Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

4.56 from 876 votes
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🎉🧀 Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders are made with juicy ham and Swiss cheese nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls and are 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!

A ham and cheese slider on a Hawaiian roll.

Best Ever Ham and Cheese Sliders

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 quick, 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, while the base of the sliders has 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 Worcestershire 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.

“I honestly had to make a second batch! The buttery Dijon and poppy seed topping is what sets these apart from every other slider recipe I’ve tried. That combination of sweet Hawaiian rolls, salty ham, and melty Swiss is just chef’s kiss.”

Dev

Ham and Cheese Sliders Ingredients

For these Hawaiian roll ham sliders, you’ll need the following: 

  • Hawaiian sweet rolls: These are my go-to and are 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. If you have leftover Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter honey baked ham, this sliders recipe is a wonderful way to use it! Also, check out my Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe for a fun twist to take that ham off your hands.
  • Swiss cheese: I like to use Swiss cheese on the sliders, but you can of course use your favorite sliced cheese, such as cheddar cheese, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Gouda, and more
  • 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 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. Sprinkle it 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.

Six ham and cheese sliders topped with poppyseeds.

How to Make Baked 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: 

  1. 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. 
  2. Layer the ham and cheese onto the bottom ‘slab’ of rolls, then place the top ‘slab’ back on. 
  3. Whisk together the melted butter, mustard, poppy seeds, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Brush over the top rolls. 
  4. 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. 
  5. Then, cover the dish with foil, and bake the sliders in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted. Remove the foil in the last few minutes of baking, and enjoy warm!

Tip! Prevent soggy bottoms

For crispier roll bases, place the bottom slab cut-side up under the broiler for 1-2 minutes before adding the fillings. Alternatively, bake the sliders in a dark metal pan rather than a glass dish. It conducts heat better and crisps the bottom.

Recipe FAQs

Can ham and cheese sliders be prepared in advance?

Yes. If you want to prepare in advance, 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 up to 24 hours.

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. Add about 5 minutes to the baking time if baking the sliders straight from the fridge.

Can I freeze ham and cheese sliders?

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.

If possible, omit the butter topping. Then, wrap the pan tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, brush on the butter topping, and bake as directed.

Why are these called funeral sandwiches?

Ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls are sometimes nicknamed “funeral sandwiches” because they’ve long been a go-to dish to bring to gatherings after a funeral. They’re easy to make in bulk, travel well, require no utensils, and feed a crowd without much fuss, which makes them just as popular for potlucks, game days, and holidays as they are for somber occasions.

What to Serve with Ham and Cheese Sliders

4.56 from 876 votes

Ham and Cheese Sliders

By Averie Sunshine
🙌🏻🎉 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!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Video

Equipment

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.

Notes

Storage: Sliders are best warm and fresh but extra will keep airtight 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. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slider, Calories: 257cal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 64mg, Sodium: 526mg, Potassium: 133mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 0.5g, Vitamin A: 474IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 272mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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!

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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!

Beer and Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Sliders.

Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom Sliders with Fry Sauce – Meatless comfort food at its finest! Hearty, satisfying, and so good!

Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom Sliders with Fry Sauce.

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. 

A Ranch chicken and Swiss slider.

Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders – Grilled pineapple slices brushed with a soy and ginger marinade add a Hawaiian-inspired twist to these irresistible sandwiches!

A stack of three Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders.

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! 

A BBQ chicken slider.

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! 

A platter or roast beef sliders.

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! 

A baking dish of Hawaiian roll turkey and cheese sliders.

Originally published August 2016, updated April 2019, and republished January 15, 2021. 

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4.56 from 876 votes (723 ratings without comment)

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My family loves these! Even my picky kids are excited when I make these sliders… they’re easy to tailor to your family’s tastes. More/ less mustard or different cheeses, no matter how I change it up it’s always gone.

  2. 5 stars
    This is a 4-star recipe as many of your delicious recipes are. I have made many and have never been disappointed.

  3. 5 stars
    Loved them! Foil stuck to bottom of buns first time I made them so didn’t line pan the next time. Maybe didn’t have enough spray. They are addictive!

  4. 5 stars
    These are always a hit! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us. I usually use Colby-Jack cheese instead of Swiss since my kids don’t really like Swiss. But I think any cheese would work, really!
    I also add some poultry seasoning and sometimes Italian seasoning to the melted butter mixture.
    These sliders are great to make when you don’t have ham but you have cooked a meal in a crockpot and you have leftover meat. It’s a great way to use what you’ve got and it doesn’t feel like leftovers!

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review, Anne, and I am glad to hear that you’ve been making this with what you have on hand (repurposing your slow cooker meat) and that they are a winner!

  5. 5 stars
    We make this over and over in our house for a quick delicious filling meal! I’ve never done the poppy seeds as I don’t keep them on hand, and I always add a bit of garlic powder to the sauce. SO GOOD!

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review, Isabelle, and I am glad to hear these are a standby and on repeat for you!

  6. 5 stars
    This recipe was such a hit at our daughter’s high school graduation! When girls go back multiple times, you know they are good! Thank you!

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review and glad this was a graduation party hit! I have a junior going into senior year and girls can be a tough crowd to impress – but glad this recipe did the trick!

  7. 5 stars
    I have enjoyed preparing and serving many of your recipes. This one will be a Sunday brunch appetizer tomorrow. It looks delicious and easy to prepare.
    I had difficulty in accessing the star rating. Kept getting booted out. Perhaps it is my phone or my lack of tech skills.
    Keep those succulent recipes coming!!!

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad you have been enjoying lots of my recipes! I will have my tech team look at your star ratings comment. Thank you for LMK!

    1. Thanks for the 5 star review and I am glad these were absolutely delicious and that the whole family gobbled them up!