Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
These ham and cheese sliders are the definition of crowd-pleasing comfort food. This is one of those recipes I come back to again and again. Whether for a quick weeknight dinner or a party, they are super easy to make and super satisfying. Sliders are perfect for parties, especially game day, or as an easy sheet pan dinner.
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Table of Contents
Highlights
➤ What it is: Ham and cheese sliders are small baked sandwiches made on soft rolls. You layer ham and cheese, add a seasoned butter topping, and bake until hot and melty.
➤ Why you’ll love it: They feed a group with almost no effort. The rolls stay soft while the tops turn golden, and you can make the pan ahead.
➤ How to make it: Slice the rolls, layer ham and cheese, then pour a buttery topping over the top. Bake covered until hot, then uncover briefly to brown.
Short Summary
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Oven | 350°F |
| Bake Time | 15–20 minutes covered, 5 minutes uncovered |
| Total Time | About 30–35 minutes |
| Yield | 12 sliders (about 6–8 servings) |
| Key Tip | Cover first so the cheese melts before the tops get too brown |
| Best Pan | 9×13-inch baking dish |
| Make Ahead | Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, bake when ready |
| Storage | Refrigerate up to 3 days |
Notes On Key Ingredients
- Rolls: Soft slider rolls or Hawaiian rolls work best for pull-apart sandwiches.
- Ham: Use thin-sliced deli ham so it heats fast and layers neatly.
- Cheese: Swiss melts well and pairs with ham, but cheddar works too.
- Butter: This is the flavor driver. Don’t skimp, and pour it evenly and brush on.
- Mustard: Dijon adds bite. Use yellow mustard if that’s what you have.
- Worcestershire: Adds savory depth to the topping with no extra work.
- Poppy seeds (optional): Classic look and light crunch, but not required.
Variations
- Rolls: sweet Hawaiian, classic dinner rolls or small pretzel rolls.
- Cheese: Monterey Jack, cheddar, baby Swiss, provolone, or mild Gouda.
- Toppings: sesame seeds, a light brush of hot honey, or a pinch of red pepper flakes in the butter mix.
- Mustard: swap Dijon for stone ground or a touch of honey mustard.
Step-by-Step Guide For Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Slice the rolls in half as a slab. Set the bottoms in the baking pan. Layer ham evenly, then add cheese. Put the top slab of rolls on top.
- Melt butter and stir in mustard, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and any optional seasoning. Pour the butter mixture over the tops and brush the mixture all over with a pastry brush.
- Bake covered until hot and melty, then uncover briefly to brown the tops.
- Rest 5 minutes, slice, and serve warm.
Pro Tips
- Cover first. This melts the cheese before the tops overbrown.
- Use thin ham. Thin deli ham heats through evenly.
- Pour the butter slowly. Get the edges and corners. Brush so all sections are coated
- Let them sit 5 minutes. The sliders will slice cleaner and stay stacked.
Troubleshooting
- Tops browning too fast: Keep them covered longer, and shorten the uncovered time.
- Centers not hot: Add 5 minutes covered. Use a thinner ham layer next time.
- Bottoms getting soggy: Don’t let the assembled pan sit at room temp too long.
- Sliders sliding apart: Rest 5 minutes, then cut with a sharp knife in straight down strokes.
Serving Ideas
- Potato chips and pickles
- Simple slaw or a green salad
- Fruit tray for a lighter side
- Soup for a “party but make it dinner” setup
Make Ahead, Hold, and Reheat
Make ahead: Assemble the sliders in the pan, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the butter topping right before baking if you want the bottoms to stay firmer.
Hold warm: After baking, cover loosely with foil and keep in a warm oven (around 200°F) for up to 30 minutes.
Reheat: Cover with foil and warm at 205°F until hot. Avoid high heat or the rolls dry out.
What Pan To Use
- 12 sliders: 9 by 13 inch glass baking dish or a quarter sheet pan.
- 24 sliders: two 9 by 13 inch glass pans or a half sheet pan.
- 36 sliders: a combination of the above sizes or a full-size sheet pan. For multiple pans, place one pan on a top rack and one on the bottom. Rotate halfway through cooking. Or, reserve one pan to bake later to refresh the party tables.
My Nordic Ware sheet pans have lasted decades and are the first pans I grab. They are USA-made aluminum pans that heat evenly, don’t warp, and clean up easily.
- 3-Piece sheet pan set: My go-to trio for wings, sliders, and ribs.
- Sheet pan with non-stick grid: Great for wings and roasts you want to lift off the pan.
- Sheet pan with a lid. A great option for tailgating or potlucks.
FAQs
Can I make sliders ahead?
Yes. Assemble the sliders, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Remove 20-30 minutes before baking. Brush with butter sauce right before baking.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Light butter on the bottom buns, cheese down first, then meat, then cheese again. Go easy on wet spreads. Bake on parchment and rest the tray 5 minutes before slicing so steam escapes.
Best way to reheat or keep warm for a party?
Reheat covered at 300°F until warm, then uncover 3–5 minutes to refresh the tops. To hold, set the tray at 200°F or use a warm slow cooker lined with parchment. Slice and serve in batches so each round stays hot.
Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅜ cup melted butter
- 2 ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 ¼ teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried minced onion
- 12 slider buns (or small dinner rolls)
- ½ pound thinly sliced cooked deli ham
- ½ pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and dried onion.
- Slice the slider buns horizontally. Place the bottom half into the prepared baking dish. Layer about half the ham onto the rolls. Arrange the Swiss cheese over the ham, and top with remaining ham slices in a layer. Place the tops of the rolls onto the sandwiches. Pour the mustard mixture evenly over the rolls.
- Bake until the rolls are lightly browned and the cheese has melted, about 20 minutes. Slice the sliders to make individual sandwiches.
