Description
These mini croque monsieur turnovers are a delightful twist on the classic French sandwich, featuring a creamy mustard béchamel sauce, smoked ham, and melted Gruyère cheese encased in flaky puff pastry. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer, they are golden, crispy, and bubbling with cheesy goodness, making an ideal appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Béchamel Sauce
- 15g butter
- 15g plain flour
- 180ml milk
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 60g Gruyère cheese, grated (divided: 40g for sauce, 20g for filling)
Turnovers
- 320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
- 80g wafer-thin smoked ham, torn
- 1 egg, beaten (or 1 tbsp milk for brushing)
Instructions
- Make the Béchamel Sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the plain flour and cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns light brown. Gradually add the milk, a splash at a time, whisking well after each addition until the mixture is smooth. Once all the milk is incorporated, bring the sauce to a simmer while whisking continuously. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in the Dijon mustard and 40g of the grated Gruyère cheese. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Unroll the sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry, keeping it on its baking parchment. Cut the pastry into 12 squares, each measuring approximately 8cm. Rotate each square 90 degrees to form a diamond shape.
- Assemble the Turnovers: Spoon about 2 teaspoons of the cooled béchamel sauce down the center of each pastry diamond. Top with some torn smoked ham and a sprinkle of the remaining 20g Gruyère cheese. Fold one edge of the diamond over the filling, brush the edge with beaten egg or milk, then fold over the opposite edge to seal the turnover.
- Brush and Season: Brush the entire outside of each turnover with the beaten egg (or milk) to help them brown nicely. Grind some black pepper on top for added flavor.
- Cook in the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F). Place the turnovers in batches inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the pastry is puffed, golden brown, and the cheese is bubbling.
- Serve and Store: Serve the turnovers warm. If any are left over, allow them to cool completely, then store chilled in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, air fry at 120°C for a few minutes until warmed through.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Gruyère for the best melting and flavor.
- Be sure not to overfill the turnovers to prevent leaking during cooking.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these can be baked in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 12-15 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Brush the edges with egg wash to ensure a good seal and a beautiful glossy finish.
- Turnovers can be made ahead, refrigerated, and cooked fresh when needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: croque monsieur, turnovers, puff pastry, béchamel sauce, Gruyère, smoked ham, air fryer, French snack, appetizer
