Croque Madame

Snack

Croque Madame is the sort of French classic that’s impossible to resist. Crisp, golden bread layered with vegetarian ham and melting cheese, all topped off with a sunny fried egg. Locals love it for good reason: it’s hearty, comforting, and never out of place.

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 2

Ingredients 

1x2x3x?

• 4 slices white bread
• 2 slices vegetarian ham
• 100 gr Gruyère cheese
• 25 gr unsalted butter
• 25 gr plain flour
• 300 ml whole milk
• 1 pinch nutmeg (optional, but recommended!)
• 2 egg
• salt and black pepper

Equipment

• 1 frying pan
• 1 saucepan
• 1 measuring jug
• 1 whisk
• 1 grater
• 1 spatula
• 1 baking tray

Instructions

1. 1. Make the Béchamel Sauce

   In a small saucepan, melt the butter over a medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute or two, stirring constantly, until you have a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens, then season with a pinch of nutmeg (if using), salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. 2. Assemble the sandwich

   Preheat your grill to high. Lay out two slices of bread and top each with a slice of vegetarian ham and a generous sprinkle of grated cheese. Spread a spoonful of the béchamel sauce over the remaining two slices of bread and place them, sauce-side down, on top of the vegetarian ham and cheese. Press gently to sandwich together.
3. 3. Cook the Croque

   Heat a little butter in your frying pan over a medium heat. Add the sandwiches and cook for a couple of minutes on each side, until golden and crisp. Place the sandwiches on a baking tray and spread the remaining béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich, sprinkle with the rest of the cheese, and place under the grill for 3–4 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
4. 4. Fry the Eggs

   While the sandwiches are under the grill, fry the eggs in a little butter or oil in a separate pan, until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny.
5. 5. Serve

   Place a fried egg on top of each sandwich and serve immediately, with a crisp green salad or a handful of cornichons on the side.

Notes

• While classic French recipes often call for white bread (pain de mie) to let the flavours shine through, feel free to use your favourite bread, it’ll taste just as delicious. Whether you choose sourdough, wholemeal, or another variety, you’ll still enjoy all the comforting flavours of a true Croque Madame!
• No ovenproof pan? Assemble the sandwiches on a baking tray and finish them under the grill.
• Leftovers? (Unlikely, but just in case) Reheat gently in the oven for best results.

About this recipe

The Croque Madame is a classic French dish, adored by locals for lunch or a satisfying snack. If you’re ever in need of a quick and hearty bite, you’ll find its famous sibling, the Croque Monsieur (essentially the same sandwich but without the egg)in almost every bakery and café across France. The name “Croque Monsieur” comes from the French verb “croquer” (to bite) and “Madame,” a playful nod to the egg on top, which gives the sandwich the look of a lady’s hat. Both versions are staples of French comfort food, perfect for any time of day and guaranteed to hit the spot.