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 substituted ham w/ turkey and Swiss w/ sharp because that’s what we had and they still turned out great!!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad the turkey and sharp cheese worked great!
These were sooooo yummy! I think the Hawaiian style rolls really make this recipe. I used thin shaved ham-off-the-bone from the deli. Just two of us so I prepared as directed but only baked half in the toaster oven. Foil-wrapped and froze the other half. Can’t wait to bake them again! P.S. Had a couple leftover from baking and they were just as good the next day after a quick warming in the microwave!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad you loved them!
Yummy!!!! Family loves them…gone in minutes!
Glad they were a hit!
Glad they were a hit and gone in minutes!
Hi, this easy recipe looks so amazing. Besides Dijon mustard, what else would you recommend? Thanks, Tess
Really nothing else since I only make them as written and have not branched out trying them without mustard.
I am not a huge fan of Dijon either,but I like honey Dijon or regular Honey mustard might work well.
Just made this for lunch for Father’s Day and everyone LOVED it!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad everyone loved it!
Made these as a Father’s Day treat for my husband — he said they were even better than he thought they’d be!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad these were a hit!
The BEST
Thanks for the 5 star rating and glad you think they’re the best!
Hi! We are planning on making these this Sunday for my children’s baptism. As we have to rush home from church with food “ready to go”, do you think assembling the morning of (or even night before) and popping in the oven on “keep warm” (About 170 degrees) but covered would work or would it ruin them? We have guests who have to catch a flight soon after so unfortunately adding in the 20 minutes to cook is almost too tight. But I really want to make them and not just serve cold cuts!!!! :)
Wow, that’s a pickle…if 20 minutes is too tight, you have really got a tight schedule.
Honestly I would just make them as close to before church as you can, cover with foil to keep warm, and then just serve at room temp when you’re back from church. I think keeping them in a low oven that whole time, probably 2 hours give or take with traffic, church, etc would overcook them a lot.
Worst case, if they’re not to your liking at room temp, you can microwave them for 15 secs if someone really needs it.
have made this many many times very tasty and easy to prepare …btw are you single … i need a cooking partner in life….
Glad you like the recipe.
I am all set thanks.
Make these with ham or turkey combined with Swiss, provolone, or white American cheese, because of different tastes in my family. ALL are delicious!!!
Glad you are loving these and all the various combos!
I’ve made these before and they’re delicious, but I plan on prepping them a few hours early before baking them this time. Is it okay to mix up the sauce early and refrigerate it as well or does it need to be mixed up right before baking?
If it’s just a few hours, I would just keep it on the counter personally. If you put it in the fridge the butter will solidify again and you’d have to start over anyway. Glad you love these!
Thank you for your recipes. I made the Ham and Cheese sliders for a party. They were a big hit. The mustard-poppy dressing spot on. I was asked by several guests where I found the recipe. I altered the recipe, only increasing the Kings Hawaiin bread from the 12 pack to the 24. Keeping it together. But found the cheese did not melt in the middle very well perhaps due to the increased size? I used foil and baked 20 or so and my outside edges golden. I might try again with this but break the loaf.
Sometimes yes if you’re using a big ‘slab’ of rolls, the interior cheese doesn’t melt as well due to such a large surface area. Probably better to make a couple batches of 12 rather than one 24. Glad they were a big hit!
I can’t wait to make these for a party!
They are ALWAYS a hit! :)
YUM! These sliders look so delicious ♥
Thank you!
This is one of my family’s favorites, great for football season or showers. I’d like to double the recipe and freeze a batch; do you think they would freeze okay?
Not sure…in theory there are lots of ‘frozen breakfast sandwiches’ on the market that are premade and you just reheat. But something about this recipe seems like it would be at its peak fresh; but as long as you know that going in, I’d give it a try. Or just freeze a couple sliders and see what happens.
Hey! I need to make these for a party tomorrow, but will need to cook them in the oven in the morning. should i wait to add the sauce right before i cook them or go ahead and pour it on now?
I would wait until about 10 minutes before you bake them to add the sauce.
I love how you cook your food look sooooooo good your the best