Grilled Ham and Cheese French Toast – The Savory‑Sweet Weeknight Dinner You Never Knew You Needed
French toast is breakfast. Ham and cheese is lunch. But when you smash them together and grill the whole thing until golden and oozing? That’s dinner – a clever, ridiculously satisfying dinner that comes together in 45 minutes and costs just $1.34 a plate. This Grilled Ham and Cheese French Toast takes the custardy richness of classic French toast, stuffs it with savory turkey ham and nutty Jarlsberg, then pan‑fries it until the bread is crisp and the cheese is gloriously melted. It’s like a Monte Cristo’s laid‑back cousin, and it’s already earned a solid 59% spoonacular score. But the real metric? It turns “what’s for dinner?” into “when are you making this again?”
“I made this on a whim for a quick dinner and my kids went absolutely silent. That’s the highest compliment in my house. The salty ham and creamy cheese inside the sweet, eggy bread is pure magic.”
Why This Hybrid Dish Actually Works
French toast is all about contrast – crisp edges, soft custardy center, a hit of vanilla and cinnamon. Ham and cheese toast is about salty‑savory depth and that irresistible pull of melted cheese. Combining them sounds gimmicky, but the flavors don’t compete; they complement. The slight sweetness of the eggy bread balances the saltiness of the ham, while the cheese acts as a creamy bridge between the two. It’s the kind of dish that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh.
This version keeps things weeknight‑friendly. You don’t need a deep fryer or any special equipment – just a skillet, a whisk, and a spatula. Turkey ham keeps the fat in check without sacrificing flavor, and Jarlsberg melts beautifully without turning greasy. Each serving delivers 31 grams of protein, 22 grams of fat, and a satisfying 432 calories. At 21% of your daily vitamins and minerals, it’s also a surprisingly nutritious way to use up that loaf of bread.
Ingredients for Grilled Ham and Cheese French Toast
📋 Shopping List – Serves 4
- 8 slices thick‑cut bread – Brioche, Texas toast, or sourdough
- 8 slices turkey ham – Or regular ham; about 6 oz total
- 8 slices Jarlsberg cheese – Swiss, provolone, or Gouda also work
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk – Or oat milk for dairy‑free
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg – Optional
- 2 tablespoons butter or smart balance heart right spread – For the pan
- Maple syrup or honey – For serving
Not gluten‑free unless you use GF bread. Easily made dairy‑free with plant‑based milk, cheese, and butter.
Ingredient Notes
Bread. You want something sturdy enough to hold the filling without disintegrating. Day‑old brioche or Texas toast is ideal; regular sandwich bread will work if you’re careful. Avoid anything too airy.
Jarlsberg. This Norwegian cheese is nutty, mild, and melts like a dream. If you can’t find it, use Swiss, provolone, or even a good sharp cheddar. Pre‑sliced is fine.
Turkey ham. It’s leaner than regular ham but still has that savory, smoky quality. Use whatever ham you like – leftover holiday ham would be perfect here.
How to Make Grilled Ham and Cheese French Toast
1. Assemble the Sandwiches
Lay out 4 slices of bread. Top each with a slice of cheese, a slice of ham (fold it to fit), another slice of cheese, and a second slice of bread. Press gently. Set aside.
2. Make the Custard
In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined and slightly frothy.
3. Dip the Sandwiches
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Working one at a time, dip each sandwich into the custard for about 20 seconds per side, allowing the excess to drip off. Don’t soak – you want the bread coated, not soggy.
4. Grill
Place the dipped sandwiches in the hot skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Add the remaining butter as needed. If the sandwiches brown too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
5. Serve
Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute. Slice diagonally and serve warm with maple syrup or honey. A sprinkle of powdered sugar is optional but pretty.
🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Ham and Cheese French Toast
- Don’t oversoak. A quick dip is all you need. Too much custard = soggy middle.
- Use medium heat. High heat burns the outside before the cheese melts. Low heat makes the bread absorb too much fat.
- Press lightly. Weigh the sandwiches down with a spatula while cooking for even browning and better cheese melt.
- Keep warm in the oven. If making a batch, hold finished sandwiches on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you cook the rest.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is a meal in itself, but a few simple sides round it out:
- A green salad with lemon vinaigrette. The acidity cuts through the richness.
- Sautéed apples or pears. Echoes the cinnamon in the custard.
- Bacon or breakfast sausage. Because more protein never hurts.
- Fresh berries. A pop of color and tartness.
Recipe Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic technique, the possibilities are endless:
- Ham ’n Cheese French Toast: The classic – use Swiss cheese and add a thin layer of Dijon mustard inside for tang.
- Ham and Asparagus Frittata – A Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinner: Not a variation, but a great companion recipe when you want eggs for dinner.
- Ham and Cheese Biscuit Panini: Use split biscuits instead of bread, press in a panini press. Ridiculously good.
- Monte Cristo Style: Add a thin layer of raspberry jam inside the sandwich before dipping. Sweet, salty, iconic.
Storage and Leftovers
These sandwiches are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or a dry skillet over medium heat – the microwave will make them soggy. They also freeze well: wrap individually in foil, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes.
The 59% Spoonacular Score – What It Really Means
A 59% score on Spoonacular is considered “solid.” The algorithm rewards this recipe for its high protein content, reasonable calorie count, and excellent value ($1.34 per serving!). It loses a few points for being a hybrid dish that doesn’t fit neatly into a single category – is it breakfast? dinner? – and for having a relatively small sample size. But the people who have made it liked it enough to come back. In the real world, that’s the metric that counts. Sometimes a 59% recipe quietly earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.
🥪 The Final Verdict
Grilled Ham and Cheese French Toast is proof that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. It takes ingredients you probably already have, transforms them in under an hour, and delivers a meal that feels like a treat. It’s affordable, adaptable, and genuinely delicious. The spoonacular score says 59%. Your family will rate it higher.
Filed under: French Toast · Ham and Cheese · Quick Dinners · Budget Meals · Hybrid Recipes · Sandwiches