The Monte Cristo Puff Pastry is layers of ham, cheddar cheese, turkey, and Swiss cheese sandwiched between two puff pastry squares and baked until golden brown. They can also be cooked in an air fryer! While warm, each puff pastry is dusted with confectioners’ sugar and served with raspberry preserves for dipping. It’s a delicious variation of the classic Monte Cristo Sandwich, which you will also want to try!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Puff Pastry: You will need one box of store-bought puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed according to package instructions. Or, make your own puff pastry from my Apple Turnover recipe.
Ham: Look for sliced honey ham to use in the puff pastries. I like the little bit of sweetness from the honey. You could also use leftover ham (like my Apricot Honey Ham) or your preferred variety of ham.
Turkey: Use slices of roasted turkey from the deli. Or, use up leftover turkey.
Cheese: I used both mild cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese in the puff pastries. You can stick to one kind of cheese or try your favorite kinds of cheese!
Confectioners’ Sugar: To sweeten the puff pastry Monte Cristo, dust a little bit of confectioners’ sugar on top! This is optional, but a delicious contrast to the savory meats.
Dipping Sauce: Raspberry preserves are a popular dipping option for the classic sandwich. Raspberry jam would also work. I also like these dipped in honey mustard.
What To Serve With Monte Cristos
Each puff pastry is hearty enough to be the main course. So, here are some delicious options to serve with the pastries:
- Wedge Salad
- Coleslaw
- Fruit Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Potato Salad
- Homemade Potato Chips
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Soup
Can I Make Monte Cristo Puff Pastry Ahead Of Time?
Although best prepared and made fresh, you could get the puff pastries assembled a little bit ahead of time. Cut the puff pastry squares as instructed. Then, layer with the meats and cheeses. Do not add the top layer of puff pastry at this time; wait until ready to bake. Cover the assembled pastries with plastic wrap and refrigerate them until you are ready to bake, up to a few hours. Just before baking, brush the edges of the pastry squares with egg wash, place the top pastry squares, and crimp the edges to seal. Proceed with baking following the recipe instructions.
How To Store Monte Cristo Puff Pastry
To store puff pastry Monte Cristos, first, let them cool completely. Next, store them in an airtight container or wrap them well with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer. Using a microwave may make them a bit soggy.
Monte Cristo Puff Pastry
Ingredients
- 1 box (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
- 8 slices deli honey ham, divided
- 2 cups (226 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 8 slices deli roasted turkey, divided
- 2 cups (226 g) Swiss cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 large egg, room temperature, beaten
- confectioners' sugar, for dusting
- red raspberry preserves, for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.* Set out a baking sheet.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each sheet of puff pastry to a 10×10-inch square. Cut each into 4 squares for a total of 8 squares (about 5×5 inches each).
- Set out a sheet of parchment paper (about the size of the baking sheet). Place one of the puff pastry squares onto the parchment. Leaving a 1-inch border around the edges, top the puff pastry square with the following: 2 slices ham, ½ cup cheddar cheese, 2 slices turkey, and ½ cup Swiss cheese. Brush the edges with egg wash.
- Top with a second puff pastry square, stretching to fit and aligning the edges. Using a fork, crimp the edges to form a seal. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry squares. Carefully slide the parchment paper (with puff pastries) onto the baking sheet. (Alternately, you could prepare the puff pastries directly onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet, carefully crimping the edges.)
- Brush the tops of the puff pastries with egg wash. Then, cut three slits on the top to allow steam release.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Allow puff pastries to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
- Serve warm, dusted with confectioners' sugar, with red raspberry preserves for dipping.
Video
Notes
- Prepare puff pastries as instructed.
- Place assembled pastries into the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until crispy golden brown.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with raspberry preserves for dipping.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I love a good Monte Cristo so I was excited to try this version! I am happy to report that it is just as delicious as I was hoping for! I loved the flaky crust and how much filling was in each bite!
Elizabeth
Deliciously filling! I love the flaky puff pastry that is holding all of the layers of meats and cheeses! I really like these without the confectioners' sugar and dipping sauce, too!
Rachael
Monte Cristo is already a wonderful sandwich, but this puff pastry version is such an easy way to get all the flavors without having to fry anything!
Bella
I really enjoy the flaky puff pastry! It perfectly holds the ham and cheese. Yum!
Annabelle
This is an easy and delicious way to make a Monte Cristo at home, definitely worth trying!
This was so fun to put together and tasted absolutely delicious. The puff pastry is so crispy and flaky and of course the center is where the magic is along with the powdered sugar and preserves..yummmmy!!
Made it for lunch closely following your recipe. My husband said this is a keeper recipe and I agree. It was delicious! Used sugar free raspberry preserves and did the powdered sugar. We are going to try the other 2 sandwiches with cranberry sauce. That was my husband’s suggestion. That will be for lunch tomorrow.