Ham and Cheese Sliders — 🙌🏻🎉 Baked juicy ham and Swiss cheese nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls and brushed with a buttery Dijon, onion, and poppy seed topping! Fast, EASY, and a party and family FAVORITE! Everyone is going to want THIS recipe!
Table of Contents
Best Ever Hawaiian Roll Sliders Recipe
If you’re in need of an easy comfort-food recipe for game day, holiday parties or events, an after-school snack that everyone loves, or a quickie easy weeknight dinner on busy weeknights, these Hawaiian roll sliders will do the trick.
This recipe features baked juicy ham and Swiss cheese nestled in soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls with a buttery Dijon, onion, and poppy seed topping. Hawaiian bread is one of my all-time favorite kinds of bread, and it’s absolutely perfect for the sliders.
It stays soft and tender in the interior and while the base of the sliders have an ever-so-slight crispiness from the buttery mixture that drips down during baking.
There’s flavor galore from the juicy ham, savory cheese, sharp Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, dried onions, and Worcesteshire sauce.
While eating the sliders, the term ‘butter fingers’ may come to mind. Soft, white, warm bread covered in butter is never a bad thing. As a bonus, your cuticles will be extra moisturized.
Ham and Cheese Sliders Ingredients
For these Hawaiian roll ham sliders, you’ll need the following:
- Hawaiian sweet rolls – They’re my go to and so much better than white dinner rolls or other types of bread or rolls!
- Cooked sliced ham – I like to use sliced ham from the deli counter (honey ham is great or Black Forest) but you can use ham in packets sold in the refrigerated cases, or leftover ham
- Swiss cheese – Wondering if you can use other cheese? See the FAQs below
- Unsalted butter
- Dijon mustard – I love Dijon mustard in this easy sliders recipe, but you can use yellow mustard, spicy mustard, or your favorite mustard
- Poppy seeds – Don’t have them but you do have ‘bagel seasoning’ or ‘everything bu the bagel seasoning’ on hand? Sprinkle a bit of that into the melted butter!
- Dried minced onion or onion powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders
Hawaiian roll ham and cheese sliders are a breeze to make! I’ve given the full set of instructions and ingredient ratios in the recipe card below.
Here’s a look at how the hot ham and cheese sliders are prepared:
- Using a large serrated knife, slice the rolls in half so you have a ‘slab’ of tops and a ‘slab’ of bottoms. Don’t pull the rolls apart and slice individually because you want to keep them connected.
- Layer the ham and cheese onto the bottom ‘slab’ of rolls, then place the top ‘slab’ back on.
- Whisk together the melted butter, mustard, poppy seeds, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Brush over the top rolls.
- Before baking, you MUST let the sliders sit for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature. This gives the butter mixture time to soak into the bread and flavor it.
- Then, bake the sliders in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and serve!
Recipe FAQs
I like to use Swiss cheese on the sliders but you can of course use your favorite sliced cheese such as cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Monterrey Jack, Pepper Jack, gouda, and more.
Yes! Don’t omit the poppyseeds in the sauce. They cling to the tops of the rolls and add even more texture. It’s a subtle crunch, but it makes a difference. If you don’t have them, in a pinch, some Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (which has poppy seeds) can work. Add a bit to the melted butter.
Yes, up to a point. You can cut the rolls into slabs, then layer on the ham and Swiss cheese, and complete the assembly process. Then, cover the pan tightly with foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to add the butter mixture and bake off the sandwiches. Personally, these are so fast to prepare that I always just do it in one fell swoop but if you need to prep in advance, that’s my suggestion.
If making the hot ham and cheese sliders in advance, wait to brush on the butter mixture until you’re ready to bake them off. Otherwise the rolls will become soggy.
Sliders are best warm and fresh but extras will keep in airtight container or in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheating them gently in the microwave is what I do, about 30 seconds, or as necessary.
Technically yes, but with sliders recipes like this I recommend enjoying them fresh from the oven. However, if your options are to toss the sliders or try freezing them, I say freeze them. I imagine you’d want to reheat them from frozen in a hot oven. You may wish to brush a little more of the butter mixture on top if they start to look at all dry.
Although you could technically use regular slider rolls to make this easy recipe, I highly recommend using sweet Hawaiian rolls if at all possible. Hawaiian rolls are soft, buttery, and slightly sweet. They pair perfect with the melted Swiss cheese and salty deli ham!
I also think the sweet Hawaiian rolls pair well with the sweet and salty honey mustard sauce that’s drizzled over top. The combination of textures and flavors is what makes these sliders so good!
You’ll want to cover the baking dish with foil before baking. Bake for 20 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.
What to Serve with Ham and Cheese Sliders
This easy sliders recipe can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as an entree.
other great dips and appetizers
If serving the sliders as a main, try pairing it with one of the following:
sides and salads
Pin This Recipe
Enjoy AverieCooks.com Without Ads! 🆕
Go Ad Free
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 rolls), sliced in half (see directions for more details)
- ¾ pound cooked deli ham, thinly sliced
- ¾ pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 2 teaspoons Worcesteshire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- Using a large serrated knife, slice the rolls in half so you have a ‘slab’ of tops and a ‘slab’ of bottoms; don’t pull the rolls apart and slice individually because you want to keep them connected.
- Place the bottom ‘slab’ of rolls in prepared pan.
- Evenly layer about half of the ham over the rolls.
- Evenly layer the cheese.
- Evenly layer the remaining ham.
- Add the top ‘slab’ of rolls; set aside.
- To a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.
- Add the mustard, poppy seeds, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Evenly and slowly pour the butter mixture over the rolls. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the tops. Some of the mixture will pool at the base of the rolls.
- Cover with aluminum foil and allow rolls to stand at room temp for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Bake covered for about 20 minutes or until cheese has melted.
- Uncover and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until as done as desired. Baking time will vary based on the size of pan used, climate and oven variances, etc. Bake until as done as desired; watch to make sure they don’t burn since all ovens and ingredients vary.
- Slice into individual sliders and serve immediately. Sliders are best warm and fresh.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
More Party Sliders Recipes:
Pepperoni Pizza Sliders — Pizza by way of supremely cheesy sliders!! EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for parties because everyone LOVES them! Totally IRRESISTIBLE!!
Beer and Bourbon BBQ Chicken Sliders — Chicken is cooked with beer and bourbon before being soaked in bbq sauce! So juicy, flavorful, easy, and ready in 25 minutes!
Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom Sliders with Fry Sauce – Meatless comfort food at its finest! Hearty, satisfying and so good!
Ranch Chicken and Swiss Sliders — Tender chicken is coasted in tangy ranch dressing and topped with Swiss cheese. It’s all nestled in soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls with a buttery Dijon, onion, and poppy seed topping.
Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders – Grilled pineapple slices brushed with a soy and ginger marinade add a Hawaiian-inspired twist to these irresistible sandwiches!
BBQ Chicken Sliders — These FAST and EASY sliders are made with shredded chicken, smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, sandwiched between soft Hawaiian rolls with cheese, and baked until warm!
Roast Beef Sliders — Tender roast beef is mixed with sauteed green peppers and onions, piled into soft Hawaiian rolls, topped with Provolone cheese, and brushed with butter and garlic before baking!
Hawaiian Roll Turkey and Cheese Sliders — Juicy turkey, Swiss cheese, and cranberry sauce all nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls that are brushed with butter and topped with poppy seeds for the BEST turkey sliders!
Originally published August 2016, updated April 2019, and republished January 15, 2021.
I want to make this for dinner tonight. What side dishes would you do with this?
Really anything you feel like…maybe a nice salad!
I made these this morning for my ladies Christmas tea at my church. Goodness, they were delicious! Thank you for an easy recipe that could bake while I was getting ready. ?
Thanks for trying the recipe and I’m glad it came out great for you!
Wow, this is my go to place from now on.
Great, thanks!
Beautiful photos! I’d like to do a turkey/cheddar option in addition to ham/swiss for a party this weekend. Do you think I can use the exact same recipe just substituting the meat and cheese? Sorry, I’m vegetarian so I have no idea if the “sauce” would be good for this alternative combo! Thanks!
I think what you said would be fine and I also have a veg option! https://www.averiecooks.com/2016/09/ranch-chicken-swiss-sliders.html The chicken is Morningstar!
These are delicious! I grew up in Charleston, SC, and down south we make a very similar version using sweet rolls. What a great party appetizer! Thanks for the recipe. I love your site!
Thanks for the compliments and glad you love these!
We love these little vittles! I’m wanting to make them for a potluck this weekend. Our church is doing service at the park. I have to be there early to set up so I need something easy. Do you think I could bake them the day before and put them in the crock pot to “reheat them” on low during our church service and then serve them?
Hmm, tough call as food like this is really best right out of the oven. I think people’s expectations after a service are lower and they wouldn’t be expecting piping hot food. My fear is that the crockpot could over heat them and actually start ‘toasting’ the bread and/or never gets hot enough to heat them through in the middle. I would do a test batch at home and see how it goes before bringing to an event.
Saw a similar recipe in a Cook’s Country’s magazine a few years ago. I bookmarked that back then and got involved. Glad I ran into this post. Now I have to make these. Thanks for the reminder.
I know what I’m making for Friday dinner…Thanks! I would love for each person who makes your recipes to have the opportunity to post pictures…
I made this last night for dinner. Yummy! My family loved the sliders. I did not add the poppyseed, but instead I added sautéed onions and then baked. I also used Gouda cheese instead of swiss (my family doe not like swiss).
Thanks, Averie!
Btw, do you know how I add a photo to my name?
Sounds wonderful!
https://en.gravatar.com/
I love Hawaiian rolls and this sounds perfect for football season coming up!
I make these with provolone instead of swiss, and if I’m feeling especially decadent, spread cream cheese on the top “slab” of the rolls before putting it on the meat and cheese. So yummy!!
That sounds great! Decadent is always a good thing!
Hey girl this looks so yummy!
Well am I glad I subscribed to your recipe mailing list! These popped into my inbox and I’ve been hungry for them ever since! Sadly there are only 3 of us in my house so a whole pan of 12 sadly won’t be happening any time soon, but I can definitely see these being made for a lazy Sunday lunch. All that cheese and the glaze on top, they look sooooooo good!
You can always half the recipe or just make the full recipe and then you have leftovers for lunches the next few days. Glad you’re on the email list and enjoying the recipes!
I could totally go for an entire pan of these beauties right now! Love how simple and delicious these look- so perfect for any occasion!
Yes simple and delicious are the keys for me :)
These sound like heaven!! Mel would LOVE them!
I think it’s perfect football/tailgating/holiday party food – a hit with everyone!
Oh my gosh these look awesome. I have a recipe for ham and cheese sliders with a caraway seed and garlic butter. Still haven’t put that one on the blog yet….but now I’ve got to try this!! My family loves sliders :)
Your recipe sounds really close to these and sounds great! Caraway/garlic vs. poppy/dried onion, but the concept is the same. Everyone loves sliders I think!
These look pretty amazing (and cute too)! Ham and swiss is so good together but using hawaiian rolls and that luscious butter sauce takes them over the top! Perfect for parties too.
Hawaiian rolls, I think that’s the best bread on the planet :) and yes this was definitely a luscious butter sauce!