This is sure to become a brunch favorite. A ham and cheddar waffle is topped with creamy Dijon bechamel. More ham and cheese and a perfectly poached egg seal the deal for a fun waffle twist on the classic French sandwich.
Take your brunch game to the next level with these croque madame style waffles. They are a little bit sophisticated mixed with a healthy dose of fun.
Or course the layers of flavors make for a delicious taste experience. They are a perfect breakfast for company or a fabulous breakfast for dinner option.
This final recipe is a perfect brunch dish in my eyes. It is a slightly more grown up and definitely more savory version of one of my all time brunch favorites, the Belgian waffle.
Using some inspiration from the decadent French sandwich, the croque madame and sprinkling in a healthy dose of Vermont cheddar cheese for a new brunch treat.
That’s right, folks! I took a French sandwich, a Belgian waffle and the finest of American cheddar cheeses for an international brunch delight.
It is also great with Dutch gouda or Swiss gruyere. It is a small world after all!
I topped it with a farm fresh poached egg straight from my parents’ house for a touch of eat local and farm to table too.
This dish covers all of the bases!
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Let me break it down for you a little more. These waffles aren’t just any old waffles.
They are stuffed with ham and freshly grated cheddar. Then they are cooked until golden and crispy.
They would be great with some butter and syrup and you should definitely try that someday. But not today!
Oh no, today you are going to spread some bechamel flavored with a bit of Dijon on it. Then you are going to grate some of that delicious cheese on top.
Go ahead, pile it on. This is your brunch, you might as well go for it.
Now stick that puppy under the broiler until everything is gooey, bubbly and scrumptious. Now put a perfectly poached egg on top and admire your creation. Not bad, huh? Ok, go ahead and dig in! I dare you!
If you love savory breakfast and brunch recipes, check out my collection of egg based breakfast recipes. I just know you will love the ham and cheese croissant egg bake if you like these flavors.
Maybe you are looking for something more on the sweet side? How about red, white and blue sourdough waffles or brownie baked oatmeal? What are your favorite brunch dishes?
How do you poach an egg?
I use a egg poaching pan to make it easy. They also make silicone cups just for that purpose.
Either of those options allow you to cook the eggs easily without having to drop them into the pot of water.
Or follow the link to see step by step instructions on how to poach an egg without any extra tools.
Croque Madame Waffles
Ingredients
Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
Waffles
- 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 gruyere cheese shredded
- 18-24 slices shaved ham
- 1 cup gruyere cheese shredded
- 6 eggs poached or fried to your desired doneness
- salt and peper
- chives for serving optional
Instructions
To make the bechamel
- In a small saucepan or skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently. You don't want to brown, just enough to cook off the flour flavor.4 Tablespoons butter, 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- Whisk in the milk a little at a time to ensure you don't have lumps.2 cups whole milk
- Once all of the milk is added, continue to cook and stir until the bechamel is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in Dijon mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
To make the waffles:
- Preheat the waffle maker.
- In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.2 cups all purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Mix in the eggs, milk and melted butter until just combined.2 eggs, 1¾ cups whole milk, ¼ cup butter
- Fold in the ham and cheese.1 cup shaved ham, 1 cup gruyere cheese
- Grease the waffle maker and put about ¾ cup of batter onto the surface. Close and cook until golden brown.
To assemble:
- Put waffles on parchment or silicone mat lined baking tray. Top each waffle with about ⅙ of the bechamel sauce.
- Place 3-4 slices of shaved ham on top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and the bechamel is hot and bubbly.
- Move to serving plate and top with an egg and chopped chives if desired.
Notes
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I am the nana that makes waffles on Wednesday. I’m looking for awesome ways to top them. I think I’ve found my next waffle creation. I will keep you posted.
Yay! What a fun nana to be. I hope they love them!
These waffles look so good and I love poached eggs. I want some!
It is such a fun way to do a savory waffle!
Ummm…. YUM!!!! I"ll be right over!!!! Ok.. maybe I'll just have to make this myself.. Sigh..
Come on my way! I'd happily make some for you!
I put this on my list to make when I first saw it but haven't gotten to it yet. I can't wait to try it.
I hope you love it! Thanks, Wendy!
What a great dish!
It is definitely worth making. Thanks, Sid!
Recipes like this are why I shouldn't read so late at night! It's 10 pm and now I want to go make waffles and create this deliousness! Seriously, Carlee, this looks amazing!
Just make them first thing in the morning! They are sooooo good and really don't take that long to put together!
Oh this sounds amazing!
It really is! 😉 Thank you!
This looks beyond good! I think that's my next brunch dish to make! I might have to sub bacon for the ham (the hubby won't eat ham, grr) but I think that'd probably work ok? What a gorgeous picture too! 🙂
He won't eat ham?! I didn't know that was a thing! 😉 Bacon would be great. Thank you so much, Jessica!
Mmmm – I see a delicious breakfast in my future! I would be honored if you'd stop on over and share this on the What's for Dinner link up!!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-96/
I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Carlee, I love waffles, but would never have thought to have a savoury topping! The toppings compliment each other perfectly and just thinking about it is making me hungry!
xx
Thanks, Debbie! I love these flavors together and it was fun to bring them together on top of a waffle!