My keto croque monsieur is crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. It is a tasty lunch or snack that is ready in 20 minutes!
![A keto croque monsieur sliced diagonally and filled with ham and cheese.](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/keto-hot-pockets-croque-monsieur.jpg)
I was thinking for a while about what to call this recipe: Keto Hot Pockets or Keto Croque Monsieur.
To be honest, it is a mixture of the two. It is a hot pocket that is filled like a French Croque Monsieur.
And oh boy, it is delicious. Plus, it is perfectly keto AND nut-free!
Before we get started, let me quickly explain what a Croque Monsieur is. Basically, it is a posh French ham and cheese sandwich made with brioche-like bread that is either fried or baked.
Of course, I am not using brioche or any other wheat-based bread here. This would contain way too many carbs. Instead, I am using a simple fathead dough.
This keto hot pocket recipe is one of my go-to lunch staples. Sometimes I vary the fillings, but most of the time I make it exactly as written!
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Ingredients
You only need 5 ingredients to make this recipe:
DOUGH: Grated mozzarella, sunflower seed flour.
You need grated mozzarella cheese (must be firm and yellow, not the soft white mozzarella for salads) and sunflower seed flour. When baked, this mix turns into a crispy bread - it's so good.
I use almond flour in many recipes, but this time wanted to try something different because I know many of you have tree nut allergies and are looking for alternatives. I simply grind sunflower seeds in a food processor and make the flour at home.
You can also add ยผ teaspoon of baking powder to make the dough more puffy.
FILLING: Ham, cheese, mustard.
Croque Monsieur is filled with cooked ham and Emmental or Gruyere cheese. I used Gruyere. Or, add any hard cheese such as cheddar, Monterey Jack or Comte.
Some Croque Monsieur recipes call for bรฉchamel sauce, others use mustard. I chose Dijon. I feel that adding bรฉchamel would be too fatty, considering we're already using a LOT of cheese.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Let me show you how to make a keto Croque Monsieur. Here are the basic steps. Scroll down to the recipe card for a detailed method, ingredient amounts and nutrition information.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย melted mozzarella in a glass bowl and a spatula](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-hot-pockets-mozzarella.jpg)
1.) Place the mozzarella in a heat proof bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir and heat for a further 20 - 30 seconds until fully melted. Careful not to burn.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย mozzarella and sesame seed dough in a glass bowl](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-hot-pocket-dough.jpg)
2.) Add the sunflower seed or sesame seed flour and mix with a spatula to combine into a ball. If the dough gets too cold at any point, simply warm it up again in the microwave.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย dough rolled out between 2 sheets of parchment and a rolling pin](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-hot-pockets-rolled-out-dough.jpg)
3.) Roll the dough between two sheets of greaseproof paper or a silicone mat and a sheet of greaseproof into an oblong shape.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย rolled out dough topped with ham, cheese and mustard](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-croque-monsieur-filling.jpg)
4.) Place the ham in the centre and top with cheese and mustard.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย unbaked hot pocket](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keot-croque-monsieur-folded.jpg)
5.) Fold the edges of the dough over to form a closed pocket. Turn the pocket over so the seal is at the bottom. Piece two tiny air holes in the top with a sharp knife. Not too big or the cheese will escape! Bake in the oven for around 12-15 minutes until golden on top.
Katrin's Top Tips
If you use thin ham, roll it up instead of placing it flat onto the dough. This way your pockets end up thicker and fluffier.
You can also use grated cheese instead of cheese slices. This is what I did when I made the recipe the second time around.
Dough Variations
Sesame Flour: I have tested this recipe with both sunflower seed and sesame seed flour. To me, both seed flours tasted equally nice. The nutritional profile is also similar.
Sunflower seeds taste nuttier than the sesame seeds. The sesame seed version comes up looking more like white bread - see the image below.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย baked low carb croque monsieur on baking paper](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-hot-pockets-croque.jpg)
Here, I also changed the shape of the hot pocket so it looks more like a proper croque. I folded the dough the other way around, sealed the edges by folding the dough over and ended up with more of a square.
Almond Flour: Of course, you can also use almond flour in this recipe - simply use the same amount.
Coconut Flour: Try 2.5 tablespoons of coconut flour. (Not tested, but this is the amount I would go for).
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย unbaked Keto calzone](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-hot-pockets-empanadas.jpg)
Change the shape: Halve the dough, roll it out into 2 oblong shapes and fold these in half, twisting the edges together. Voila - a calzone! Find plenty of filling ideas in my keto calzone post.
![These nut free Keto hot pockets are crispy on the outside and filled with melted cheese and ham. They're my low carb take on the classic French Croque Monsieur, using a simple fathead dough. Ready in 20 minutes!ย crispy keto calzone baked](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/keto-hot-pockets-empanada-baked.jpg)
Croque Filling Ideas
- Top with a fried egg - Croque Madame
- Add tomato - Croque Provenรงal
- Replace the ham with smoked salmon - Croque Norvรฉgien
- Add keto bolognese - Croque Bolognese
- With tomato salsa - Croque Seรฑor
Serving Suggestion
I like to serve my keto hot pockets with a crisp green salad - this way, they make a great brunch or quick lunch.
They taste great with a Dijon mayonnaise. For this, stir together 1 tablespoon of keto mayonnaise and ยฝ teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven or an air fryer for 5-7 minutes @ 200C / 400F. This way, the hot pockets can crisp up again and will taste much better than if you heated them in the microwave.
I haven't tried to freeze this recipe yet, but I think it would freeze well, for up to 3 months. After defrosting, heat them in the oven so they can puff up.
More Keto Sandwich Bread
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
![Keto hot pockets sliced diagonally and arranged on a bed of spinach leaves.](https://sugarfreelondoner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/keto-hot-pockets-croque-monsieur-1200-300x300.jpg)
Keto Croque Monsieur - Low Carb Hot Pockets
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
DOUGH
- ยพ cup / 85g grated mozzarella
- ยฝ cup / 50g sunflower seed flour or sesame seed flour
FILLING
- 60 g good quality ham
- 50 g Gruyere cheese or cheddar, sliced or grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 355F / 180C / 160 fan.
- Place the mozzarella in a heat proof bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir and heat for a further 20 - 30 seconds until fully melted. Careful not to burn.
- Add the sunflower seed flour (or sesame seed flour) and mix with a spatula to combine into a ball. You may need to use your hands and knead a bit too. If the dough gets too cold at any point simply pop back in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm.
- Roll the dough between two sheets of greaseproof paper or a silicone mat and a sheet of grease-proof. Roll into an oblong shape.
- Place the ham in the centre and top with cheese and mustard.
- Fold the edges of the dough over to form a pocket. Turn the pocket over so the seal is at the bottom.
- Piece two tiny air holes in the top with a sharp knife. Not too big or the cheese will escape!
- Place the greaseproof paper with the hot pocket onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for around 12 - 15 minutes or until golden on top.
- Slice in half and enjoy. Option to serve with mustard mayonnaise or a nice fresh salad.
Joanna Bethia Johnson
Thank you so much for the great recipe. My husband has a tree nut allergy and its so hard to find alternatives to almond flour on Keto without being so high in carbs. Thanks again!!! Love your site.
Clare Allan
So looking forward to making these and experimenting with your miracle dough! One question: I donโt have a microwave. Could you advise me on melting the mozzarella without one? Thanks
Katrin Nรผrnberger
Of course! When I did not have a microwave, I melted the mozzarella in a small non stick pan over a low heat.
Clare Allan
Oh perfect. Thank you!
Monika Majsnerska
How delicious! Being keto for almost 8 months I crave sometimes Gregg's baked pastries. And this is SO similar. I made it already twice, with different fillings. Question: if I use sesame seeds powder shall I use less thank sesame seeds flour?
Katrin Nรผrnberger
I normally powder the sesame seeds myself, in a food processor. This means they are a little coarser than sesame seed flour and I use a little more. Hope this helps ๐
Monika Majsnerska
Thank you
Georgina
Just made this and it was Delicious
Arti
Can I use grated cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella? If so, what are the measurements please? Thank you.
Katrin Nรผrnberger
I think that cheddar is much more liquid when melted, so you might have trouble shaping the dough. Try half and half maybe
Linda S
My new naughty pleasure. I've been making different variations of this recipe 3 times this week already!
Priya Dogra
I fell in love with this recipe. I think it couldn't have been better at my part. I am gonna make it again soon. I really recommend it to give it a try to enjoy with the family.
Silvia
Can you make these ahead to eat a day or two after
Katrin
I haven't tried, but I think that's possible. They do flatten out though when the melted cheese inside hardens. I'd reheat them in the oven to fluff them up again.
CAROL DEUTENBERG
OMG! Thank you. My son and I are celiac (gluten free) and we fell in love with Jimmy Deans meat lover then I saw where they use wheat flour ugh! I will be making these and freezing them. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Katrin
That's great! Keep me posted and let me know how you like these ๐
Patti
looks great!! If I use almond flour is it still 50 grams?
Thank you!!
Katrin
Hi Patti, yes, I'd use the same amount.