Croque-monsieur
croque-monsieur
Croque-monsieur is a French toasted ham and cheese sandwich of white bread, ham and Gruyère or Emmental, often topped with béchamel and grilled until bubbling.
Allergens at a glance
- UsuallyGlutenWhite sandwich bread, plus flour in the béchamel.
- UsuallyMilkGruyère or Emmental, butter on the bread, milk in the béchamel.
- OftenMustardMany cooks spread Dijon mustard inside or whisk it into the béchamel.
- SometimesEggsA croque-madame is topped with a fried egg.
Usually in the standard recipe. Often in many versions. Sometimes in some kitchens, or a cross-contact risk.
Diets
- Not vegetarian: ham. Some cafés offer a meat-free croque.
- Not halal or kosher: pork ham, and meat with cheese.
- Not gluten-free unless made on gluten-free bread; grills and toasters are shared.
Recipes change from kitchen to kitchen. If you have an allergy, confirm every ingredient with the restaurant before you order.
What is a croque-monsieur?
A croque-monsieur is a hot ham and cheese sandwich, toasted or grilled, and in most Paris cafés covered with béchamel sauce and more cheese before it goes under the grill. The name roughly means "crunch, mister". It's been standard café food in France since the early 20th century, eaten at lunch with a green salad.
What's in it
- Bread: sliced white sandwich bread (pain de mie), buttered.
- Ham: cooked ham (jambon blanc), not cured.
- Cheese: grated Gruyère, Comté or Emmental inside and on top.
- Béchamel: a white sauce of butter, flour and milk, often seasoned with nutmeg. Not every café uses it.
- Mustard: a thin layer of Dijon is common.
The family is large. A croque-madame adds a fried egg on top. A croque provençal adds tomato, a croque norvégien swaps the ham for smoked salmon, and a croque au chèvre uses goat's cheese. A croque hawaïen adds pineapple.
Allergens and diets
Assume gluten and milk. The bread is wheat, and the béchamel uses flour as well as milk and butter. The cheese is cow's milk in the classic version, or goat's milk in the chèvre variation, which is no help for a milk allergy.
Mustard is the hidden one. Dijon is often spread thinly on the bread or stirred into the béchamel, where you won't see it. Mustard is a declared allergen in the EU, so a French café should be able to tell you if you ask.
Egg is "sometimes" because it's the defining extra of the croque-madame, and the two often share a menu line. The smoked salmon version brings fish. Ham means it isn't vegetarian, halal or kosher. Gluten-free bread is uncommon in French cafés, and the grill or toaster is shared.
On the menu
You'll find it as croque-monsieur in cafés and brasseries, usually with a side salad, and as a cheaper ready-made version in bakeries. Croque-madame is the egg-topped version. Supermarkets and bakeries sometimes sell it cold for reheating.
Last checked 1 November 2026. Spotted something wrong? Email support@inventum.com.au.