Classic croque-monsieur in the Ninja Crispi

A Ninja Crispi croque-monsieur requires one decisive step so it doesn’t end in disaster. The appliance’s airflow is very strong: without taking precautions, the top slice of bread will fly away. I always prepare this recipe in the 3.8 L container to cook two portions together.

The first time, the top bread slice ended up stuck under the PowerPod. Since then, I simply pin my sandwiches with a wooden toothpick. This technique stabilizes the filling during the Air Fry mode and keeps the structure intact from the first minute to the last.

Classic croque-monsieur in the Ninja Crispi

Recipe by Marion LundCourse: Main courseCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

people

Prep

5

minutes

Cook

12

minutes

Total time

17

minutes

A simple method for making golden, crispy croque-monsieur using a wooden toothpick to hold the bread in place under the powerful airflow.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of sandwich bread

• 2 slices of ham

• 4 slices of melted cheese or Gruyère

• 20 g of softened butter

• Wooden toothpicks

Instructions

• Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread. This thin layer of fat ensures a crispy exterior when in contact with the heat. Be careful to spread the butter right to the edges of the slice.
• On the non-buttered side of two slices, place a slice of cheese, a folded slice of ham, and a second slice of cheese. Close with the remaining bread slices, making sure the buttered side is facing the outside of the sandwich.
• Place the crisper plate at the bottom of the 3.8 L container. Carefully place the croque-monsieur on the plate. Insert a wooden toothpick into the centre of each sandwich to prevent the top slice from moving under the airflow.
• Position the adapter on the 3.8 L container, then install the PowerPod. Select the Air Fry mode, 12 minutes (or 10 depending on your preference), then press START. The top of the bread will begin to take on a beautiful brown colour.
• Lift the PowerPod when there are 4 minutes of cooking left (if you set 12 minutes, act when 4 minutes remain on the display). Gently remove the toothpick and turn the croque-monsieur over using silicone tongs. Replace the PowerPod and press START to finish cooking. Both sides will be golden and the cheese inside will be perfectly melted.

Béchamel version

Add a thin layer of béchamel under the top cheese slice to give the sandwich a very creamy centre. Be careful not to overload the centre so the sauce doesn’t spill onto the crisper plate.

The right container and adapting to different models

I systematically use the 3.8 L container to cook two croque-monsieur simultaneously. The interior space offers good visibility of the ingredients and makes it easier to handle them with tongs. The 1.4 L container works perfectly well, but it limits production to one portion at a time, which requires a little more patience if you are eating as a group.

Settings by model:

• Crispi: Air Fry, 10 to 12 minutes in the 3.8 L container with the adapter, turned over when 4 minutes remain. In the 1.4 L container, one croque at a time, 12 minutes.
• Crispi Pro and Pro 5 modes: I start from Air Fry at 200 °C, 8 to 10 minutes, watching the browning through the glass in the final minutes.
• DualZone: Air Fry at 200 °C, 10 to 12 minutes per 3.8 L container; pull the container out in the final minutes to check the browning.

Securing the filling and checking the browning

The power of the hot airflow poses a real challenge for light foods like sandwich bread. The most common mistake is placing the sandwich as is on the plate. The immediate consequence: the top slice is sucked up and sticks under the PowerPod.

Securing the croque with a small wooden toothpick definitively solves this problem. Monitoring the browning is very convenient through the glass of the container. As soon as the top reaches a beautiful amber colour, it is time to intervene to ensure the crunch is uniform across the entire dish.

I lift the PowerPod, remove the toothpick and turn the sandwich over with silicone tongs. This simple mid-cooking manipulation ensures the underside of the bread is just as crunchy as the top.

Weekly prep and reheating without drying out

A good hot sandwich requires a crisp crust and a molten centre, qualities that are quickly lost in the fridge. Croque-monsieur are much better eaten immediately after being taken out of the container. I therefore avoid preparing them too far in advance for dinner.

If you have leftovers from dinner, let them cool completely on a rack before placing them in an airtight container. The next day, reheat them in Recrisp mode, crisper plate in place, for 5 to 12 minutes, until piping hot in the middle. This specific programme removes surface moisture with great efficiency.

This quick pass under the heat restores the texture of the buttered bread. The cheese regains its flexibility without hardening the ham tucked inside the crumb.

Which cheese do you prefer to tuck into your croque-monsieur?

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the 1.4 L container?

Yes, one croque-monsieur at a time: Air Fry for 12 minutes, turned over when 4 minutes remain.

Do I really need to butter the bread?

Butter helps the exterior achieve a beautiful golden colour. You can also spray a little olive oil on the outside if you run out of butter in the fridge.

How do I reheat a pre-cooked croque-monsieur?

Use the Recrisp mode, crisper plate in place, for 5 to 12 minutes, until piping hot in the middle. The Crispi Pro has a Recrisp mode too.

Can I freeze croque-monsieur before cooking?

Assemble the sandwiches with the ham and cheese, then place them in a freezer bag. Thaw them in the fridge the day before, then butter the outer sides and cook as above.