Description
A Monte Cristo Sandwich is a decadent fried sandwich featuring layers of turkey, ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese between honey wheat bread. This recipe involves assembling the sandwich, chilling it to firm up, then dipping it in a light batter before deep-frying until golden and crispy. The sandwich is finished with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar and served with raspberry preserves for a sweet and savory bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich
- 9 slices honey wheat bread
- 9 slices roasted turkey, thick cut deli meat
- 9 slices honey ham, thick cut deli meat
- 3 slices mild cheddar cheese
- 3 slices Swiss cheese
Batter
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ⅔ cups water
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Frying & Garnish
- Vegetable or canola oil, for deep frying
- ½ cup (62.5 g) confectioners’ sugar
- Red raspberry preserves, for dipping
- Honey mustard (optional), for dipping
Instructions
- Assemble the Sandwich: On a clean work surface, start with one slice of honey wheat bread. Layer three slices of roasted turkey and one slice of Swiss cheese on top. Add another slice of bread, then three slices of honey ham and one slice of mild cheddar cheese. Finish with one more slice of bread.
- Slice and Chill: Slice each sandwich diagonally into halves. Wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or up to overnight. This chilling step firms up the sandwich, helping it hold together during frying.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and combine with the water. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth and fully incorporated. Set the batter aside.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable or canola oil into a large pot and heat over medium heat until it reaches 325°F to 350°F. Use a thermometer to check the temperature for proper frying.
- Fry the Sandwiches: Remove one sandwich half from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Using your hands, dip the sandwich into the prepared batter, coating it thoroughly. Using metal tongs, carefully lower the sandwich into the hot oil, fully submerging it. Fry until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes, turning as needed to brown evenly. Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining sandwich halves.
- Serve: Lightly sprinkle the fried sandwiches with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm with a side of red raspberry preserves and optional honey mustard for dipping.
Notes
- Chilling the sandwich before frying is essential to ensure it holds its shape in the hot oil.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature between 325°F and 350°F to prevent soggy or burnt coating.
- For easier frying, work one sandwich half at a time and handle gently to avoid batter loss.
- You can substitute pancake batter for a quicker option, but homemade batter yields the best texture.
- Serve immediately for best flavor and crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Monte Cristo Sandwich, fried sandwich, turkey sandwich, ham sandwich, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, deep-fried sandwich, classic American sandwich, raspberry preserves
