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Baked Monte Cristo Sliders

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This recipe was featured in Stillwater Living Magazine

Baked Monte Cristo Sliders are a mini version of the classic sandwich. Layers of meat and cheese are brushed with a delicious glaze and baked to golden perfection. These are a great way to use up holiday leftovers, or any time of year for a snack, appetizer or gameday tailgate

This post and recipe card updated September 13, 2019
overhead close-up shot of finished Monte Cristo sliders, with a side of raspberry preserves

The winter holidays are about food. And lots of it. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the holiday parties, it’s super easy to overindulge, and I swear there’s new food showing up at every turn.

And I feel like whenever you host a holiday or a party you always end up with way too much food. That, of course, means leftovers for days. But reheating leftovers gets old pretty quickly. Instead, I like to come up with creative ways to use them up.

I always have leftover dry stuffing because I don’t make the whole box when it’s just me, so I use them for Venison Stuffing Balls. Last year I shared my Roasted Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese, which is such a delicious sandwich. 

My original plan for this year was Monte Cristo bites. But as I made them the first time I realized they were basically just another grilled cheese. So I threw on my creative cap and came up with Baked Monte Cristo Sliders

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
  • They’re great to use up leftovers, but you can make them with “fresh” ingredients all year long
  • They’re perfect for entertaining or as a snack
  • How can you not love a hot sandwich with gooey melted cheese?!
overhead shot of finished Monte Cristo sliders, with a side of raspberry preserves

The traditional Monte Cristo is quite dense because you’re basically making a French toast grilled cheese. I tried it several times but wasn’t happy with the results. Besides, Baked Monte Cristo Sliders have all the elements of the traditional, in a lighter sandwich.

BEST BREAD TO USE FOR BAKED MONTE CRISTO SLIDERS

I wasn’t sure what would work best, so I tried several different types

  • Bakery Classic Slider Buns – I used the wheat buns. They are the perfect size, hold up well, and brown very nicely
  • Sourdough bread is traditional for the Monte Cristo. However, I couldn’t find sourdough slider buns
  • Brown & Serve Dinner Rolls – they don’t get golden brown, because of the mustard glaze
  • Hawaiian Rolls – I am not a fan of the sweet roll with the other ingredients, but that’s personal preference
MEAT AND CHEESE

I use 1oz of each meat and 1/2oz of each cheese per slider. Of course, you can use more if you’d like.

Honey ham has the best flavor to me, and I like the roasted turkey that still has some of the skin on the edges.

When I’m making Baked Monte Cristo Sliders without holiday leftovers, I prefer butcher cut meats over the pre-packaged brands.

The most important thing is to use a cheese that melts well. You want to use grated cheese or thin slices because the sliders are only in the oven for 7-10 minutes.

I use thin-sliced Swiss cheese, which is the traditional cheese for Baked Monte Cristo sliders. I also use smoked Gouda, because it is a very nice, smooth melting cheese and has fabulous flavor

ALL THE CONDIMENTS FOR BAKED MONTE CRISTO SLIDERS

I tried avocado oil mayo, but it changes the flavor of the Baked Monte Cristo Sliders. So I recommend real Mayonnaise.

The mustard glaze couldn’t be easier, as you just whisk together Spicy Brown MustardRaw Honey, and Brown Sugar. I brush the glaze onto the sliders just before baking; it melts into the bread but doesn’t make it soggy at all. Quite the contrary, it actually helps the bun toast a little more

overhead process shot: all ingredients, on a board, with names listed above
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Lay slider buns face up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and spread mayonnaise on the inside of each side.

Place ham on the bottom half of slider buns. Add grated cheese. Place turkey on top of the cheese. Top with a slice of Swiss cheese.

overhead process shot: each stage of building the sliders

Add top of the slider bun, and brush each top with mustard glaze.

close up process shot: sliders prepped and glazed, ready to bake

Bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes. Remove and transfer to a serving platter. Dust each Baked Monte Cristo Slider with Powdered Sugar for a beautiful presentation

close up shot of finished Monte Cristo Sliders with a side of raspberry preserves

Don’t skip out on the Raspberry Preserves! It’s a traditional condiment and is the perfect finish for your Baked Monte Cristo Sliders.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are other good cheese options? Sharp Cheddar and Gruyere both melt well and have great flavor. Again, the key is a good melting cheese so use your favorites.

Can you make these ahead? Yes, you can build the sliders a day ahead and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Take them out about 30 minutes before baking so they return to room temperature. I also recommend waiting until just before baking to brush them with the mustard glaze or it will get gummy.

What about leftovers? I find that the bread gets hard if you keep leftovers, so I don’t recommend it.

Baked Monte Cristo Sliders are a great way to use up holiday leftovers. But don’t limit yourself to that! Make them for tailgating and gameday parties, brunch, or party appetizers.

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Baked Monte Cristo Sliders - Karyl's Kulinary Krusade

Baked Monte Cristo Sliders

Yield: 12 sliders
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Baked Monte Cristo Sliders are a mini version of the classic sandwich. Layers of meat and cheese, topped with a mouthwatering glaze, and baked to golden perfection. These are a great way to use up holiday leftovers, or any time of year as a snack, appetizer or gameday tailgate

Ingredients

  • 12 slider buns (I use wheat buns)
  • 12 ounces sliced honey ham, cut off the bone
  • 12 ounces roasted turkey, sliced
  • 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise (approximate amount)
  • 6 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese, cut in quarters
  • 1 Tablespoon spicy brown mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon raw honey
  • 1/2 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar (for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup raspberry preserves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, honey, and brown sugar. Set aside
  3. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Separate slider buns and lay each piece face up on baking sheet. 
  4. Spread a little bit of mayonnaise on each piece. You only need about 1/2 teaspoon per half bun

BUILD SLIDERS. For each slider, you will use 1oz each of meat and 1/2oz each of cheese.

  1. Portion ham evenly across bottom half of slider bun
  2. Portion smoked Gouda evenly across bottom half of buns, on top of ham
  3. Portion turkey evenly across bottom half of buns, on top of smoked Gouda
  4. Place 1/2 slice of Swiss cheese on bottom of each bun, on top of turkey
  5. Place top of slider bun on top of built sliders
  6. Using a pastry brush, generously brush mustard glaze on the top of each slider
  7. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately remove sliders from 
  8. Using a fine mesh strainer, sprinkle sliders with powdered sugar. Serve with raspberry preserves, as a dipping sauce

Notes

I tried avocado oil mayo, but it changes the flavor of the Baked Monte Cristo Sliders. So I recommend real Mayonnaise.

When I’m making Baked Monte Cristo Sliders without holiday leftovers, I prefer butcher cut meats over the pre-packaged brands.

BREAD OPTIONS:

  • Bakery Classic Slider Buns – I used the wheat buns. They are the perfect size, hold up well, and brown very nicely
  • Sourdough bread is traditional for the Monte Cristo. However, I couldn’t find sourdough slider buns
  • Brown & Serve Dinner Rolls – they don’t get golden brown, because of the mustard glaze
  • Hawaiian Rolls – I am not a fan of the sweet roll with the other ingredients, but that’s personal preference

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are other good cheese options? Sharp Cheddar and Gruyere both melt well and have great flavor. Again, the key is a good melting cheese so use your favorites.

Can you make these ahead? Yes, you can build the sliders a day ahead and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend waiting until just before baking to brush them with the mustard glaze or it will get gummy.

What about leftovers? I find that the bread gets hard if you keep leftovers, so I don’t recommend it.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 337Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 599mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 24g

Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients, etc

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Jamie

Sunday 10th of December 2023

Wow! This is such a great-looking slider, and it looks amazingly delicious! With most of our favorite ingredients in this slider, it is hard not to resist! I just love easy and instant recipes at home for the family to enjoy! This is definitely an awesome addition!

Loreto Nardelli

Sunday 20th of September 2020

What a great way to use up leftovers, not to mention delicioys! I live sliders and the fact you have made Monte Cristo is just wonderful. Very creative!

Jenny

Saturday 19th of September 2020

Tomorrow is game day and guess what I am making? Your Monte Cristo Sliders! They look fantastic and I am thrilled to have found your recipe. My hubby kindly requested sliders for tomorrow's game day, he has no idea that these are coming! It will be fabulous. Thanks so much!

Aditi Bahl

Saturday 19th of September 2020

These looks absolutely delicious. Have never tried these before but they look so lovely that i have to try these soon.

Paula Montenegro

Friday 18th of September 2020

Never mind the holidays, I want these sandwiches every weekend! I love the mix of cold meats and cheeses. Scrumptious!

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