Ham and Cheese Sliders are my favorite Hawaiian roll sliders. I make them all the time and there’s NEVER any leftovers!
I first had Ham and Cheese Sliders at a baby shower about 10 years ago. I wanted to steal the pan, take them to a vacant bedroom and devour the whole tray.
The hostess said the recipe ran in her family for years as I snapped a pic of the handwritten note card on my phone. Turns out, Ham and Cheese Sliders aren’t that secret.
What are Hawaiian Sliders?
These sliders sandwiches will for sure go down in history, but who gets the credit is a bit of debate. I found it very hard to find a full background so I had to piece it together.
They go by several names, but the most popular are Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders, Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Baked Ham and Cheese sliders, King’s Hawaiian Sliders, Ham and Swiss and just Hawaiian Ham.
They are a fusion of the popular hot ham sandwich Croque Monsieur (a buttery French grilled cheese) and American cold ham sandwich. Toss in famous King’s Hawaiian Slider Rolls and all the sudden they were now also Hawaiian.
I did find some information that eluded to the fact that the ham used to be SPAM, which would indeed, make them decidedly more Polynesian.
Hawaiian Roll Ham Sliders
If you aren’t familiar, the most popular brand is King’s Hawaiian Bread. They come in a bright orange package most commonly seen on end caps at the the grocery store.
These rolls are soft, fluffy, buttery and have a touch of honey which provides the unique flavor to other types of bread. They can be easily cut horizontally while still intact, making them perfect for building baked ham sliders.
Other brands make sweet rolls and regular slider cut rolls will also work perfectly fine, but these complement the flavors of ham and Dijon dressing so well.
What you’ll need for Ham Sliders
The Meat
Ham is clearly the star ingredients, but what type of ham gives your sliders personality. I like to play on the honey flavors of the bread, so honey ham straight from the deli is my first choice. I try to get it thinly sliced and then layer it on thick.
Baked, brown sugar or even boiled ham are all acceptable choices.
As is swapping out the meat for sliced turkey, chicken or roast beef. Even bacon strips are a fun addition. If you are feeling totally experimental, make it into a club and use a combo!
The Cheese
They are commonly just called ham and cheese sliders, but the majority of recipes use Swiss cheese. I used Swiss cheese and white cheddar. Again, thinly sliced will give you the best meltability.
Vary this by using sharp cheddar, Jarlsberg, provolone or even a spicy pepper jack.
Dijon Butter Topping
Aw, the topping. This is really what makes these decadent and the perfect party appetizer or snack. These sandwiches are drenched in melted butter dotted with Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.
Soaking into the bread, this transform a fairly plain sandwich into lick-your-fingers good.
Some folks don’t care for poppy seeds and they are optional. Swap them out for sesame seeds or just omit altogether.
Other variations are minced dried onion or onion powder, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and dried parsley.
Can I leave off the butter topping? Sure! They won’t have as much flavor, but they will still be good. The butter topping is really what elevates this recipes from the others.
You can also add more toppings to the actual sandwich; caramelized onions, roast garlic, bread and butter pickles and roast tomatoes are also fabulous flavor combos.
How to make Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prep a 9×13 pan by coating lightly with cooking spray.
2. Place all 12 Hawaiian rolls onto a cutting board and using a serrated knife, slice in half while keeping the tops and bottoms intact. It should be like one large sandwich.
3. Place the bottom layer of rolls in a 9×13 pan and then evenly layer the Swiss cheese on first, the the ham and finally the white American cheese.
4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Place in the microwave until the butter has melted, approximately 40 seconds.
5. Baste the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls, trying to get as much on top as you can, it might pool at the bottom and that is fine, the bread will absorb its goodness.
6. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
7. Remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake until tops are slightly browned and cheese has melted.
8. Remove, cut the rolls into 12 individual sliders. Serve them hot or at room temperature.
Can I make them ahead of time?
You can assemble the actual sandwich and mix the butter topping, but I would wait to cover in butter and bake until ready to serve.
Ham Sliders Recipe storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Leftover ham and cheese sliders can be reheated in the oven wrapped in aluminum foil at 300°F for about 10 minutes or in the microwave, although microwaving can make the bread rubbery so I strongly suggest using the oven.
Or you can be like my husband and just eat them cold.
Can I reheat them? You can reheat anything, but it rarely tastes as good as it did fresh. Microwave or a quick jaunt in the oven at 350 degrees wrapped in aluminum foil will do the trick.
To be honest… you probably won’t have any leftovers!
Can I freeze ham and cheese sliders? I don’t recommend freezing these as a sandwich. They will most likely thaw being a soggy.
What goes with Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders?
Well, I guess you need to ask yourself if you are serving these as an appetizer with other munchies or for the entree of a brunch or lunch.
If serving as an appetizer, I suggest pairing it with:
If serving as an entree, pair with these easy dinner ideas:
Ham Sliders Recipe FAQs
Too much butter will make your sliders soggy. Getting the correct volume of butter to soak into the rolls gives them the butter effect without making them soggy. Also make sure to brown without the aluminum so some of the liquid has the chance to evaporate out.
I plan for 2 sliders per person, but they are really good and some folks will eat more. Know your audience!
You can wrap them in foil and place them in a slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting.
Ham pairs well with nearly all cheese, but the best flavor affinities are mozzarella, Swiss, gruyere, Havarti, American and cheddar.
More easy slider recipes:
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Pizza Sliders
Big Mac Sliders
Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian Slider Rolls
- 1/2 pound honey ham , thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound Swiss cheese , thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound white American cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place all 12 Hawaiian rolls onto a surface suitable for cutting. Using a serrated knife, slice in half while keeping the tops and bottoms intact. It should be like one large sandwich.
- Place the bottom layer of rolls in a 9×13 pan.
- Evenly layer the Swiss cheese on first, the the ham and finally the white American cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine the butter, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Place in the microwave until the butter has melted, approximately 40 seconds.
- Baste over the tops of the rolls, trying to get as much on top as you can.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake until tops are slightly browned and cheese has melted.
- Remove, cut the rolls into 12 individual sliders and serve hot.
- If you've tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how it went in the comments or ratings.
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These are very good. I am putting these in our regular menu. Making them again tonight
I’m going to have double on the sliders for the amount of butter mixture it calls for next time. I think the rolls I bought have gotten smaller.
The BEST ham and cheese sliders I’ve ever made!
My family love these. I served them at a pool party and they were devoured.