two layers for a total of three Croque Monsieur sandwiches. Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of each assembled sandwich. This cheese will melt into a beautiful, golden-brown topping.
Step 8
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Carefully place the assembled Croque Monsieur sandwiches inside and bake for approximately 10 minutes. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. (Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model.)
Step 9
Once done, carefully remove the perfectly baked Croque Monsieur from the air fryer. Let them cool slightly, then sprinkle with dried parsley for a final flourish. Your delicious and creamy homemade Croque Monsieur is ready to be enjoyed!
