Copycat Disneyland Monte Cristo Sandwiches? You bet! I going to teach you how to make the Blue Bayou Monte Cristo Sandwich that the Cajun restaurant in Disneyland is famous for!
How to Make a Monte Cristo Sandwich
I have been meaning to recreate the Disneyland Monte Cristo Sandwich delight since we got home from Disneyland, but of course, I was waiting to write about my experiences once the new site design was done.
- Make the sandwiches by layering a slice of Swiss cheese, then the four meat slices,
Then, Swiss cheese is on top with the remaining slice of bread. - Place a toothpick on each corner of the sandwich.
- Dip the whole sandwich in the batter, covering the surface thoroughly, and fry in
340 degrees Fahrenheit oil until golden. - Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Remove the toothpicks and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Why is it called a Monte Cristo?
Apparently, Disneyland first called this sandwich the Monte Cristo. This sandwich is similar to the French Croque Monsieur, another famous sandwich everyone enjoys. From the 1930s to the 1960s, you can find this sandwich in cookbooks, listed as a “French sandwich,” “Toasted ham sandwich,” and “French toasted cheese sandwich.”
The Secret Sweet Batter
The first step is to create a sweet batter, as the batter they use at The Blue Bayou is NOT savory! You need to have some sweetness to it to counter the meat and cheese inside; otherwise, you are not getting the real deal. I sat there while eating it and mentally picked apart the batter, tasting the sweet twinge to it, knowing that sugar was definitely an ingredient. If you don’t use a sweet batter, you are not going to get anything close flavor-wise. It might still be good, but not great!
The second part was to figure out how to get all that goodness inside…well, to stay on the inside! While I think that the Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou doesn’t have bread as much as it has all batter, I will use some white bread to give us that same effect.
These are as close as you can get to the real thing without actually eating them at Disneyland! When you are done, you will have one amazing-looking sandwich, like the one pictured below. I used Texas toast because it is so perfectly squared—easier to batter and fry up—but any white bread with a square shape will also work. Decide if you want thin or thick bread at the start and go from there.
Slice that beauty in half and dust with icing sugar if you want. (Dusted with icing sugar is how Disneyland does it)
Mike prefers them without the icing sugar, so this was his sandwich. When I say “his,” I actually mean “his half.” These are crazy decadent sandwiches, and I didn’t even finish the one I had at Disneyland! We made two sandwiches for a family of four to share, and it was plenty!
Ta-da! The Disneyland Monte Cristo Sandwich! From my own little kitchen! What a treat it was to recreate my favorite Disneyland sandwich! Make sure to dip it in a raspberry jam just like they serve it in Disneyland!
What is your favorite food from Disneyland? Make sure to read my Disneyland Food Bucket List; it has all the great things you need to eat! I really hope you all try this recipe at least once! Let me know if you do!
Also, if you want to try some more great sandwiches, try these recipes:
Love,
Karlynn
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Ingredients
Sweet Batter Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Monte Cristo Sandwich Ingredients:
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 8 slices turkey
- 8 slices ham
- 8 slices Texas-style white bread or any square white bread
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
- powdered sugar for dipping
- raspberry jam for dipping
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk and egg thoroughly.
- Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and combine until there are no lumps. The batter should be fairly runny, yet still thick enough to stick to the sandwich. If needed, add a teensy bit more milk.
- Make the sandwiches by layering a slice of Swiss cheese, then the 4 meat slices, then Swiss cheese, top with the remaining slice of bread. Putting cheese on either side of the meat ensures a beautiful melty goodness when you are done! Leave the sandwiches whole for frying, as you lose the cheesy goodness inside otherwise. Only slice them after they are cooked up!
- Place a toothpick on each corner of the sandwich.
- Dip the whole sandwich in the batter, covering the surface completely and fry in 340 degrees Fahrenheit oil until golden. Fry one side until it's golden brown, then flip and continue to fry the other side until it's golden brown. The Texas toast will take longer to heat up the inside, thus the lower frying temperature. If you are using normal bread, you can go up to around 360 degrees Fahrenheit for frying.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Remove the toothpicks and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. If you want the real Disney deal, dip your sandwich in raspberry jam!
Notes
Nutrition
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Kels says
I’m not sure why so many people are changing this recipe, it’s perfect! A true copycat! We used homemade raspberry jam and it just bursts with flavor.
michelle says
Feel rather silly asking, but do you have the frying oil in a frying pan with it going up the side like frying chicken or do you dip it whole into oil like french fries?
Jan says
Yes, I find myself also unsure if it is deep fried or skillet fried – ingredient list only says 4 tablespoons of oil to fry .
Jan says
I forgot to say I tried your great recipe – I adore Disneyland Monte Cristo – we had them at the little cafe in the “French Quarter” and it was our wedding anniversary – we had the Beignets as well- the food was sublime. But yeah I did them in my waffle iron, no batter because I am remodeling my kitchen – no kitchen hood to take up all the frying spatters – and def. have them with the cup of jam to dip in – you’re missing out if u don’t. And hope u will clarify about the oil – are they deep fried or no.? Can’t wait to try them next time with the batter.
Karlynn says
They are NOT completely deep fried, you can flip them in the pan! It’s easier than deep frying and you still get the crispy outside!
Chef Mombo says
You left out the light smear of hot mustard on the ham, this is key to the flavor profile.
Jeff says
Works great with an extra 1/4 cup of milk. Test a small spoonful of batter in your hot oil to make sure it tastes how you like (and that you didn’t mix up baking powder with baking soda, ask me how I know).
Patti says
First time I tried a Monte Cristo. I had to thin the batter after the first one. I was hesitant about put powdered sugar on top but definitely was good with the sugar. We also dipped in Maple syrup because we didn’t have raspberry jam.
Both my husband and I agreed this is something we’ll eat again. Thank you for sharing the recipe
Laura says
Great recipe!
anne says
I’ve never been happy with the batter for a Monte Cristo. This is perfect! Definitely my new go to recipe – and I’ve never even been to Disneyland!
Tami says
Made this during the 2022 Blizzard in NY. It was a huge hit! I used Provolone instead of Swiss, and finished them off in the oven to melt the cheese and warm up the ham and turkey a little more.
Lindsay says
Great recipe! I used Muenster and it turned out dreamy.
Jenn says
Has anyone tried this in an air fryer?? This looks pretty darn close to the one at Disneyland for sure!
Hazelnut Honey says
It was delicious! We cooked them in the oven instead. 350 degrees about 20 minutes. Trying to be just a bit healthier and a little less messy. We used two flavors of ham because we forgot to buy turkey. Tasted good. Fried the sandwich would have been better. But for those watching calories a bit and health (and mess) just know oven cooking works just fine too.
Kathleen Anderson says
Do you know the recipe for Disneyland Beef Enchiladas with a mild brown/reddish sauce.
Deb says
Oh my gosh! This is my favourite sandwich although I have never had it with the batter. Made these for supper tonight, hubby is impressed! I served them with real Canadian maple syrup
Thank you for the recipe!
Lori Meredith says
My husband LOVED this!!!
JEANNE MC GLYNN HART says
Is there any chance you have the Disneyland recipe for Teriyaki sauce. I worked at the Tahitian Terrace in the late 60’s & the Chef for Disneyland made the best teriyaki sauce for teriyaki steak. I wish I had asked for the recipe when I was there. I remember the Head Chef’s name was Indian. We used to put in fried rice. Really good. His shrimp tempura was also excellent.
Melissa Martinez says
Delicious! However, next time I make this I’ll dip the battered bread first then apply the cheese and meats, slice. Finish off melting cheese in 400 degree oven.
Mary says
This recipe is fantastic! The family loves how they turned out. Thank you!
KimberleeT says
Yum, yum, yum…another win for our family! We love these and your delicious scone recipe. These two recipes are my go to for repeat favorites in our home.
Amanda K Lewis says
Absolutely yummy….My whole family and friends loves when I make these. Truly our favorite meal, especially now that my kids are old enough to help me make it.