Mini Croque Monsieur with Béchamel
Mini Croque Monsieur with Béchamel is an elegant, bite-sized French classic featuring toasted bread filled with savory ham, melted Gruyère cheese, and topped with a rich, creamy béchamel sauce. Perfect for quick snacks or party appetizers, these golden sandwiches balance creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors in every single bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini sandwiches
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- White sandwich bread slices (day-old recommended)
- Thinly sliced deli ham
- Grated Gruyère cheese
- Butter (for browning bread and béchamel sauce)
- Flour (to thicken béchamel sauce)
- Whole milk (for béchamel sauce)
- Pinch of nutmeg (for seasoning béchamel)
- Salt (to taste)
- Mustard (optional, for spreading on bread)
Instructions
- Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about a minute to form a smooth roux, removing any raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the Mini Sandwiches: Remove crusts from bread slices. Lightly spread mustard on one side of each slice if using. Layer each piece with a slice of ham and a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese. Place another slice of bread on top to form mini sandwiches.
- Add Béchamel and Bake: Arrange the assembled sandwiches on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon a thick layer of béchamel sauce over each sandwich and sprinkle additional Gruyère cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and let cool briefly. Serve the Mini Croque Monsieur warm to enjoy the creamy béchamel and perfectly melted cheese.
Notes
- Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess under the béchamel sauce.
- Layer ham and cheese thinly and evenly for consistent flavor and texture.
- Whisk béchamel sauce constantly to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture.
- Lightly pre-toast bread before assembling for extra crispness.
- Monitor the oven closely to avoid burning the cheese topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mini sandwiches
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Mini Croque Monsieur, Béchamel, French appetizer, bite-sized sandwiches, party snacks, ham and cheese, creamy béchamel
Find it online: https://mydishez.com/mini-croque-monsieur-with-bchamel/