Delicious French Dip Squares are a fun, handheld twist on the classic French dip sandwich. Made with layers of buttery crescent dough, savory roast beef, melty cheese, and a flavorful au jus dipping sauce on the side, these golden-baked squares are perfect for parties, game days, or cozy family dinners. I love how easy they are to assemble and how crowd-pleasing they always turn out.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it transforms a restaurant-style favorite into a simple, shareable dish that I can make at home. The layers of soft, flaky dough with gooey cheese and warm roast beef are irresistible. I get all the rich, comforting flavors of a French dip, but without having to build individual sandwiches. The au jus is quick to make and ties everything together.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Crescent roll dough (2 cans)
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Deli-style roast beef, thinly sliced
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Provolone or Swiss cheese slices
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Butter, melted
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Garlic powder
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Dried parsley (optional for garnish)
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Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, optional for browning)
For the au jus dipping sauce:
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Beef broth
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Worcestershire sauce
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Soy sauce (optional for depth)
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Garlic, minced
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Onion powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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I roll out one can of crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the dish, sealing any seams.
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I layer the roast beef evenly over the dough, then place the cheese slices on top.
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I roll out the second crescent dough sheet and lay it over the top, again pressing the seams to seal.
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I brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley (and a light egg wash if I want it extra golden).
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I bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and puffed.
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While it bakes, I make the au jus by simmering beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and seasonings in a small saucepan for about 5–7 minutes.
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Once the squares are baked, I let them rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving with warm au jus on the side.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves 6–8.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Variations
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Cheese swap: I’ve made it with mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix of cheeses for different flavors.
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Add onions: I sauté some onions and layer them with the roast beef for extra richness.
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Spicy version: I add a little horseradish or spread Dijon mustard on the bottom dough before layering.
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Mini version: I cut the dough into smaller pieces and assemble mini French dip bites for parties.
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Make it buttery: I mix Italian seasoning into the melted butter before brushing it on top for added flavor.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover squares in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. The microwave works too, but the crust stays crispier in the oven. I store the au jus separately and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Yes, I’ve used puff pastry for a flakier, more delicate texture. I just make sure to thaw it first and adjust baking time as needed.
What’s the best roast beef to use?
I usually go with deli-style roast beef, sliced thin. If I have leftover homemade roast beef, I slice it up and use that too.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I assemble it a few hours ahead and store it in the fridge. I bake it fresh right before serving so the crust stays crisp.
Can I freeze French dip squares?
Yes, I freeze the baked and cooled squares in an airtight container. When I want to serve them, I reheat in the oven until warmed through.
What’s a good side to serve with these?
I like serving them with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or even some seasoned fries for a classic combo.
Conclusion
Delicious French Dip Squares are everything I love about the classic sandwich—cheesy, meaty, and full of flavor—baked into an easy, shareable dish. Whether I’m feeding a hungry group or looking for something cozy for dinner, these always hit the mark. With buttery layers, gooey cheese, and that savory dipping sauce, they’re comfort food perfection.
PrintDelicious French Dip Squares
Delicious French Dip Squares are a handheld twist on the classic sandwich, made with crescent roll dough layered with roast beef and melty cheese, baked to golden perfection, and served with a savory au jus dipping sauce. Perfect for parties, dinners, or game day snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 cans crescent roll dough
- 1 lb deli-style roast beef, thinly sliced
- 8–10 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley (optional)
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp water, for egg wash (optional)
- For the au jus dipping sauce:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp soy sauce (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Roll out one can of crescent dough and press into the bottom of the dish, sealing seams.
- Layer roast beef evenly over the dough, then top with cheese slices.
- Roll out the second can of crescent dough and lay over the top, sealing seams.
- Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley, and optionally brush with egg wash.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Meanwhile, make the au jus: simmer beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (if using), garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper for 5–7 minutes.
- Let baked squares cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving with warm au jus.
Notes
- Swap in mozzarella or cheddar for different flavor profiles.
- Add sautéed onions between layers for extra richness.
- Spread Dijon mustard or horseradish on dough for a spicy kick.
- Use puff pastry instead of crescent dough for a flakier crust.
- Top with Italian-seasoned butter for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
