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Monte Cristo Sliders are a delicious combination of sweet and savory, with layers of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese baked into soft Hawaiian rolls. Finished with a buttery egg wash and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, these sliders are best served warm with a side of fruity preserves for dipping.
This recipe is a great option for a weekend lunch for your family or to bring along to a potluck or party! You can do the final heat after you get there, right before serving, and watch these sandwiches disappear.
Try this next: If you love these sliders, you might also enjoy Ham and Cheese Sliders or Turkey Sliders.
Make or Break Tips for The Best Monte Cristo Sliders
- Use the right bread. Soft rolls, like Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls, work best. They’re sturdy enough to hold the filling but soft enough to soak up the egg mixture.
- Egg wash topping. Instead of dipping each slider like a sandwich, whisk eggs and melted butter, then brush or pour it gently over the tops. This gives you that French-toast style crust without the mess.
- Finish with powdered sugar and jam. A light dusting of powdered sugar and a side of raspberry or strawberry jam for dipping are what make these feel like a true Monte Cristo sandwich.
- Cover with foil. The foil helps to keep the sliders from browning too quickly. Keep the foil loose to prevent sticking, or spray it lightly with nonstick spray. Non-stick foil is also a great option!
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make Monte Cristo Sliders
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
1. Prep the Rolls – Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half as a whole slab; don’t separate them.
2. Assemble – Spread Dijon mustard on both cut sides. Layer half the cheese, followed by ham, turkey, and the remaining cheese. Place the top slab of rolls back on.
3. Egg Wash – Mix melted butter with an egg and brush it over the tops.
- Try adding a pinch of sugar to sweeten it up.
4. Bake – Cover with foil (use toothpicks to prevent sticking) and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until golden.
- Don’t skip this step. The foil helps to keep the tops from browning too quickly.
5. Serve – Let them cool slightly, cut them apart, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with berry preserves.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the sliders cleanly.
More Sliders
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Monte Cristo sandwich made of?
The classic ingredients for a Monte Cristo include ham, turkey, mustard, and cheese. The sandwich is then dipped in an egg-based batter and fried. In this version, we’re skipping the fryer and using our oven, but it keeps all the classic flavor you know and love.
What is the difference between a croque monsieur and a Monte Cristo?
A Croque Monsieur is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich, typically made with Gruyère and béchamel sauce, then baked or grilled until crispy. A Monte Cristo is a variation that’s typically dipped in egg batter and either fried or baked, giving it a French toast-like texture. It’s often dusted with powdered sugar and served with berry preserves for a sweet-savory contrast.
Why is a Monte Cristo called a Monte Cristo?
The Monte Cristo sandwich is believed to be a variation of the French Croque Monsieur, with its name likely inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, the famous novel by Alexandre Dumas. While the exact origin is unclear, the sandwich gained popularity in mid-20th century America, particularly in diners and Disneyland, where its sweet-savory combination made it a hit.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
- Swap Baby Swiss for cheddar for a sharper bite.
- Add a sprinkle of garlic powder or paprika to the butter for extra flavor.
- Try raspberry, strawberry, or blackberry preserves for dipping.
- For a crispier texture, toast the inside of the rolls before assembling.
Storage Tips
The Best Way to Store Leftovers
Refrigerator (3 days): Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The bread may soften a little, but they’ll still taste great.
Freezer (2 months): Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
Make Ahead tip: Assemble the sliders, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day. Add the egg mixture just before baking so the bread doesn’t get soggy.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Or, reheat in the microwave using 30-45 second intervals.
More Delicious Sandwiches and Sliders
- Reuben Sliders
- Baked Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
- Shredded Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
- Easy Baked French Dips
- Caramelized Onion and Asiago Roast Beef Sliders
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders
- Slider Recipe Roundup
Monte Cristo Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian Rolls one package
- 12 slices Sliced deli ham
- 12 slices Sliced deli turkey
- 6 slices Baby Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard more or less to taste
- 1 Large egg
- ¼ cup Butter melted
- Powdered sugar for topping
- Strawberry or blackberry preserves for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 11-inch rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using a large serrated knife, slice the rolls in half so you have a “slab” of tops and a “slab” of bottoms; don’t pull the rolls apart and slice individually because you want to keep them connected. Spread dijon mustard on each slab.
- Layer the sliders as follows: half of the sliced cheese, then sliced ham, sliced turkey, and remaining cheese.
- Replace the top half of the rolls.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the egg and brush on top of the rolls.
- Cover with loosely with foil (careful not to let it touch the tops of the bread to avoid sticking – use toothpicks if necessary to "lift" the foil).
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes or until tops are nice and golden brown.
- Cool slightly, then cut the sliders apart with with a sharp knife. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top, if desired, and serve hot with berry preserves on the side.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
I’ve been craving this sandwich since a local restaurant closed down. This was exactly what I was hoping and looking for. Couple of the kids even enjoyed it, my picky eater said the preserve didn’t go with it but husband enjoyed so it was a win. This recipe was easy and quick especially if you have littles running around. This will be going into our keep book for future use.
That’s so awesome Amanda! Fantastic Feeback, thanks for stopping by.
I made these for a huge camping trip with family and friends. We did an appetizer “throw down” – these came in second place! Not bad out of 40-50 appetizers. I made 36 sliders and served it with my homemade strawberry-vanilla jam. They were gone in ten minutes! I’ll definitely be making them again; they were delicious! Next up, I’ll be making your Southern Potato Salad for the 4th of July for a family BBQ. Thank you for sharing your recipes. They’re easy to prepare, always come out perfect, and taste great! 💗
You are so welcome Lisa! Fantastic feedback! Thank you so much for taking the time to share.
I made these according to the recipe and they turned out beautifully! Next time, I’ll double the recipe. These will be gone SO fast.
That’s awesome Leslie! Thanks for stopping by.
OMG! These look so amazing!!
They are Cristina! Give them a try, let us know here in the comments. thanks for stopping by.
Next time I will omit the egg. It got in the crevices of the rolls and was still kind of raw. Doesn’t need it. The butter will cause the rolls to brown.
A traditional Monte Cristo is dipped in a custard like french toast, that’s where the egg comes in.
Could these be assembled 1-2 days ahead and bake at party??
Thank you
Yes you could asseble a day in advance. Just don’t do the melted butter on top until you’re ready to bake.
Holy moly, these lil jewels are SO yummy!! Tiffany with Charlotte Grove Farmhouse, on YouTube, made your lil yummies live and shared your amazing recipe here…Thanks so much for this keeper!! So easy and delish!! Hubby says they’re a 10, as he shovels them in his mouth!! Haha…dipping in strawberry preserves…
You are so welcome Pamela! Awesome feedback, thanks for stopping by.
Love this easy recipe! Make it every year for Easter and sometimes for Super Bowl. Yum !
Thank you Diane!
I’m making this for my Bible Study ladies this week. Cannot wait to try it!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Robin.
Great, easy, fast, little cleanup
Love the feedback Ann! Thanks for stopping by.
So easy & delicious!!
Thank you Miranda!
I am mking these for Christmas Eve and serving them with a carrot cheddar soup we have had for years on Christmas Eve.
Nice! Thanks for stopping by LuAnn! (Love the feedback)
These were delicious! Perfect Sunday lunch. I will definitely be making them again!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Hannah.
K.
Great recipe. I liked them and my daughter in law really liked them. Husband and son liked but not the mustard. Next batch will be without mustard. Still enjoyed all the flavors. Simple and easy to make.
Awesome feedback Leslie! Thanks for stopping by.
K.
Making these for girlfriends lunch…. can you make them the night ahead, refrigerate and bake the next morning?
You can make the sandwich, but don’t add the egg mixture or bake. Prep the eggs in another bowl. Doing some prep will save you time in the kitchen later.
I didn’t end up making them the night before, but they were so easy to put together and turned out perfect. They were liked by all. Will be making them again!!! Thank you!
I’m so glad they worked out for you!
You can make the sandwiches, but don’t add the egg mixture or bake. Prep the eggs in another bowl. Doing some prep will save you time in the kitchen later.
I have never had this sammich but your pictures were so pretty I decided to make these for Sunday brunch at my craft retreat. WOW! Good thing I made 2 because they were gone in minutes. I only got 1 but that is OK I will definitely be adding these to the favorite meals list at the retreat. YUM!
Nice! Awesome feedback Vanessa! Thanks for stopping by.
These were wonderful and different! We made them for a football game party. Question-if I wanted to double the recipe-do you have any idea what size pan would work? I realize if you have not tried it you may not know but figured worth an ask! Thanks!
Hi Sheila, you might be able to use a large baking sheet to do a double batch. Otherwise, just use two baking dishes.
I made these the other night. Absolutely delicious! There were only three left. Any suggestions on heating them up?
You can microwave them or reheat them wrapped in foil in the oven .
I reheated in the microwave. I didn’t like it warmed up in the microwave. Next time I’ll try the oven for reheating. Thanks for your quick response.
Your so welcome MJ! Thanks for stopping by.
Absolutely delicious. I doubled it for a birthday party, and they were a huge hit. The strawberry jam was terrific and made it extra special. I will definitely make these again.
Thank you so much Monica! Awesome feedback!
We made these last night with a side of French Fries and French green beans. So delicious!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Elise.
I haven’t had one of those in years! Thanks for the updated recipe which I shall be trying ASAP
You’re welcome – enjoy!
Awesome recipe!! I made these for a party and everyone loved them!!!
That’s awesome Amanda! Thanks for stopping by.
These were a huge hit at a family get together we had this weekend! I can’t rave enough about these.
WOW! That’s so awesome Crystal! Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience.
What do you think if I used bacon instead of ham and dip in a cranberry sauce?
A traditional Monte Cristo uses ham, but I’m sure you could swap it out for bacon. It would be a bit on the crunchy side, since the bread does crisp up a bit on top. Cranberry sauce would be delicious.
Delicious, fancy, but easy! What a great recipe for entertaining! I made it once to rave reviews, pulling it out again for Independence Day!
Nice! Thanks for stopping by Tiffanye.
Amazingly delicious!! Thank you ?
I have wanted to make Montecristo sandwiches for my family for YEARS! But, all the steps have always intimidated me, I am going to be making your recipe this week. Thank you for this fabulous recipe!
Thank you Maren!
My husband said that this was the best thing he has ever eaten! Loved them!! Thank you for a new family favorite.
Thank you Darci! So happy that you and your family loved this recipe!
Can you add the strawberry jam prior to baking?
I suppose you could, but I prefer dipping it in case some don’t like the sweetness.
This is a new family favorite! Picky kid approved!
Thanks for sharing! ???????❤❤❤??????
Thank you Michele! Glad you and your family loved it.
Did you use the entire bowl of butter/egg mixture for this recipe? After I brushed it on top of the rolls I had a lot left…
If you look at the photo you can see there’s a lot on top. The idea is to soak the bread a little, like you would french toast.
A W E S O M E
will make again and again
Love the Monte Cristos so far… going to make all of these!! Love! Thank you!
I LOVE YOUR PASSION FOR FOOD AND APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR RECIPES