Name: Croque Madame – A French Twist On Classic Breakfast Ideas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole milk; 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 4 slices sourdough bread; 4 slices deli ham; 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated; 4 eggs; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe

I’ve always believed the best mornings start with comfort and a touch of decadence, and this Croque Madame brings both to the table. This is one of those breakfast ideas that manages to feel special without requiring a culinary degree. Imagine warm slices of bread, golden and crisp, stacked with savory ham and melty cheese, then crowned with a gently fried egg. We’re talking fork-breaking-the-yolk kind of magic. It’s the kind of breakfast that hugs your insides, yet still feels light enough for a warm summer day. If you’re into breakfast recipes that make you feel like you’re sitting at a Parisian café (without needing a plane ticket), this one checks that box. And yes, I hear you—this can totally be turned into a breakfast ideas vegetarian version, or even breakfast ideas vegan if you’re adventurous in the kitchen. It’s flexible like that. My toddler? Obsessed. And we’re always looking for whole food breakfast ideas that don’t taste like cardboard, right? So whether you’re cooking for yourself, a crowd, or a picky toddler, this Croque Madame holds its own. And who says breakfast has to be boring anyway? Let’s make it delicious.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Croque Madame Recipe
3) Ingredients for Croque Madame
4) How to Make Croque Madame
5) Tips for Making Croque Madame
6) Making Croque Madame Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Croque Madame
8) Try these Breakfast recipes next!
9) Croque Madame
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

What is a Croque Madame and how does it differ from a Croque Monsieur?
What type of bread and cheese work best for this recipe?
Can I make this into a vegetarian-friendly option?
What are good side dishes or drinks to pair with a Croque Madame?

2) Easy Croque Madame Recipe

When the morning kicks off slow and you’re craving something that feels both homemade and indulgent, Croque Madame steps in. It’s a grilled ham and cheese sandwich made with thick bread, creamy béchamel, a bit of mustard, and a gooey fried egg that spills over like warm sunshine. It checks all the boxes for breakfast ideas: quick, filling, comforting.

I’ve made this more times than I can count. It started as a weekend tradition, but it slowly slipped into our weekday rotation. The prep doesn’t take long, and you get that café-style French brunch feeling without leaving your kitchen. And let me tell you, it’s pretty hard to mess this up.

Whether you’re hunting for breakfast ideas vegan adjacent (just swap a few things) or looking for something your toddler might actually sit still for, this sandwich has you covered. It brings the cozy and delivers flavor without fuss. The best part? You don’t need fancy tools. Just a pan, some basic ingredients, and a few quiet minutes with your coffee while it bakes.

3) Ingredients for Croque Madame

Unsalted Butter: This helps form the base of the creamy béchamel sauce. You’ll want to melt it gently so it doesn’t brown or burn.

All-purpose Flour: Just a couple tablespoons is enough to thicken that sauce into something smooth and spoonable.

Whole Milk: Whole milk gives the sauce a rich, creamy texture. If you’ve only got low-fat, it’ll work, but whole milk wins the comfort contest.

Dijon Mustard: Adds just the right amount of bite and cuts through the richness. Don’t skip it. It’s subtle but makes a big difference.

Kosher Salt and Ground Nutmeg: Salt boosts all the flavors. Nutmeg? It adds a warm background note that makes everything feel homemade.

Sourdough Bread: Thick slices hold up best. When toasted, they give that perfect crunch and soak up the béchamel without getting soggy.

Deli Ham: Choose a quality ham that’s not too salty. Fold it between the layers for texture and a bit of bite.

Gruyère Cheese: This cheese melts like a dream. It’s nutty and bold and turns golden in the oven, making the top crisp up just right.

Eggs: One per sandwich. Fried, sunny-side up, just enough to break that yolk and coat the top with velvety richness.

Olive Oil: A drizzle for frying the eggs. It adds a little depth and keeps the whites from sticking to the pan.

Salt and Pepper: Finish with a sprinkle of both. It brings the sandwich together and makes the egg shine.

4) How to Make Croque Madame

Step 1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in flour until it forms a thick, smooth paste without clumps.

Step 2. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until it thickens. Then stir in mustard, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside the béchamel.

Step 3. Heat the oven to 400°F. Place parchment on a baking sheet and grab four slices of sourdough.

Step 4. On each bread slice, spread a spoonful of béchamel. Layer ham and cheese onto two of them. Top with the remaining slices to create sandwiches.

Step 5. Move the sandwiches to the sheet. Bake about 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the top turns golden. The smell alone will call everyone to the kitchen.

Step 6. While the oven does its thing, heat olive oil in a skillet. Crack in the eggs. Cook them until the whites are firm but the yolks stay soft.

Step 7. Pull the sandwiches from the oven, top each one with a hot egg, add salt and pepper, and serve while it’s still warm. Breakfast ideas like this don’t wait.

5) Tips for Making Croque Madame

Use fresh bread. Don’t grab that squishy white stuff. You want sturdy slices that can hold toppings without turning to mush. If you can find a rustic loaf, even better.

Make the sauce ahead. The béchamel stays good in the fridge for two days. That means you can start a lazy Saturday without dragging yourself to the stove half-awake.

Egg timing matters. The yolk should still be soft when it hits the sandwich. That creamy spill is half the reason we love Croque Madame. Keep the pan hot, but not smoking, and let the egg do its thing slowly.

6) Making Croque Madame Ahead of Time

Want to get ahead? Assemble the sandwiches without baking them, then wrap tightly and keep in the fridge overnight. Next morning, all you need to do is pop them in the oven and fry the eggs fresh.

The béchamel can be made up to two days in advance. Store it in a sealed container and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk before using. It’ll save you time and mess when everyone’s hungry.

If you’re prepping for guests or a brunch crowd, bake several sandwiches at once. Just don’t add the egg until just before serving. Breakfast ideas like this deserve to be served warm and with care.

7) Storing Leftover Croque Madame

Leftovers are rare, but if you do have a sandwich or two left, wrap them well in foil and refrigerate. They’ll keep for two days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about ten minutes to crisp up the bread again.

Keep the eggs separate. If you made extras, store those in a sealed container and gently warm them in a skillet. The yolks may not be runny after reheating, but the flavor still holds strong.

This meal doesn’t love the microwave, so try to avoid it. A toaster oven works better to restore the texture and give that cheese the melty warmth you want.

8) Try these Breakfast recipes next!

9) Croque Madame