This savory French toast sandwich is the perfect dish to make when you’re short on time but still want a delicious hot meal. Thick sourdough bread, savory ham, and gooey melted cheese combine with a decadent egg custard to create the ultimate sandwich for any time of day – breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Though this dish is super simple, the textures and flavors of each element work together to create a sandwich that is far more than the sum of its parts.
A French toast grilled cheese is easy to make, and the ingredients that go into it are easily accessible at the grocery store. You might already have some of them in your pantry or refrigerator! This makes a French toast ham and cheese sandwich a quick and filling meal after a long day, to make for a fast lunch while you’re working from home or as an easy and tasty breakfast for the weekend. And they’re quick and simple enough to make them for the whole family. Whenever you choose to make this sandwich, its savory filling and creamy, custard-soaked bread will satisfy you with every bite.
A French toast sandwich with ham and cheese is perfect for every meal. But what to serve it with? For breakfast or brunch, pair it with a homemade latte and some fresh-cut fruit for a satisfying start to the day. At lunchtime, keep it simple with a fresh green salad and a sweet, sparkling homemade soda. You can dress up the sandwich for dinner with an elegant cocktail and some easy yet delicious roasted potatoes. The possibilities for this sandwich are endless, so give it a try and customize it however you’d like.
Why You’ll Love This French Toast Sandwich
- So easy: This sandwich is straightforward to put together and doesn’t require any special skills or equipment, so it’s perfect for cooks of any skill level to try.
- Tastes great: This sandwich is easy to make and so delicious to eat! The savory flavors of the filling with the soft bread soaked in egg custard just taste amazing.
- Super customizable: This recipe is just a guideline to teach you how to make the sandwich. Once you’ve got the technique down, you can mix up your sandwich and personalize it in so many ways! Mix and match different breads, spreads, meats, and cheeses to make a unique sandwich for your tastes.
Ingredients for a French Toast Sandwich
- Sourdough bread: The foundation of our sandwich, providing a slightly tangy flavor and a chewy texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Cheddar has a delicious cheesy flavor without being too strong and adds the gooey, melty texture that is one of the reasons this sandwich is so good.
- Ham: Use any ham that you like. I prefer thinly sliced ham, but you can use any meat you like – turkey would also be tasty!
- Eggs: The key ingredient in French toast. Eggs make the bread soft and custardy, giving the sandwich a classic French toast texture and taste.
- Milk: Adds creaminess to the egg mixture and helps create a fluffy and tender French toast.
- Nutmeg: A warm and aromatic spice that complements the flavors in the dish.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Helpful Tools
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Large skillet
Spatula
How to Make a French Toast Sandwich
Step 1: Stuff the bread.
With a sharp knife, make a slice into the side of each slice of bread to create a little pocket. Stuff the pockets with cheddar cheese and ham, being careful not to overstuff the pockets and tear the bread.
Step 2: Make the custard.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, nutmeg, and salt in a big bowl. Place the bread into the bowl to soak in the custard until it is fully saturated with the egg mixture.
Step 3: Cook the sandwich.
Heat some butter in a pan. Place the bread on one side and cook until golden brown, then flip it over to brown the other side. Turn off the heat and place a lid on the frying pan to steam the sandwich to ensure it is heated through and the cheese is melted. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, and dig into your delicious creation.
Substitutions for French Toast Sandwiches
Sourdough bread – If you prefer not to use sourdough bread or can’t get thick slices like I used, you can use any bread you like. One of my other favorite types of bread for making French toast is Challah. If you use thinner slices of bread, you can just make a regular sandwich– you will just have to be careful as you dip it in the egg mixture so you don’t lose any of your fillings!
Nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a subtle flavor to the sandwich that compliments the other ingredients nicely. If you don’t want to use nutmeg, you can try any other spices or herbs that sound good to you to give flavor and aroma to your sandwich.
Recipe Variations
- Monte Cristo: A Monte Cristo sandwich is traditionally made with ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, encased in two slices of French toast. Use these fillings inside your French toast sandwich and top it with honey, berry jam, or maple syrup for a delectable sweet and savory treat.
- Cheddar and roast beef: The classic combination of tender slices of roast beef and sharp cheddar cheese would taste even better when paired with French toast.
- Reuben: Reubens are a delicious deli sandwich filled with pastrami or roast beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese. It is typically assembled on rye bread, but you could use any bread with these fillings for a mouthwatering Reuben-French-toast fusion.
- Cuban: A Cuban sandwich is typically made with ham, shredded roast pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and pickles. This sandwich is amazing as is, but combining it with a French toast sandwich sounds tempting.
- Breakfast sammie: To make the ultimate breakfast sandwich, layer crispy bacon or a sausage patty into your sandwich, along with a fried egg and a slice of cheddar or American cheese for a delicious twist.
- Veggie lovers: For a flavorful vegetable twist on this French toast sandwich recipe, try stuffing the bread with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, arugula, and goat cheese.
- A sweet treat: If you have a sweet tooth, try stuffing your French toast sandwich with Nutella and fresh berries and top with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips for Making Perfect French Toast Sandwiches
- Be gentle when stuffing the bread pockets to avoid tearing the slices. If necessary, you can just use two slices of bread to make a sandwich.
- If you are using thinner bread, you will not need to soak it as long as you would if you were using very thick bread. Keep an eye on it to make sure it isn’t absorbing so much liquid it starts to fall apart.
- Adjust the cooking time and heat based on your stove and pan to achieve a golden-brown crust.
- Use a lid to steam the sandwich after it gets browned on both sides, which helps melt the cheese and keep the interior moist.
Serving Suggestions
These French toast sandwiches are excellent to enjoy as a breakfast, lunch, dinner, or midnight snack. Enjoy them with jam, maple syrup, or honey for a sweet and savory combination. You can also dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet garnish.
Storage Directions
At room temperature – This sandwich should not be stored at room temperature.
In the refrigerator – Place any leftover French toast sandwiches into an airtight container or bag before refrigerating. They will keep for up to two days. You can reheat them in the microwave or by placing them in a nonstick pan over low heat and flipping them occasionally until they’re heated thoroughly.
In the freezer – French toast sandwiches are best when made fresh, and I don’t recommend freezing them. The thawing process will negatively affect the textures and flavors.
FAQ
Is French toast soggy or crispy?
The best French toasts lands right on the line between soggy and crispy. Soaking thick slices of bread in the egg mixture gives them a soft, custardy interior, while frying them in oil or butter makes the outside crispy and crunchy. The difference in the textures of the inside and outside of the bread is one of the things that makes eating French toast so enjoyable.
What is the difference between a Monte Cristo and a Croque Monsieur?
A Monte Cristo is a sandwich of Spanish origin. Traditionally, it is made with serrano ham or prosciutto, Manchego cheese, Dijon mustard, and preserves made from the Quince fruit. It is dipped in egg custard before being griddled on each side. In the United States, the sandwich has evolved into a ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese sandwich that is similarly dipped in egg custard.
A Croque Monsieur is a French sandwich made with ham, béchamel sauce, and gruyere or Emmental cheese. A Croque Monsieur is not battered but is topped with more béchamel sauce before being broiled in the oven. A variation of this sandwich called the Croque Madame is the same sandwich topped with a fried egg.
What goes into French Toast?
French toast is usually made by dipping bread into a batter made of eggs and milk and then cooking the soaked bread in butter or oil on a griddle or in a pan. Usually, the custard mixture has a little bit of sugar and warm spices like nutmeg or cinnamon. It is served with syrup or jam. French toast is based on a traditional French recipe called Pain Perdu, or “lost bread.”
Other Easy French Toast Recipes to Try
Peanut Butter and Jam French Toast
Your favorite childhood sandwich, transformed into French toast!
French toast stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows, then soaked in a Nutella hot chocolate custard.
My favorite banana bread turned into French toast and topped with caramelized bananas!
Cinnamon and Berry French Toast
After frying, this French toast is rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with a mountain of fresh berries!
French Toast Sandwich
Thick sourdough bread, savory ham, and gooey melted cheese combine with a decadent egg custard to create the ultimate French toast for any time of day.
Ingredients
- 2 very thick slices of sourdough bread
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 2 slices ham
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Make a slice into the side of each slice of bread to create a little pocket. Stuff the pockets with cheddar cheese and ham, being careful not to overstuff the pockets and tear the bread.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, nutmeg and salt in a big bowl. Place the bread into the bowl and soak on one side for 7 minutes, then flip over and let soak for another 7 minutes.
- Set a frying pan greased with butter to medium heat. Place the bread on one side and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, then turn off the heat and place a lid on the frying pan. Steam the bread in the pan for 5 minutes, then serve!
Video
Notes
Storage Directions
At room temperature – This sandwich should not be stored at room temperature. In the refrigerator – Place any leftover French toast sandwiches into an airtight container or bag before refrigerating. They will keep for up to two days. You can reheat them in the microwave or by placing them in a nonstick pan over low heat and flipping them occasionally until they’re heated thoroughly. In the freezer – French toast sandwiches are best when made fresh, and I don’t recommend freezing them. The thawing process will negatively affect the textures and flavors.Nutrition
Serving: 1 stuffed french toastCalories: 585kcalCarbohydrates: 74.78gProtein: 29.26gFat: 18.73gSaturated Fat: 8.31gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.42gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.46gTrans Fat: 0.36gCholesterol: 225mgSodium: 1334mgPotassium: 358mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 8.14gVitamin A: 583IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 321mgIron: 6.08mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Hi everyone! My name is Cayla Gallagher and I’m the creator of pankobunny!
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