This Vegan Monte Cristo is rich, sweet, and savory. It has the perfect balance of flavors. Eat it for breakfast or other times of the day.
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A Monte Cristo is basically a combination of French toast and a ham and cheese sandwich. For this recipe, I made a vegan version of the classic.
This Vegan Monte Cristo is sweet and savory with a touch of spice from Dijon mustard. Raspberry jam adds a tart, sweet component, and vegan Swiss gives this sandwich a rich, creamy flavor.
Tofu Bacon adds a sweet smoky flavor. Some other ways to use tofu bacon are a Vegan Submarine Sandwich, Vegan Reuben Sandwich, and a Vegan BLAT.
And if you prefer a Vegan Onion Quiche or a Vegan French Toast recipe, I have those too!
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🧾 Ingredients
- Bread: I used a gluten-free millet chia bread. You could use whatever your favorite bread is.
- Unsweetened plain almond milk: I used unsweetened because I like to control the amount of sugar. You could use the dairy-free milk of your choosing.
- Ground chia seeds: Gets gelatinous in liquid and acts as a binder. You could also use ground flax seeds.
- All-purpose gluten-free baking flour: Is the batter for the French toast. I haven't tried other flours, but I'm sure any all-purpose baking flour would work.
- Tofu bacon: Replaces bacon. Adds a sweet smoky flavor.
- Vegan Swiss cheese: Replaces Swiss cheese. Adds a mild nutty flavor.
- Raspberry jam: Adds a sweet tart flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a sharp tangy flavor.
- Vegan butter: To cook the bread in. Adds a rich buttery flavor. Any neutral-flavored oil would work. You could also use coconut oil or olive oil, just keep in mind the flavors they will impart.
This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Vegan mayo
- Store-bought vegan ham, turkey, or bacon
- Another vegan cheese like Provolone
- Powdered sugar sprinkled on top
- Maple syrup for serving
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Whisk unsweetened almond milk with ground chia seeds and gluten-free all-purpose baking flour in a shallow bowl or baking dish. Set aside.
Step 2: Spread raspberry jam and Dijon mustard on bread.
Step 3: Place vegan Swiss cheese slices and tofu bacon on bread and sandwich them together.
Step 4: Heat vegan butter in a skillet on medium heat.
Step 5: Dip sandwiches in batter, then place in a heated skillet with vegan butter. Dome the sandwich with a lid to help the vegan cheese melt.
Step 6: Fry on both sides until golden brown.
🥡 Storage
It is best to serve this sandwich right after making it. You can keep the batter in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The tofu bacon will last 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
💭 Tips
- Some vegan cheese melts better than others. You can broil the sandwiches if the Swiss isn't melted enough or you can place a heat-safe bowl or a cheese-melting dome over the top.
- I recommend cooking the sandwich in vegan butter. It imparts a rich buttery flavor.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
I have seen many variations of the Monte Cristo, but as I understand it, it is normally made with cheese, ham, or turkey, and dipped in egg before being grilled or fried. It usually has mustard or mayo and served with jam.
Like so many recipes, I had to veganize it. Instead of meat and cheese, I used tofu bacon and vegan Swiss cheese.
🥪 Other Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
🎥 Video
If you tried this Vegan Monte Cristo Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
I originally posted this recipe on Dec. 7, 2016. I added new photos, text, and a video when I republished it.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Monte Cristo
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoons all-purpose gluten free flour
- 4 slices gluten free bread
- 4 slices tofu bacon
- 4 slices vegan Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons raspberry jam
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk unsweetened plain almond milk, ground chia seeds, gluten free flour, and salt together until lumps are gone. Set aside.
- Spread raspberry jam on two slices of bread. Spread Dijon mustard on the other two slices of bread.
- Put 2 slices of vegan Swiss and 2 slices of tofu bacon on top of raspberry jam. Top with the remaining slices of bread, mustard side down.
- Heat vegan butter in a pan on medium heat. Dip one sandwich in the batter, then place it in the pan. Cover the pan with a lid so the vegan cheese melts. Repeat with the other sandwich. Cook both sides until golden brown.
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Lillie says
I used lingonberry jam, added butter to the pan and mine wasn't gluten free. It was delicious. Thank you
Willow Moon says
I’ve never had lingonberry jam, I have to check it out!
Deana says
I have been making this every week because I love it so much! Thanks for the recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Deana, I'm so glad!
cara says
Drooling right now! These look/sound so good!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Cara!
Cathy says
Oh my gosh I am sitting here literally drooling at the mouth haha!! You're making me want to have this for lunch!
Willow Moon says
Haha! Thanks Cathy!
Bella says
Yummy this looks so good!! I love grilled cheese
Amber says
the minute you said, "breakfast" I was in. I loooove monte cristos and I love that this is vegan! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Amber!
Mallory Mitchell says
This sound so good!! Sharing it with all my vegan friends right now 🙂
Willow Moon says
Thanks Mallory!
Mary Barham says
YUM!!!! I am going to make this tomorrow for my sisters and I!! They will beg me for the recipe! SHARING!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Mary! I hope you all like it!
Ciera Chang says
Yum! This sandwich looks delicious!
xoxo, CiCi
Willow Moon says
Thanks Cici!
anastasia says
OMG YUM! Obsessed with this healthy alternative to such a classic dish. I'm vegetarian and totally going to make this - but probably with normal bread 😉
Willow Moon says
Thanks Anastasia! I miss regular bread, especially sour dough and baguettes!