I share Ham Cheese Sliders built on sweet Hawaiian rolls, stacked with ham and Swiss and crowned with a buttery dijon topping that makes them a fast, simple dinner or a standout addition to any party.
I always get suspicious when something tastes better than it looks, and these Ham & Cheese Sliders are one of those. Sweet Hawaiian sweet rolls cradle layers of Swiss cheese that melt into gooey, slightly tangy pockets, and every bite somehow makes you want more.
They vanish at parties, even when I bring nothing fancy, and I swear people always ask for the recipe. I usually tell friends this fits right into the Sliders Recipes Hawaiian Rolls crowd and is the kind of Ham Cheese Sliders people beg you to bring again.
Weeknights feel a little less boring with these.
Ingredients
- Hawaiian sweet rolls: soft, slightly sweet bread, mostly carbs, gives gooey contrast to savory ham.
- Deli ham: protein rich, processed so watch sodium, adds savory, salty punch and meaty texture.
- Swiss cheese: creamy, adds protein and calcium, melts great, slightly nutty and mild flavor.
- Butter: rich fat that browns tops and carries flavor, not very heart healthy in big amounts.
- Dijon mustard: tangy, sharp, low cal, cuts richness and gives a little bite to the sliders.
- Poppy seeds: tiny crunch, visual flair, minor nutty oils, mostly decorative not hugely nutritional.
- Brown sugar: adds caramel sweetness and sticky glaze, balances savory but ups carbs.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 count)
- 12 slices deli ham about 8 to 12 ounces total
- 12 slices Swiss cheese about 8 ounces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
How to Make this
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish or line it with foil.
2. Using a serrated knife slice the whole package of Hawaiian rolls horizontally so you end up with one connected top and one connected bottom. Place the bottom half in the dish. Tip: a sawing motion keeps the tops from getting squashed.
3. Layer the bottom with all 12 slices deli ham, slightly overlapping, then top with the 12 slices Swiss cheese. If the ham is stone cold warm it 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave so it doesn’t cool the cheese and slow melting.
4. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese, lining up the seams.
5. In a small bowl whisk together 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and 1 tablespoon brown sugar if you want a sweeter glaze. Taste a little, it should be tangy with a hint of sweet.
6. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the butter mixture for later, then brush the rest evenly over the tops, try to get some down between the seams so the flavor soaks in.
7. Cover tightly with foil and bake 15 minutes, just until the cheese is mostly melted. Don’t skip the foil or the tops will dry out.
8. Remove foil, brush the reserved butter mix over the tops and return to the oven uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes until the top is golden and shiny. If you want extra color you can broil 1 to 2 minutes on a low broil setting but watch it closely or it will burn.
9. Let the sliders rest 3 to 5 minutes, then slice into 12 servings with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. Serve warm with extra mustard or pickles on the side. They’re great for a quick dinner or to bring to a party and you can assemble ahead then bake when guests arrive.
Equipment Needed
1. 9 by 13 inch baking dish (or a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil)
2. Serrated knife for slicing the rolls horizontally, use a sawing motion so they don’t get squashed
3. Cutting board
4. Small mixing bowl for the butter glaze
5. Whisk or fork to blend the glaze
6. Pastry brush to coat the tops and seams
7. Aluminum foil to cover while baking
8. Oven mitts or heatproof potholders
9. Sharp knife or kitchen shears to slice into 12 servings
FAQ
Ham & Cheese Sliders Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Hawaiian sweet rolls: potato rolls, brioche buns, plain slider rolls, split dinner rolls — all will give a soft, slightly sweet base
- Deli ham: smoked turkey, roast pork slices, prosciutto, or thinly sliced salami — swap for a different flavor profile
- Swiss cheese: Gruyere, provolone, fontina, or a mild cheddar — meltability and mild nuttiness are the goal
- Poppy seeds: sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, caraway seeds, or a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt for crunch
Pro Tips
– Use a long serrated knife and saw slowly, dont press down or the tops will get mashed. If you’re nervous, slide a sheet of parchment under the rolls before slicing so they stay steady.
– For extra gooeyness, let the cheese sit at room temp a few minutes and add an extra thin slice in spots where the rolls are thicker, especially the corners. Cold meat will stop the melt, so warm the ham just a few seconds if it’s fridge-cold.
– Get the butter glaze right into the seams, not just on top. Use a silicone brush, a small ladle, or even a turkey baster to squirt some between the buns so every bite has flavor.
– Assemble ahead to save time: wrap tight and refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake straight from cold adding a few extra minutes covered. To reheat leftovers, warm in a 300 F oven wrapped in foil so they dont dry out.
Ham & Cheese Sliders Recipe
I share Ham Cheese Sliders built on sweet Hawaiian rolls, stacked with ham and Swiss and crowned with a buttery dijon topping that makes them a fast, simple dinner or a standout addition to any party.
12
servings
320
kcal
Equipment: 1. 9 by 13 inch baking dish (or a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil)
2. Serrated knife for slicing the rolls horizontally, use a sawing motion so they don’t get squashed
3. Cutting board
4. Small mixing bowl for the butter glaze
5. Whisk or fork to blend the glaze
6. Pastry brush to coat the tops and seams
7. Aluminum foil to cover while baking
8. Oven mitts or heatproof potholders
9. Sharp knife or kitchen shears to slice into 12 servings
Ingredients
-
1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 count)
-
12 slices deli ham about 8 to 12 ounces total
-
12 slices Swiss cheese about 8 ounces
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
-
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
-
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
-
1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish or line it with foil.
- Using a serrated knife slice the whole package of Hawaiian rolls horizontally so you end up with one connected top and one connected bottom. Place the bottom half in the dish. Tip: a sawing motion keeps the tops from getting squashed.
- Layer the bottom with all 12 slices deli ham, slightly overlapping, then top with the 12 slices Swiss cheese. If the ham is stone cold warm it 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave so it doesn't cool the cheese and slow melting.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese, lining up the seams.
- In a small bowl whisk together 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and 1 tablespoon brown sugar if you want a sweeter glaze. Taste a little, it should be tangy with a hint of sweet.
- Reserve a couple tablespoons of the butter mixture for later, then brush the rest evenly over the tops, try to get some down between the seams so the flavor soaks in.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake 15 minutes, just until the cheese is mostly melted. Don't skip the foil or the tops will dry out.
- Remove foil, brush the reserved butter mix over the tops and return to the oven uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes until the top is golden and shiny. If you want extra color you can broil 1 to 2 minutes on a low broil setting but watch it closely or it will burn.
- Let the sliders rest 3 to 5 minutes, then slice into 12 servings with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. Serve warm with extra mustard or pickles on the side. They're great for a quick dinner or to bring to a party and you can assemble ahead then bake when guests arrive.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 85g
- Total number of serves: 12
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 18.5g
- Saturated Fat: 11.5g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Polyunsaturated: 1.2g
- Monounsaturated: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 650mg
- Potassium: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Vitamin A: 300IU
- Vitamin C: 0.2mg
- Calcium: 170mg
- Iron: 1.4mg
