Croque Monsieur Pancakes

These croque monsieur pancakes are a comforting twist on a classic sandwich. It’s easily the most indulgent recipe I’ve developed to date, but WOW is it good. And besides, we all deserve a treat every once in a while!

There’s something inherently comforting about a Croque Monsieur. A French classic, it combines all the elements we love about a good sandwich—melty cheese, savoury ham, and a creamy béchamel sauce. But, I wanted to take things up a notch, and that’s how these Croque Monsieur Pancakes were born. Think of it as a decadent pancake bake that’s as satisfying as it is indulgent. Whether you’re hosting brunch or just fancy something a little different, this dish is pure comfort food. Watch me make this recipe here.

Table of Contents

• What You’ll Need to Make these Croque Monsieur Pancakes
• How These Croque Monsieur Pancakes Came to Be
• Choosing the Right Pancakes
• Béchamel Sauce: The Secret to Comfort
• Assembling the Croque Monsieur Pancakes
• Serving Suggestions
• Why These Croque Monsieur Pancakes Work
• Make-Ahead Tips
• A Little Indulgence Never Hurt
• More Brunch Recipes

What You’ll Need to Make these Croque Monsieur Pancakes

• Pancakes: You can use shop-bought for ease, or if you’re feeling up for it, homemade pancakes bring an extra layer of love to the dish.
• Dijon mustard: This sharp and tangy mustard is essential for balancing the richness of the béchamel and cheese.
• Ham: Opt for good-quality ham that adds flavour without being too salty or overpowering.
• Gruyère cheese: The king of melting cheeses! Gruyère has a nutty flavour and melts beautifully, perfect for this dish.
• Fresh chives: Thinly sliced chives add a touch of freshness and a pop of green to the rich, cheesy bake.
• Milk: Whole milk works best for a rich, creamy sauce.
• Unsalted butter: Butter is the foundation of béchamel, creating that smooth, luscious texture.
• Plain flour: Helps thicken the sauce to the right consistency.

How These Croque Monsieur Pancakes Came to Be

This dish was born out of a desire to merge two of my favourite things—pancakes and Croque Monsieur. The traditional Croque Monsieur is already a masterclass in comfort food, but I wanted to create something that felt more like a meal you could share. By rolling everything up in pancakes and baking it, you get the same flavours but in a format that’s perfect for serving to a crowd. It’s indulgent, yes, but sometimes we all need a little indulgence, don’t we?

The key here is that everything comes together quickly, but with all the elegance of a French bistro dish. You get the crisped-up cheese on top, the creamy béchamel oozing between the pancakes, and the savoury ham tucked inside each roll. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this bake.

Choosing the Right Pancakes

While shop-bought pancakes are perfectly fine for this recipe, there’s something about making your own that makes it extra special. If you’re keen to go homemade, choose a basic pancake recipe that isn’t too sweet. You’re aiming for thin, crepe-like pancakes that can easily roll around the filling.

If you’re short on time, shop-bought options are still great. Look for thin pancakes or crepes rather than thicker American-style ones. You want them to be pliable so they wrap easily around the ham and cheese filling without cracking.

Béchamel Sauce: The Secret to Comfort

Béchamel is the backbone of many classic French dishes, and in this croque monsieur pancakes, it’s no different. While it may seem intimidating if you’ve never made it before, it’s really quite straightforward. You just need to follow the steps and whisk continuously to avoid lumps.

Start by warming the milk in a separate pan so it’s ready to go once your roux (the butter and flour mixture) is cooked. This makes a big difference, as adding cold milk to the roux can cause the sauce to clump. Once the sauce is thickened, the gruyère takes it to the next level, adding that signature nuttiness and depth that makes this dish so special.

Assembling the Croque Monsieur Pancakes

Once your pancakes are ready, the assembly is quick. Spread each pancake with a bit of Dijon mustard for that tangy kick, then layer on a slice of ham and a sprinkle of gruyère. Roll them up into neat little logs and arrange them in your baking dish. It’s important to keep the rolls snug but not too tight—you want the béchamel to seep between the layers for maximum creaminess.

Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, making sure everything gets a good coating, and then into the oven it goes. The bake time is relatively short—around 15 minutes—but that’s all it needs to turn golden, bubbly, and irresistible.

Serving Suggestions

When these Croque Monsieur Pancakes come out of the oven, they’ll be bubbling and golden on top. A scattering of freshly chopped chives adds colour and freshness, cutting through the richness of the dish.

This bake is perfect on its own, but if you’re serving it for brunch or lunch, you might want to add a light, zingy salad on the side. Something with peppery rocket, dressed simply with olive oil and lemon, would work perfectly to balance the indulgence of the pancakes.

Why These Croque Monsieur Pancakes Work

What makes this recipe a winner is the balance of flavours and textures. You’ve got the creamy béchamel, the slightly salty ham, the nutty cheese, and that tangy mustard all wrapped up in soft pancakes. Baked until golden, the cheese crisps up on top, adding a bit of crunch. Each bite is rich and comforting, but thanks to the mustard and chives, there’s also a lovely freshness to cut through the richness.

This dish is also versatile. You can easily swap the ham for a vegetarian option—roasted vegetables like mushrooms or courgettes would work brilliantly. Similarly, if you don’t have gruyère on hand, a good-quality cheddar or comté will do the trick.

Make-Ahead Tips

If you’re planning ahead, this recipe can be prepped in advance. Assemble the pancake rolls and arrange them in the baking dish, then store them covered in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, simply whip up the béchamel and pour it over the top just before baking.

You can also freeze any leftovers. Once cooled, wrap them in foil and freeze for up to a month. Reheat in the oven from frozen until piping hot.

A Little Indulgence Never Hurt

We all deserve a bit of indulgence now and then, and this Croque Monsieur Pancake bake certainly ticks that box. It’s perfect for a weekend brunch, a casual lunch with friends, or even a midweek dinner when you want something that feels a bit special. It’s rich, comforting, and full of flavour—exactly the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savour each bite.

More Brunch Recipes

If you’re looking for more brunch inspiration, why not try one of these delicious recipes?

• Kimchi Potato Rosti: Golden, crispy and loaded with flavour, this Kimchi Potato Rosti takes a classic dish and gives it a vibrant twist. The addition of kimchi introduces a tangy and spicy kick. Topped with poached eggs and avocado, it makes for the perfect brunch dish.
• New York-Style Bagels: They’re crunchy on the outside and perfectly chewy in the middle – infinitely better than anything you’d buy in a supermarket!
• Courgette and Halloumi Rosti: A fresh, Mediterranean twist on a classic rosti, creating a unique combination of textures and flavours.
• Hong Kong Style French Toast: Loaded with peanut butter (or your favourite spread!), fried to golden crispy perfection and finished with a drizzle of condensed milk, it makes for the most epic brunch dish.
• Açai Bowl: The perfect summertime breakfast! Why pay a fortune for an açai bowl when you can make one at home for a fraction of the cost?