This post is sponsored in conjunction with #BrunchWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #Brunchweek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
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 brunch style twist on the classic French Sandwich.
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 Cabot 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 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!
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!

Cheddar Croque Madame Waffles
Ingredients
- 4 T butter
- 4 T flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 T Dijon mustard
- 2 cups flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup shaved ham, diced
- 1 cup Cabot Vermont White Cheddar, shredded
- 18-24 slices shaved ham
- 1 cup Cabot Vermont White Cheddar, 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 4 Tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 4 Tablespoons of flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently. You don't want to brown, just enough to cook off the flour flavor.
Whisk in the milk a little at a time to ensure you don't have lumps. 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 with salt and pepper.To make the waffles:
Preheat the waffle maker.
In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in the eggs, milk and melted 1/4 cup of butter until just combined. Fold in the ham and cheese.
Grease the waffle maker and put about 3/4 cup of batter onto the surface. Close and cook until golden brown. To assemble:
Top a waffle with about 1/6 of the bechamel sauce.
Place 3-4 slices of shaved ham on top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Place on oven safe pan and 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.
Serve immediately
In a small saucepan or skillet, melt 4 Tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 4 Tablespoons of flour and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring frequently. You don't want to brown, just enough to cook off the flour flavor.
Whisk in the milk a little at a time to ensure you don't have lumps. 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 with salt and pepper.To make the waffles:
Preheat the waffle maker.
In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cups of flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in the eggs, milk and melted 1/4 cup of butter until just combined. Fold in the ham and cheese.
Grease the waffle maker and put about 3/4 cup of batter onto the surface. Close and cook until golden brown. To assemble:
Top a waffle with about 1/6 of the bechamel sauce.
Place 3-4 slices of shaved ham on top and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Place on oven safe pan and 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.
Serve immediately
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 6 wafflesIf you are looking for more great brunch ideas, there is always the savory Parmesan and polenta brunch bowl. 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?
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!
ReplyDeletexx
Thanks, Debbie! I love these flavors together and it was fun to bring them together on top of a waffle!
DeleteMmmm - 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!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-96/
I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThis 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! :-)
ReplyDeleteHe won't eat ham?! I didn't know that was a thing! ;-) Bacon would be great. Thank you so much, Jessica!
DeleteOh this sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! ;-) Thank you!
DeleteRecipes 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!
ReplyDeleteJust make them first thing in the morning! They are sooooo good and really don't take that long to put together!
DeleteThis would be a wonderful brunch dish! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
Thanks, Miz Helen!
DeleteWhat a great dish, and now I want some. Thanks for stopping by and linking it to First Monday Favorites.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely worth making. Thanks, Sid!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it! Thanks, Wendy!
DeleteUmmm.... YUM!!!! I"ll be right over!!!! Ok.. maybe I'll just have to make this myself.. Sigh.. thanks for sharing at our Brunch week LInk up @ Celebrate 365 Blog Party
ReplyDeleteCome on my way! I'd happily make some for you!
DeleteThese waffles look so good and I love poached eggs. I want some!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a fun way to do a savory waffle!
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