Ham and Cheese Sliders

Name: Ham and Cheese Sliders
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted (85g)); 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard ((31g)); 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons dried minced onion; 1 teaspoon poppy seeds; 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls; 12 slices thinly sliced Deli ham ((6 ounces/172g total)); 6 slices thinly sliced Swiss cheese ((2 ounces/65g total))

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Ham and Cheese Sliders with melty Swiss cheese are a crowd-favorite for all ages. Perfect for appetizers, snacking, tailgating, or just because, these buttery mini sandwiches are incredibly simple and quick! What makes this recipe so easy is that all 12 sliders are built at the same time. Just halve the entire slab of Hawaiian rolls and layer thinly sliced deli ham and Swiss cheese in the middle.

Half the fun of serving and eating these Hawaiian ham and cheese sliders is the buttery exterior that coats the rolls. Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried minced onions, and poppy seeds are combined with melted butter and then poured on the rolls before baking. The butter mixture adds flavor to every bite and helps the rolls become golden brown. For more easy appetizers, try my bruschetta recipe, stuffed mushrooms, or buffalo chicken dip.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients needed to make ham and cheese sliders.

Dijon Mustard – dijon blends smoothly into the butter mixture and adds a mild mustard flavor to the sliders. Use classic yellow mustard or spicy mustard if you prefer.

Poppy Seeds – the poppy seeds contrast with the light golden brown color of the rolls and give the sandwiches a sophisticated appearance and a light crunch.

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – one 12-count package of sweet Hawaiian rolls is needed for this recipe, but you can easily double or even triple this recipe by scaling all the ingredients. The Hawaiian rolls are slightly sweet and stay moist and fluffy when baked.

Ham – thinly sliced deli ham is ideal for this recipe, but you can also thinly slice leftover ham from a holiday meal if have leftovers. Honey baked ham would also work well for this recipe.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders

Set of two photos showing melted butter, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce whisked together in a bowl and Hawaiian sweet rolls sliced in half.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and poppy seeds; set aside.

2. Cut the rolls in half crosswise through the center. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.

Set of two photos showing deli ham and swiss cheese layered over the half the bread in a baking dish.

3. Place half of the ham slices in an even layer over the rolls, overlapping as needed. Place the cheese slices in an even layer on the ham.

4. Top the cheese with the remaining ham slices.

Set of two photos showing the sliders topped off with the top half of the bread and brushed with the butter mixture.

5. Place the top half of the rolls on the ham.

6. Pour the mustard mixture over the tops of the rolls and brush to evenly coat the top of the rolls. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Uncover and continue baking until golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Cut between each roll to make individual sliders and serve warm.

Overhead view of ham and cheese sliders before being sliced on a parchment lined serving board.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

Try other meat and cheese combinations. If you don’t have ham and Swiss cheese, this recipe works with any cold-cut deli meat and many different cheeses. Try turkey with pepper jack cheese or smoked honey chicken with sharp cheddar cheese. You can also do one layer of ham and one layer of turkey.
Leave the rolls connected. Assembly is a breeze if you slice the entire slab of rolls in half while leaving the rolls connected. This also helps the bread to stay soft and not become too dry while baking.
Make this recipe with Thanksgiving leftovers. You can make this recipe with leftover dinner rolls and sliced honey ham, roast turkey, or even roast beef. Add even more flavor by spreading leftover cranberry sauce onto the cut sides of the bread.
Let the butter mixture sit on the rolls for a few minutes before baking. After spreading the butter mixture on the rolls, allow it to sit for a few minutes before baking for the softest sandwiches. The melted butter mixture helps keep them moist while baking and gives the rolls bake up golden brown.
Optional variation: use different mustard. If you like a little heat, use hot mustard instead of the Dijon, or add sliced jalapeno peppers between the cheese and ham when assembling. Sweet honey mustard is also a great option. You can also serve these with hot sauce, red pepper jelly, or hot honey for some extra spice.
Optional variation: omit the poppy seeds. You can omit or substitute the poppy seeds in this easy recipe if you don’t have them or prefer not to use them. If you still want some color and texture on top of the rolls, you can use white or black sesame seeds or red pepper flakes in place of the poppy seeds or sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top of the cooked sliders.

A plate with a ham and cheese slider with an iced drink and more sliders in the back.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sliders are best served warm, so reheat them in the oven, in the toaster oven, or in the microwave. To freeze, wrap the baked ham and Swiss sliders in plastic wrap and then seal them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight and reheat in the oven.

What do I serve with this?

Hot ham and cheese sandwiches are an easy meal when served with potato chips, pickle spears, and a side of fruit salad. This recipe works well as an appetizer when served with other finger foods and is always a hit for game day. Or, serve these at the kid’s table for a holiday meal with baked mac and cheese or sweet potato fries.

Can you make this ahead of time?

This recipe is great for prepping ahead of time and also freezes well. Assemble the sliders up to a day ahead of time, covering the pan tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerating up until baking. You can also make the sliders up to 2 months ahead of time and freeze. Use a disposable foil pan and assemble, bake, and cool the sandwiches according to the recipe. Wrap the entire pan tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or until the meat is warm and the cheese is melted.