The Croque-Monsieur is a beloved French staple—a toasted ham and cheese sandwich elevated with a luxurious layer of cheesy béchamel. This French classic offers a delightful lunch quickly made in the air fryer.
Looking for a quick, gourmet lunch that brings the taste of France to your kitchen? This Croque-Monsieur sandwich recipe is a classic French delight! It features savoury ham and melted cheese covered in a creamy béchamel gratin. All this is made in the air fryer quickly to deliver a smooth golden-brown finish. This upgraded ham and cheese sandwich showcases how French cuisine elevates simple ingredients into something unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan of traditional French flavours or love a good sandwich, this recipe is a must-try for the family!
The Cheesy Bechamel
What makes this sandwich stand out is its smooth and irresistible topping, made of a type of bechamel sauce called Mornay sauce, with extra cheese melted into it. Unlike simply grilling cheese on top of a sandwich, which is greasy and stringy, this sauce will form this gratin layer but keep its smooth interior, which is simply addictive. A welcomed touch of nutmeg to top it all elevated this simple dish to another level!
The Technique
Making béchamel sauce is easier than it seems—remember the trick of “warm meets cold” to prevent lumps. Professionals often pre-make a cold roux (flour and butter) and store it, adding it to hot liquids later to thicken sauces seamlessly. But here, we’ll reverse it: make a warm roux, then add cold milk while whisking. This way, you’ll get a perfectly smooth béchamel every time!
Cheeses
If you want to make a French sandwich, you could use Comté, Emmental, or Gruyère cheese (even though this last one is Swiss). Although nowadays everything is permitted, I’ve used simple pre-cut slices of Harvarti on the inside and Comté on top. But a good cheddar would do, too, although I would use a sharp, firm cheese. There are croque-monsieur sandwiches of all kinds, from raclette cheese to goat cheese. Today’s version is the traditional one you would see in most French Bistro.
Bread and Ham
The bread choice is usually a square-shaped bread, “pain de mie,” as they call it in France, which is a basic bread sliced with a thin crust. But if you want to elevate your sandwich, you can always use a lovely sourdough bread.
As for the choice of ham, it is the best cooked white ham you can find; basically, you can get creative here.
Air Frying to the Rescue
Using an air fryer to make a Croque-Monsieur sandwich is genius because it streamlines the cooking process, delivering that golden, crispy crust and gooey interior in minutes. The air fryer’s rapid convection heating evenly toasts the bread and melts the cheese without requiring flipping or preheating multiple appliances. This approach reduces cooking time and achieves a perfect, bistro-style crunch without needing extra oil or butter. It’s perfect for grilling any sandwich on a busy day.
