A food content creator has shared a creative twist on the classic croque monsieur - and it's a real game-changer for cheese toasties08:17, 08 Jul 2026Cheese toasties are a speedy and filling meal that can satisfy even the hungriest of appetites. If you're keen to take things up a level and add a bit of elegance to your toastie, you might instinctively reach for the traditional French croque monsieur.‌Yet, one food content creator believes he's found an even better protein to substitute for ham - combining the French classic with the punchy flavours you'd normally encounter in a traditional bagel. TikTok creator Ben Rebuck has been adding Jewish-influenced spins to popular dishes.‌In a clip from April, he totally transformed the conventional croque monsieur, replacing ham with a beloved seafood option.‌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."Instead of following the conventional recipe, Ben substitutes ham with an essential bagel ingredient: smoked salmon. And naturally, a hefty dollop of zesty schmear.‌In the clip, Ben said: "Well, this is a croque lox. And you'll definitely want to make this one."He insists that salmon is a vastly superior replacement for the smoky ham usually featured in a croque monsieur. To enhance the flavour even more, Ben prepared a New York-style cream cheese schmear as a foundation for the salmon.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌It's fundamentally a fusion of a classic French dish and the bold tastes of a bagel. To introduce a wonderfully gooey sharpness, Ben smothers the sarnie in a Hollandaise-béchamel sauce combination.He continued: "To say this works is an understatement. It was sweet, salty, creamy, fatty. It truly had everything."Ben's footage has already accumulated over 55,700 views, together with 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."Therefore, if you're seeking an inventive twist on your next midday cheese toastie, here's the method to replicate Ben's recipe in your own home.‌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 and black pepper‌MethodMix the cream cheese with red onion, dill, chives, lemon zest, lemon juice and black pepper. Put to one side.Melt butter in a pan, add flour and cook out for one to two minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and slightly loose.‌Take off the heat, then whisk in the egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Keep warm.Assemble the sandwich. Spread the schmear liberally onto the challah. Layer with smoked salmon and close the sandwich.Butter the exterior 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 your preferred cheese and place under the grill to finish. Optional: additional dill, a squeeze of lemon, and black pepper.Serve and savour.