Croque Madame Waffles Recipe
Croque Madame Waffles are a delightful twist on the classic French sandwich, combining crispy, savory waffles loaded with ham and Gruyère cheese, topped with creamy béchamel sauce and a perfectly cooked egg. This recipe offers a decadent brunch or lunch option that is both comforting and impressive.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Béchamel Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Waffle Batter
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1¾ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup shaved ham, diced
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
Assembly
- 18–24 slices shaved ham
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 6 eggs, poached or fried to your desired doneness
- Salt and pepper, for seasoning
- Chives, chopped, for serving (optional)
- Make the béchamel sauce: In a small saucepan or skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of all purpose flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid browning and to cook off the raw flour flavor. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk little by little to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, stir in 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the waffle batter: Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir in 2 lightly beaten eggs, 1¾ cups whole milk, and ¼ cup melted butter until just combined. Gently fold in 1 cup diced shaved ham and 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese.
- Cook the waffles: Grease the preheated waffle maker lightly. Pour about ¾ cup of batter onto the surface, close the lid, and cook until the waffles are golden brown and cooked through. Repeat for the remaining batter.
- Assemble the Croque Madame Waffles: Place the cooked waffles on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread about ⅙ of the prepared béchamel sauce evenly over each waffle. Top each with 3-4 slices of shaved ham and sprinkle with Gruyère cheese. Broil the waffles briefly until the cheese melts and the béchamel is hot and bubbly.
- Add the finishing touches: Transfer the waffles to serving plates. Top each with a poached or fried egg cooked to your preference. Season with salt and pepper as desired and garnish with chopped chives if using. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- To ensure smooth béchamel, whisk milk in gradually and stir constantly while heating.
- If you don’t have Gruyère cheese, Swiss or Emmental cheese can be good substitutes.
- Adjust the egg doneness according to your liking: soft-poached will add creaminess, while fried eggs add texture.
- Use a non-stick spray or brush the waffle iron with melted butter to prevent sticking.
- Leftover waffles can be reheated in an oven or toaster oven but are best fresh.
Keywords: Croque Madame, Waffles, French Sandwich, Béchamel Sauce, Ham and Cheese, Brunch Recipe