🎉🧀 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!
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.
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:
- 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, 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
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.
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.
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
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Video
Equipment
- 1 Medium Microwave-Safe Bowl
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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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.
What kind of ham is best to use for these?
Whatever kind looks good to you from the deli counter.
Averie, I have to say, my friend Joni and I loved these. Easy to make and delish. I’m not a big fan of sweet rolls, I used Winco rolls. The same but not sweet. I ate two and was full. Thank you for this receipe. Tom PS they reheated very well.
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad they were a hit!
Is it going to be way too salty if I use salted butter?
I would definitely then skip the salt. It will be salty but I don’t think ridiculously so.
These were so easy and delicious! I made them for a brunch. Everyone loved them! I was concerned that they would be soggy after pouring on the butter/mustard sauce, but I was totally wrong. They were aoooo yummy!!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad everyone loved them!
I am looking for recipes to make ahead and freeze. Has anyone frozen these to serve later? If so how did they turn out and do you have any tips on preparing and freezing? Thanks!
Oh my goodness, I can’t think of anything that sounds better right now, MASSIVELY craving a couple of these!
I really enjoy your recipes. I made these a few months ago, and everyone ate them (without picking apart or taking anything out of them). I have a ton of Easter ham left, so this is my go to recipe for tonight. Thank you.
Thanks for the five star review and glad this will come in handy with your extra Easter ham!
I served these for Easter Brunch 3 years now. I make a double batch and they are all gone in minutes. Easy to prepare ahead, then just pop in oven. I will try with Turkey and provolone this year for those who don’t eat ham.
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad these are on your Easter menu for the past 3 years! Turkey and provolone sounds great too.
I have made the sliders 4 or 5 times. They are so good! Everybody loves them!
I have a party this weekend and on request, I will be making them again.
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad that you make these often and that they’re a hit!
Thinking about making these for a baby shower this weekend. How are they at room temperature – after baking of course?
Fine, anything up to about an hour or so after baking is fine. People will understand, it’s a shower, and some things just will not be ‘piping hot’ for the duration of the shower.
I love this recipe. I have made it several times and it’s always a hit. However, the amount of cheese it calls for is insane. It makes the layer of cheese way too thick which doesn’t melt, just softens, and it’s just too much. I have doubled the recipe and still used half the amount of cheese called for in the original recipe (which would be 1/4 lb in the original recipe) and it’s been perfect.
No one else has ever mentioned they think there is too much cheese. In my book that’s never a problem but to each their own and I am glad you found what works for you and are enjoying the sliders.
The trick is to put your cheese on each side of the ham so that the ham is in the middle and the cheese is touching the bread creating melty, ooey gooey goodness!🤤
No, I followed the recipe exact and did put the cheese on both sides of the ham. It’s way too much…and i love cheese. I cut the amount in half the next time I made it and it was perfect.
Made this for my parents 40th wedding anniversary. Huge hit!
Thanks for the five star review and I’m glad this was a big hit!
Gruyere and gouda, red onion and deli mustard. Delicious yet messy. Even great the next morning with an added egg. Has anyone tried putting the butter mixture on the underside of the top loaf to cut down on the messy?
Thanks for the five star review and I’m glad you enjoyed this! I think it’s one of those recipes that you just definitely need to embrace the messiness LOL
Yes! I soften the butter and slather the insides of the rolls. Same great flavor, a tad less messy.
These were so easy to make and they were a big hit for the football game!
Thanks for the five star review and glad they were a hit!
These are the easiest and tastiest crowd-pleasing party food I’ve ever made!
Thanks for the five star review and glad these are a party favorite!
Always a favorite. My go to dish. I even made it once with turkey and provolone because I didn’t have ham, and it was equally as delicious. Two thumbs up.
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad it’s your go-to!