There’s a certain charm in recipes that use familiar ingredients to create something remarkably inviting. Here, slices of baguette are soaked until tender, layered with bright strawberry jam, and sealed together before taking a quick dip in an egg mixture. A final coat of breadcrumbs ensures that once they hit the oil, each piece fries to a beautiful golden crisp.
Inside, the jam turns warm and slightly molten, offering a playful contrast to the crunchy exterior. Served hot and dusted with sugar, it can be easily enjoyed at a lazy Sunday brunch or during teatime.
What is Fried Bread with Jam?
This dish is popular across various cultures under different playful guises. Examples include Italian pane fritto, Spanish torrijas, or even the deep-fried jam butties beloved in parts of the UK. This recipe is the snack of improvisers and pantry raiders, historically born from the clever instinct not to waste stale bread.
In fact, frying leftover bread in milk and egg goes back centuries, and using sweet jam fillings is simply the cherry on top.
Pro Tips for the Best Crispy Jam Sandwiches
- Pressing the sides of your little jam sandwich firmly before dipping it into the egg helps keep the jam from escaping.
- Dip the bread just long enough to absorb flavor and moisture, but not so long that it becomes soggy and fragile. A quick soak ensures a tender inside with a crisp crust.
- Once coated in breadcrumbs, let the sandwiches sit for a few minutes. This helps the coating set and cling better, giving you a crunchier finish.
- Skip paper towels if you can and place the fried sandwiches on a rack to keep them from going soggy underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of jam?
Absolutely. Raspberry, apricot, blueberry, even marmalade works fine, just use whatever tickles your fancy. Nutella or peanut butter also takes this to a scandalously delicious level.
What bread works best?
A sturdy baguette or rustic loaf is ideal. Sandwich bread is fine too, just don’t soak it too long.
Is this the same as Monte Cristo?
Not quite. Monte Cristo sandwiches usually include ham and cheese, dipped in batter and fried. This is simpler and purely sweet.
How to Store Fried Jam Sandwiches
These are at their best fresh and hot, because that crispy texture fades after a few hours. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. Reheat in a toaster oven or on a dry pan to revive some of the crunch. Also, freezing is not recommended, and thawing tends to make them soggy.
Ingredients
How to Make Fried Bread Jam Sandwiches
Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Dip slices of bread briefly into the milk, ensuring they soak up enough to become tender but not mushy.
Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Dip slices of bread briefly into the milk, ensuring they soak up enough to become tender but not mushy.
Spread a generous layer of strawberry jam on a slice and cover with another slice.
Spread a generous layer of strawberry jam on a slice and cover with another slice.
Break two eggs in another bowl, add milk, and mix until smooth.
Break two eggs in another bowl, add milk, and mix until smooth.
Dip each jam sandwich into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they stick.
Dip each jam sandwich into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they stick.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides.
While still warm, dust with a sprinkle of sugar if you like that extra sweetness and serve immediately.
While still warm, dust with a sprinkle of sugar if you like that extra sweetness and serve immediately.
;Resize,width=767;)
