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Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Wholesome Cove
These Ham and Cheese Sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer — soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls layered with thinly sliced deli ham and melty Swiss cheese, then brushed with a buttery Dijon, Worcestershire, and poppy seed glaze and baked until golden. They come together in under 45 minutes, can be assembled a day ahead, and disappear from the table faster than almost anything else you'll ever make.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 sliders
Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish - Or rimmed baking sheet
  • Serrated bread knife - For slicing the rolls cleanly without crushing them
  • Pastry brush - Silicone recommended for applying butter sauce
  • Small mixing bowl - For mixing the butter sauce
  • Whisk or fork - For combining the butter sauce ingredients
  • Aluminum foil - To cover the dish during the first stage of baking
  • Cutting board
  • Oven mitts

Ingredients
  

For the Sliders

  • 1 package King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls - 12-count package; keep connected, do not separate
  • 12 oz deli ham - 340g; thinly sliced Black Forest or honey ham recommended
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese - About 6 oz / 170g total; ultra-thin slices melt best

For the Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 57g; melted
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Pan

  • non-stick cooking spray - Or unsalted butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack in the middle position. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a small bowl, then whisk in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, poppy seeds, and kosher salt until fully combined. Set aside.
  • Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire connected slab horizontally into one large top half and one large bottom half. Set the top half aside.
  • Place the bottom slab of rolls cut-side up in the prepared baking dish. Layer all the ham evenly across the surface, then top with all the Swiss cheese slices, slightly overlapping. Replace the top slab of rolls.
  • Stir the butter sauce, then use a pastry brush to generously coat the entire top surface of the rolls, working edge to edge. Use all of the sauce.
  • Let the assembled sliders rest for 5-10 minutes to absorb the sauce. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Watch closely to avoid over-browning.
  • Let the sliders cool for 2-3 minutes, then cut between the rolls into individual sliders. Serve immediately from the dish or transfer to a platter.

Notes

  • Make ahead: Assemble the sliders up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate covered. Apply the butter sauce only 10 minutes before baking and add 5 extra minutes to the covered bake time.
  • Keep the rolls connected: Do not pull the rolls apart before slicing. Keeping them as a single slab makes assembly faster and produces even, pull-apart sliders.
  • Grease the pan: Don't skip this step — greasing prevents sticking and lightly crisps the bottom of the rolls.
  • Cheese swap: Provolone, cheddar, Gruyere, mozzarella, or pepper jack all work well. Avoid crumbly cheeses like feta that won't melt properly.
  • Ham options: Black Forest ham adds smoky flavor; honey ham adds sweetness. Thinly sliced leftover baked ham also works beautifully.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze individually wrapped sliders for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Best reheated in the oven at 325°F (163°C) covered with foil for 10-15 minutes, uncovering for the last 3-4 minutes to re-crisp the tops. Air fryer at 325°F for 3-5 minutes also works great.
  • Scaling up: This recipe doubles easily into two 9x13-inch baking dishes. Bake both at the same time on separate racks, rotating halfway through.
  • Add Dijon inside: For extra tang, spread a thin layer of Dijon or honey mustard on the cut surface of the bottom rolls before layering the ham.
  • Don't over-bake: Once the tops are golden and the cheese is visibly melted, remove them immediately — extra bake time dries out the ham and toughens the rolls.

Nutrition

Serving: 1SliderCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 10gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 430mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 6mg
Keyword baked sliders, easy sliders recipe, ham and cheese sliders, Hawaiian roll sliders, party appetizer
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