Inspired by the classic French croque madame, these toastie cups turn the same rich flavors into an easy muffin tin breakfast. Each cup has a buttery toast base, savory ham, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and a baked egg in the center.
Serve them for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or a special weekend meal. They look impressive, but the recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together with easy steps.
This recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or a special weekend meal. It looks impressive, but it uses simple ingredients and comes together with easy steps.For another quick egg breakfast with a soft, buttery texture, try this French Omelette. It is simple, classic, and ready in just a few minutes.
Table of contents
- What Is a Croque Madame?
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love These Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- Ingredients for Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- How to Make Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- Expert Tips for Perfect Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- How to Keep the Egg Yolk Soft
- Storage and Reheating
- Croque Madame vs Croque Monsieur
- Variations
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- What To Serve With Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- FAQs
- More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
What Is a Croque Madame?
A Croque Madame is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich topped with a fried or baked egg. It is usually made with bread, ham, cheese, and a creamy béchamel-style sauce. These Croque Madame Toastie Cups turn the same flavors into easy muffin tin breakfast cups.
Why This Recipe Works
Flattening the bread helps it fit neatly into the muffin tin without cracking. Pre-baking the bread cups for a few minutes keeps the base crisp, while the creamy cheese sauce adds the classic Croque Madame flavor. Adding the egg last helps the whites set gently while the yolk stays soft and rich.
Why You’ll Love These Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- Made in a muffin tin for easy individual servings.
- Creamy, cheesy, and rich with a soft baked egg.
- Great for brunch, breakfast, or holidays.
- Uses simple ingredients like bread, eggs, ham, milk, and cheese.
- A fun twist on classic croque madame.
Ingredients for Croque Madame Toastie Cups
The Béchamel Cheese Sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups milk (300 ml), full-fat works best
- 1/3 cup grated Gruyere cheese, cheddar, or tasty cheese (35 g), plus extra for topping
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Toast Cups
- 6 large slices fresh white bread
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, salted or unsalted
- 6 large eggs
- 3 oz leg ham, chopped (100 g)
- Extra grated cheese, for topping
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Freshly ground nutmeg
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Bread
Fresh white sandwich bread works best because it is soft and easy to press into the muffin tin. Avoid dry bread because it can crack when shaped.
Eggs
If you love easy breakfast recipes with eggs and bread, this Bread Omelette Recipe is another savory option made in one pan with cheese, vegetables, and toast.
Ham
Leg ham gives a classic croque madame flavor. You can also use turkey ham, cooked bacon, or leftover roasted chicken.
Cheese
Gruyere is the classic choice, but cheddar, Swiss cheese, or another good melting cheese also works. For a smoother melt, grate the cheese yourself when possible instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Gruyere, cheddar, fontina, and mozzarella are all good melting cheeses. See this guide to the best melting cheeses.
Milk
Full-fat milk gives the sauce the creamiest texture. Low-fat milk can be used, but the sauce will be slightly lighter.
Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard adds the classic French-style flavor. Use a small amount so it does not overpower the sauce.
Nutmeg
Freshly ground nutmeg gives warmth to the cheese sauce. Use a light amount because the flavor is strong.
How to Make Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- Preheat the oven.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 6-cup muffin tin well with butter or nonstick spray. - Prepare the bread.
Cut the crusts off the white bread slices. Gently flatten each slice with a rolling pin or your hands. - Shape the toast cups.
Brush each bread slice with melted butter. Press each slice into a muffin cup to form a bread cup. Bake for about 5 minutes to lightly set the shape.
- Make the cheese sauce.
Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for about 1 minute.For another cheesy baked bread recipe, try this Cheesy Oven Baked Egg Toast. It has crisp edges, melted cheese, and a soft eggy center. - Add the milk.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. - Add flavor.
Stir in grated cheese, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until creamy, then remove from the heat.
- Fill the toast cups.
Add chopped ham into each bread cup. Spoon a little cheese sauce over the ham. - Add the eggs.
Crack 1 egg into each toast cup. Add extra grated cheese on top. - Bake.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bread edges are lightly golden and the egg whites are set. If you prefer fully cooked eggs, bake until the eggs reach 160°F (71°C). For more guidance, see FoodSafety.gov’s safe minimum internal temperature chart. - Garnish and serve.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a little freshly ground nutmeg. Serve warm.
Expert Tips for Perfect Croque Madame Toastie Cups
- Use soft fresh bread so it presses easily into the muffin tin.
- For best results, grease the muffin tin well so the toast cups release easily.
- Also, pre-bake the bread cups for a few minutes to help them hold their shape.
- Whisk the milk in slowly so the cheese sauce stays smooth.
- However, do not overfill the cups before adding the egg.
- If your muffin cups are small, use large eggs but remove a little egg white first.
- Bake just until the whites are set if you want a soft yolk.
- After baking, let the cups rest for 2 minutes before removing them from the tin.
How to Keep the Egg Yolk Soft
For a soft yolk, bake the toastie cups just until the egg whites are set and the yolk still has a slight jiggle. Start checking around 15 minutes. For fully cooked yolks, bake a few minutes longer. Let the cups rest for 2 minutes before removing them from the tin because the eggs will continue to set slightly from the heat.
Storage and Reheating
Croque Madame Toastie Cups are best served fresh and warm.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through.
Avoid microwaving for too long because the bread can become soft and the eggs can overcook.
Freezing is not recommended because the egg and sauce can change texture after thawing.
Croque Madame vs Croque Monsieur
The main difference between Croque Madame and Croque Monsieur is the egg. A Croque Monsieur is a French ham and cheese sandwich with creamy sauce and melted cheese. A Croque Madame has the same base, but it is finished with an egg on top. These toastie cups use baked eggs to keep the classic Croque Madame idea in an easy muffin tin version.
Variations
Cheddar Croque Madame Toastie Cups
Use cheddar cheese instead of Gruyere for a stronger, classic melted cheese flavor.
Turkey Ham Toastie Cups
Replace the ham with turkey ham for a lighter version.
Bacon Egg Toastie Cups
Use cooked chopped bacon instead of ham for a smoky breakfast flavor.
Spinach Cheese Toastie Cups
Add a small amount of cooked spinach with the ham before adding the egg.
Vegetarian Toastie Cups
Skip the ham and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted peppers.
Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 6-cup muffin tin well.
- Cut the crusts off the bread slices and gently flatten each slice.
- Brush the bread with melted butter, then press each slice into a muffin cup.
- Bake the bread cups for 5 minutes to help them hold their shape.
- Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking until smooth.
- Cook until the sauce thickens, then stir in cheese, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
- Add chopped ham into each bread cup.
- Spoon a little cheese sauce over the ham.
- Crack 1 egg into each cup.
- Sprinkle extra grated cheese on top.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the egg whites are set and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with parsley and a little nutmeg. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use fresh soft bread so it presses easily into the muffin tin.
- If your eggs are large, remove a little egg white before adding them to the cups.
- Bake longer if you prefer firm egg yolks.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Using bread slices that are too thick and hard to shape.
- Not flattening the bread before pressing it into the muffin tin.
- Adding too much sauce, which can make the toastie cups soggy.
- Overfilling the cups with ham and cheese.
- Baking the eggs too long, so the yolks become fully firm.
- Removing the toastie cups from the muffin tin while they are still too hot.
What To Serve With Croque Madame Toastie Cups
Serve Croque Madame Toastie Cups with a fresh green salad, fruit salad, roasted tomatoes, avocado slices, hash browns, or simple breakfast potatoes.
They also work well for brunch with orange juice, coffee, tea, or a light smoothie. For a creamy fruit drink, serve them with this Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
FAQs
Croque Madame Toastie Cups are muffin tin breakfast cups inspired by the French croque madame sandwich. They are made with bread, ham, cheese sauce, cheese, and baked eggs.
You can make the cheese sauce ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best texture, assemble and bake the toast cups right before serving.
Yes. Gruyere is classic, but cheddar, Swiss cheese, or another melting cheese works well.
Use large bread slices and do not overfill the cups with ham and sauce. If your eggs are very large, remove a little egg white before adding the egg.
Yes. You can leave out the ham or replace it with spinach, mushrooms, roasted peppers, or cooked bacon.
They are ready when the bread edges are lightly golden, the cheese is melted, and the egg whites are set. Bake a little longer if you prefer firm yolks.
A Croque Monsieur is a French ham and cheese sandwich with cheese sauce, while a Croque Madame includes an egg on top. These toastie cups use baked eggs for an easy brunch version.
Yes. A muffin tin helps shape the bread into small cups and keeps the ham, cheese sauce, and egg in place while baking.
More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
