
Whenever I'm looking to bring a bit of French flair to my get-togethers, these Mini Croque Monsieurs are my go-to. Every small sandwich comes packed with layers of nutty gruyere, chunky ham slices, and a velvety homemade Bechamel. When these ingredients come together, they create something truly wonderful that'll make any gathering feel extra special.
The Perfect Party Pleaser
These tiny treats are always a hit at my events. They never fail to impress, whether I'm hosting football fans or having the girls over for drinks. What's really great? They're actually pretty easy to make but they look and taste like something you'd pay good money for at a cute French bistro.
Kitchen Essentials
- Bread: Cobblestone Million Dollar White Bread works wonders for that perfect toast.
- Smoked Gruyere Cheese: Cut it into fine slices for the ultimate melt factor.
- Ham: Choose chunky cuts because they really bump up the flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: A small amount brings that needed tangy kick.
- Butter: You'll want this for both the toasting process and your sauce base.
- Flour: It's what gives your sauce that smooth consistency.
- Milk: The foundation of your velvety Bechamel.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a lovely depth to your sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that tie everything together nicely.
Crafting Your Bite-sized Delights
- Prep your bread:
- Coat bread slices with melted butter and pop them in the oven for a light golden crisp.
- Stack your ingredients:
- Apply Dijon to half of your toasted bread, then stack cheese, ham, more cheese, and the remaining bread. Then cut into adorable squares.
- Whip up the sauce:
- In a pan, melt butter, add flour until you get that toasty scent, then gradually pour in milk while stirring constantly until thickened. Mix in parmesan for extra goodness.
- Finishing up:
- Drizzle sauce over each mini sandwich, bake until heated through, then switch to broiler mode for that stunning golden crust.
Insider Tricks
- Bread matters: I can't say enough good things about Cobblestone Million Dollar White.
- Cheese cutting hack: I always use my mandoline to get those gruyere slices just right.
- Perfect browning: Don't skip that quick broiler finish for amazing color.
- Time management: You can get everything ready early and just do the sauce and baking right before guests arrive.
Crowd-Pleasing Favorites
I've become known for these little sandwiches at my parties. They add a touch of class to any event while staying totally accessible and mouthwatering. Something magical happens when you combine crispy bread, gooey cheese and that rich sauce. Your friends will be talking about them long after they've gone home.

Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
- You can prep the sandwiches early but wait to add the sauce until baking. This keeps the bread crunchy and not soggy.
- → Why bake the bread beforehand?
- Baking first keeps the bread crisp and adds a crunchy texture when the cheesy sauce is layered on.
- → Can I swap the cheese?
- Instead of gruyere, try swiss or emmental for rich, gooey goodness. Look for a cheese that melts well.
- → How should I warm up extras?
- Heat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for roughly 5-7 minutes. Microwaving is best avoided as it softens both bread and cheese.
- → What’s the sauce for?
- The creamy sauce makes the sandwiches rich and helps with the signature golden-brown crust after broiling.