Mini Croque Monsieur with Béchamel
Mini Croque Monsieur with Béchamel is a quick and elegant French-inspired appetizer featuring bite-sized toasted white bread sandwiches layered with savory ham, melted Gruyère cheese, and a luxurious, creamy béchamel sauce. Perfect for parties or a tasty snack, these mini sandwiches combine classic flavors with a smooth texture and golden, bubbling cheese topping.
- 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 (crusts trimmed)
- Thinly sliced ham
- Gruyère cheese, grated
Béchamel Sauce
- Butter (for roux and browning bread)
- All-purpose flour (for béchamel thickening)
- Whole milk (warmed for béchamel)
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: Melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir in flour to make a smooth roux, cooking gently until it bubbles without browning. Gradually whisk in warm milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes silky. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the flavors.
- Assemble the Mini Sandwiches: Trim crusts from bread slices and cut each into bite-sized squares or rectangles. Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce onto each piece. On half of these pieces, layer thinly sliced ham and grated Gruyère cheese. Top with the remaining bread pieces to form mini sandwiches.
- Add More Béchamel and Cheese: Generously spread béchamel sauce over the top of each assembled mini sandwich. Sprinkle extra grated Gruyère cheese on top to create the signature golden, bubbling crust when baked.
- Bake Until Golden: Place mini sandwiches on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the tops turn golden brown.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly so the béchamel sauce sets while remaining creamy and luscious. Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better texture and to prevent sogginess under béchamel.
- Grate cheese fresh for optimal melting; pre-grated cheese may contain anti-caking agents.
- Keep béchamel sauce thick for the best sandwich structure and creamy mouthfeel.
- Don’t skip the nutmeg—a small dash adds warm subtlety to the sauce.
- Watch baking time carefully to achieve golden tops without burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mini sandwiches
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Mini Croque Monsieur, Béchamel sauce, French appetizer, bite-sized sandwich, ham and cheese, party snacks, elegant appetizers
Find it online: https://marybaking.com/mini-croque-monsieur-with-bchamel/