Transform your basic cheese toastie into an indulgent croque monsieur by swapping ham for another nutrient-packed protein07:09, 06 Jun 2026Cheese toasties are a quick and satisfying meal that can curb even the most ravenous appetite. If you're looking to elevate things a notch and give your toastie a touch of sophistication, you might naturally turn to the classic French croque monsieur.‌However, one food content creator reckons he's discovered an even superior protein to use in place of ham — merging the French favourite with the bold flavours you'd typically find in a classic bagel.‌TikTok creator Ben Rebuck has been putting Jewish-inspired twists on much-loved dishes. In a video from April, he completely reinvented the traditional croque monsieur, swapping out ham for a much-loved seafood alternative.‌Ben wrote in the video's caption: "This is what happens when a bagel order meets a French café and zero flying f's are given. But all jokes aside, this slaps so hard."Rather than sticking to the traditional recipe, Ben replaces ham with a quintessential bagel staple: smoked salmon. And, of course, a generous dollop of tangy schmear.‌In the video, Ben said: "Well, this is a croque lox. And you'll definitely want to make this one."He maintains that salmon is a far superior swap for the smoky ham typically found in a croque monsieur. To amplify the flavour further, Ben whipped up a New York-style cream cheese schmear as a base for the salmon.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌It's essentially a marriage of a timeless French classic and the punchy flavours of a bagel. To add a gloriously molten tang, Ben coats the sandwich in a Hollandaise-béchamel sauce hybrid.He continued: "To say this works is an understatement. It was sweet, salty, creamy, fatty. It truly had everything."Ben's clip has already racked up more than 55,700 views, alongside 4,246 likes and 65 comments. Lexi said: "Smoked salmon is absolutely the right replacement for ham."‌Another user wrote, "Absolutely tremendous, can I take two," while Rosa agreed, "This looks absolutely delicious."Teddy added: "Bro that bread is next level."So if you're after a creative spin on your next lunchtime cheese toastie, here's how to recreate Ben's recipe in your own kitchen.‌Croque LoxIngredientsFour thick slices challah150–200g smoked salmon (lox)Butter, for fryingFor the schmear mix‌150g cream cheese½ small red onion, finely dicedOne tbsp fresh dill, choppedOne tbsp fresh chives, choppedZest of ½ lemonOne tsp lemon juiceBlack pepperFor the Hollandaise bechamel25g butter25g plain flour250ml milkOne egg yolkJuice of ½ lemonOne tsp Dijon mustardSalt & black pepper‌MethodCombine the cream cheese with red onion, dill, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice and black pepper. Set aside.Melt butter in a pan, add flour and cook out for one to two minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth and slightly loose.‌Remove from the heat, then whisk in the egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Keep warm.Build the sandwich. Spread the schmear generously onto the challah. Layer with smoked salmon and close the sandwich.Butter the outside of the bread and fry on a medium heat until golden and crisp on both sides. Spoon over the warm schmollandaise and allow it to drip slightly.Article continues belowGrate cheese of choice and finish under the grill. Optional: extra dill, squeeze of lemon, black pepper. Serve and enjoy.