Change up your sandwich routine – these Monte Cristo Waffle Sandwiches are made on the waffle maker!
I have been obsessed with food for as long as I can remember. I remember as a child, seeing infomercials for these electric sandwich makers. I’m sure many of you remember them – the infomercial showed that you could put sandwich bread in, put some pie filling on top, then top with another piece of bread. Cook in the little machine, and you have almost-instant mini pies! Or fill the sandwich with lunch meat and cheese for a warm, gooey sandwich. (And wow, I must live under a rock, because they still make these machines today! I had no idea!) I remember watching those infomercials, and wanting one so badly. I wanted those little hand-held pies. I wanted to feel like a rock-star in the kitchen, whipping up gourmet sandwiches. As I recall, my mom did eventually end up buying one, and I don’t think we made very many sandwiches in that machine. Turns out, they just weren’t as good as they looked on those infomercials. (surprise, surprise!)
Today, give me a panini press, and I’m sure I could whip up a pretty good sandwich. I think that the panini press is today’s version of that sandwich maker that was so popular when I was a kid – but I think the panini press is much more successful at making a good sandwich. But guess what? You don’t even need a panini press to whip up a darn good lunch – as long as you have a waffle maker!!
I love monte cristo sandwiches, so I was really excited to see how today’s waffle creation would pan out. Turns out, it’s a simple monte cristo – just cooked up on a waffle maker!! I have to admit that I would have never thought to use the waffle maker as a grill like this, but it totally works!! If you don’t have a panini press, and you’ve been jealous at the sandwiches you’ve seen out there, just pull out your waffle maker!!
My biggest complaint with this sandwich is that it’s missing my favorite part of a monte cristo – the jam and the powdered sugar. That is what sets a monte cristo apart from other sandwiches to me. And I totally would have added them both, but I was sad when I opened up the fridge and didn’t have any raspberry jam. So we just enjoyed them as is. But really, I’m not complaining because they were pretty darn delicious. They were perfect for lunch, and super easy and fast to throw together.
So next time you are craving a warm sandwich for lunch or dinner, forget the panini press, forget the griddle – pull out the waffle maker!!
Monte Cristo Waffle Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard divided
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 8 slices bread
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere
- 1/4 lb deli sliced ham
- 1/4 lb deli sliced turkey
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron.
- In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, and 1 tablespoon of the Dijon. Season with salt and pepper.
- Brush the waffle maker with the melted butter. Lay out 4 slices of bread. Top each with some cheese, ham, turkey, then more cheese. Top with another slice of bread.
- Dip the sandwiches in the egg batter then place on the waffle maker. Close the top and cook until the sandwich is browned and the cheese is melted.
Tricia says
I’ve never tried my waffle maker for sandwiches, but we do use our George Foreman grill to make paninis all the time. If it weren’t for yummy samdwiches I don’t think we’d use that grill at all anymore 🙂
Lannie says
i don’t think i’ve ever heard a word i like as much as ‘wafflewich’
fantastic.
Erika - The Teenage Taste says
I’m loving all of the waffle recipe ideas you’ve had floating around here lately. I want a wafflewich now! 🙂
Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats says
Wafflewiches are the best!!!!!
Maureen says
Monte Cristo is my favorite sandwich EVER!! Such a great recipe!
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray (soon to be Rachel Cooks) says
Oh I LOVE this!
Kristy says
Oh and here I thought yesterday’s was going to be my favorite…the monte Christo is hands-down my favorite sandwich! I’m making this one!!! The thought of the raspberry jam and melty cheese had me drooling. 🙂
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
I have a waffle maker coming that I won…I need to put it to use, pronto!
Kelley says
This looks insane! I love the idea of using a waffle for the bread. Thanks, I’m craving this for breakfast now!
Bev Weidner says
Dude, omg. I need one!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
These look insanely delicious! What a creative recipe! Love it!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Love it. You can always create a little dipping sauce of raspberry jam + maple syrup. Monte Cristos are the best!
Asiya says
What a great idea! I really want a panini press but in my tiny kitchen I have no wear to store it 🙁 but I DO have a waffle iron…..I’m going to try this out for lunch…Thx for sharing!
Jessen says
Rachael Ray is Awesome! I DVR all her shows, and she lends so much inspiration and creativity to me, even if I don’t make her recipe, she’s showed me that signature dishes (i.e. Gumbo, Minestrone, etc) don’t always have to be cooked the way they were created. Adding my own twist is what makes the dish different everytime!
branny says
I’ve never had a MC sandwich but I want one so badly!
Katrina says
A waffle-witch?! AWESOME!