Moons Over My Hammy (Denny’s Copycat Breakfast Recipe)
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The Moons Over My Hammy at Denny’s is an irresistible breakfast sandwich that’s easy to make at home. Golden, buttery toast stacked high with layers of warm ham, creamy melted cheese, and soft scrambled eggs that spill out with every bite. The sourdough turns crisp and deeply toasted while the cheese melts into the ham, creating that rich, savory middle every diner sandwich dreams of. It’s warm, indulgent, and gloriously satisfying… the kind of breakfast sandwich that makes you slow down and savor every bite.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS MOONS OVER HAMMY SANDWICH
- Classic diner comfort food at home
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Buttery, crisp bread with melty cheese
- Loaded with eggs and ham
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner
Moons Over My Hammy
If you’ve ever eaten at Denny’s late at night, you probably know exactly what this sandwich is.
Moons Over My Hammy has been one of those iconic diner orders forever. It’s simple… just eggs, ham, cheese, and toast. But somehow it hits every comfort food note at once.
Chad and I have always loved recreating restaurant favorites at home, and this one was a no-brainer.
It’s fast, it’s hearty, and it tastes just like the diner version when you get the toast perfectly golden and the cheese melted into the ham.
Sometimes the best recipes aren’t complicated. They’re just really good sandwiches.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Sourdough Bread: Adds structure and flavor while holding up to the fillings.
- American Cheese: Melts into the eggs for that creamy, nostalgic texture.
- Swiss Cheese: Pairs beautifully with the ham and adds that classic diner flavor.
- Thin Sliced Ham: Heats quickly and layers perfectly in the Moons Over Hammy sandwich.
- Salted Butter: Creates that irresistible golden crust on the bread.
VARIATIONS
Double Cheese: Add extra Swiss for a richer sandwich.
Bacon Version: Swap the ham for crispy strips of bacon.
Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
Richer Flavor: Whisk a little milk or cream into the eggs before scrambling.
Add a Spread: Smooth a thin layer of mayonnaise on the inside of the bread slices for moisture.
Breakfast Melt: Layer sautéed onions or mushrooms between the eggs and ham.
Texas Toast Style: Use thick slices of Texas Toast instead of sourdough.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Add crispy hash browns and fresh fruit on the side.
- Serve with hot coffee or orange juice.
- Pair a Moon Over My Hammy with pancakes or waffles.
- Cook several at once on a griddle for brunch crowds.
MOON OVER MY HAMMY FAQ
The Denny’s breakfast sandwich was inspired by the 1930s jazz song, made famous in the film “Moon Over Miami.” The eggs were originally served sunny side up (resembling two moons) before they were changed to scrambled.
Moon Over Miami –> eggs over ham –> moons over my hammy. Get it?
It’ll work in a pinch, but sourdough crisps better and is sturdy enough to hold up under the layers of ham, eggs, and cheese.
Make sure to use thin slices for the fastest melt. Once the bread is toasted, you can pop a lid over the pan to help the cheese melt faster.
Denny’s Moons Over My Hammy has the best texture when served fresh, but you can wrap leftovers in foil and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven.
The key to a great diner sandwich is timing, and the Denny’s Moons Over My Hammy is no different.
Bread should toast slowly in butter so it becomes deeply golden without burning, while the cheese melts just enough to bind everything together.
Cooking the eggs gently over medium-low heat keeps them soft and creamy instead of dry.
Once the sandwich comes together, that warm egg layer acts almost like a sauce, bringing the whole thing together.
It’s a simple technique… but it makes a big difference.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Cook the eggs low and slow for the softest texture.
- Use real butter for the best toast.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet, or the bread won’t turn golden.
- Toast the bread evenly on both sides so the sandwich doesn’t get soggy.
- Let the cheese melt fully before assembling Moons Over My Hammy.
- Serve immediately while it’s still hot.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Large Skillet or Griddle: For melting the cheese onto the toasted bread.
- Nonstick Skillet: To scramble the eggs.
- Silicone Spatula: Gently stirring while scrambling.
- Mixing Bowl: For whisking the eggs.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Denny’s diner classic at home
- Eggs, ham, and melty cheese on buttery toast
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Perfect breakfast sandwich
- Great for brunch or breakfast-for-dinner
- Nostalgic comfort food
- Easy restaurant copycat
Moons Over My Hammy (Denny’s Copycat Breakfast Recipe)
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons salted butter, softened and divided
- 8 large eggs
- 8 slices sourdough bread or artisan bread
- 4 slices Swiss cheese, (about 4 ounces)
- 4 slices American cheese, (about 4 ounces)
- 16 slices thin deli ham, (about 8 ounces)
Instructions
- COOK EGGS: Melt 1 of the 5 tablespoons salted butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. In a bowl, whisk 8 large eggs until well combined. Pour eggs into the skillet and cook over medium-low heat, gently stirring with a silicone spatula to bring cooked eggs from the edges toward the center. Cook until the eggs are softly scrambled and no liquid egg remains, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- BUTTER BREAD: Spread the remaining 4 tablespoons salted butter evenly over one side of each of the 8 slices sourdough bread.
- TOAST BREAD: Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the bread slices buttered side down in the skillet.
- ADD CHEESE AND HAM: On 4 slices of the 8 slices sourdough bread or artisan bread, place 1 slice of the 4 slices Swiss cheese and top each with 4 of the 16 slices thin deli ham. On the remaining 4 slices of bread, place 1 slice American cheese.
- MELT AND TOAST: Cook the bread until golden brown and toasted, about 2 to 3 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the ham warmed through.
- ADD EGGS: Divide the scrambled eggs evenly among the slices topped with 4 slices American cheese.
- ASSEMBLE SANDWICHES: Place the ham and Swiss halves on top of the egg halves to form 4 sandwiches. Serve with the eggs on top and the ham on the bottom, just like the diner classic.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2022, updated and republished April 2026
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Welcome!
We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
I’ve tried several of your breakfast recipes, and they’ve all been amazing. This one is my favorite by far!
To get the real Moons Over My Hammy taste, you need to use Kraft Singles Swiss and Kraft Singles American Cheese. Real Swiss will “sweat” too much and makes the sandwich too runny. The Swiss should be on the ham side and the American on the egg side.
Looks tasty!
Donna and Chad always deliver fantastic recipes, and this one is no exception. Moons Over My Hammy is a breakfast favorite, and Donna’s copycat version is simply delicious!
Hi Madison!!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
I’m a huge fan of The Slow Roasted Italian, and Donna’s Moons Over My Hammy recipe was a breeze to make. It tastes just like the one from the restaurant. Kudos, Donna!
Hi David!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn