Mini Croque-Monsieur Appetizers 🥪🧀
Toasty, cheesy, and creamy—these mini sandwiches bring all the flavor of the French bistro favorite in perfect appetizer form.
Ingredients
1 French baguette (sliced into ½-inch rounds)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk, warmed
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp nutmeg (optional, traditional touch)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
6 slices ham, thinly cut and halved
Instructions
Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and thickened. Stir in Dijon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
Assemble the Appetizers:
Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and lightly toast under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
Spread a small spoonful of béchamel on each toast.
Add a slice of ham and sprinkle with Gruyère cheese.
Top with another dab of béchamel and a final sprinkle of cheese.
Broil & Serve:
Place under the broiler for 3–5 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and golden.
Garnish with parsley if desired and serve warm.
✨ Tips:
For a Croque-Madame twist, top each with a tiny fried quail egg.
Can be prepped ahead—assemble, refrigerate, then broil just before serving.
Serve alongside a French mustard dipping sauce for extra zing.
Yield: ~20 mini appetizers
Total Time: ~30 minutes