I’m sharing my easy Ham Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian rolls with a simple secret glaze that makes these ham sliders anything but ordinary.

Jump to Recipe

I never planned to make the Best Ham And Cheese Sliders my signature, but here we are. Soft Hawaiian sweet rolls cradle slices of deli ham into something dangerously easy to eat.

Every time I bring these to a party people start calling them Little Ham Sandwiches Hawaiian Rolls and then argue over who’s getting the last one. They look simple, but there’s a sneaky sweet and savory thing happening that keeps you coming back, like some small, irresistible trick.

I still don’t know why they’re so addictive, but my friends just call them classic Ham Cheese Sliders and keep asking for more.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Hawaiian sweet rolls: soft, slightly sweet bread adds carbs and comfort, perfect for pull-apart sandwiches.
Deli ham: salty protein-rich, has nitrates sometimes gives savory meaty flavor to sliders.
Swiss cheese: nutty and melty, gives calcium and protein, balances salt with mild tang.
Butter: adds richness helps browning, mostly saturated fat so use moderate amounts.
Dijon mustard: sharp slightly tangy, low calorie kick that cuts through richness.
Poppy seeds: tiny crunch mild nutty flavor, mostly garnish but add texture and visual pop.
Worcestershire sauce: umami boost, tangy and savory, tiny amount deepens overall flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

12 Hawaiian sweet rolls Kings Hawaiian brand works great

12 to 18 slices deli ham (about 1 pound)

8 ounces Swiss cheese sliced (about 8 slices)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or a pinch

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 baking pan or line it with parchment.

2. Slice the 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls horizontally so you have a bottom slab and a top slab, keep them in one piece so they stay aligned.

3. Place the bottom slab in the pan, then layer 12 to 18 slices of deli ham over it, overlapping or folding slices to cover the whole surface.

4. Top the ham with the 8 ounces of Swiss cheese (about 8 slices) so it’s evenly distributed.

5. Put the top slab of rolls back on, press down gently so the layers settle.

6. In a small bowl mix 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; whisk until combined.

7. Pour or brush most of that butter mixture over the top of the rolls, working it into the seams and edges; save a little to brush after baking if you want extra shine.

8. Cover the pan with foil and bake 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

9. Remove the foil and bake another 5 to 7 minutes so the tops get golden and a little crisp, then let the sliders rest about 5 minutes before pulling apart and serving.

Equipment Needed

1. 9×13 baking pan, greased or lined with parchment
2. Serrated knife you’ll want a bread knife so the rolls slice clean
3. Cutting board
4. Small mixing bowl for the butter mustard sauce
5. Measuring spoons for the mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder and salt
6. Whisk or fork to mix the sauce
7. Pastry brush or spoon to work the butter mixture into seams
8. Aluminum foil to cover while baking
9. Oven mitts and a spatula or tongs for pulling sliders out and serving

FAQ

12 Hawaiian sweet rolls Kings Hawaiian brand works great

12 to 18 slices deli ham (about 1 pound)

8 ounces Swiss cheese sliced (about 8 slices)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or a pinch

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Can I make these ahead of time? Yes. Assemble and cover, then refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when ready. For best texture do not refrigerate longer than a day before baking.

How do I reheat leftovers? Reheat covered in a 350 degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until warm. For a single slider use the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds but the roll might get soggy.

Can I freeze them? You can. Assemble in the pan, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 350 F covered for 20 to 25 minutes, then uncover and bake 5 to 7 more minutes.

What can I substitute for Swiss cheese? Gruyere, provolone or even sharp cheddar all work well. Pick something that melts nicely.

My sliders got soggy, how do I avoid that? Don’t overbrush the bottom interior sides with the butter mixture, keep most on top. Also don’t slice until just before serving so steam doesn’t get trapped.

Can I add extras like pickles or mustard? Totally. Thinly sliced pickles, a swipe of spicy mustard, or caramelized onions are all great additions. Just don’t overload or they’ll be messy to eat.

Best Ham And Cheese Sliders Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Hawaiian sweet rolls: brioche slider buns, potato rolls, soft dinner rolls, or any sweet sandwich roll you like
Deli ham: sliced turkey breast, honey-glazed roast pork, smoked turkey, or thinly sliced roast beef
Swiss cheese: Gruyere for a nuttier flavor, provolone or mozzarella for a milder melt, sharp cheddar for more bite
Dijon mustard: whole-grain mustard, spicy brown mustard, honey mustard, or yellow mustard mixed with a little mayo and vinegar

Pro Tips

1) Prevent soggy rolls: spread a very thin layer of mayo mixed with a little Dijon on the cut sides or quickly toast the bottom slab in the pan for 1-2 minutes. That little barrier stops juices from soaking in and helps the bottom get a bit crisp without drying out.

2) Make the cheese melt perfectly: shred the Swiss or tear slices into smaller pieces so it melts faster and more evenly, and warm the ham 20-30 seconds in the microwave so it doesnt cool the whole sandwich down when assembled.

3) Better butter glaze: warm the butter mixture slightly so the mustard blends smooth, and use a pastry brush or spoon to work it into every seam before baking, then save a bit to brush on right after baking for extra shine. If you want crunchier tops, uncover earlier and watch closely under the oven the last few minutes.

4) Clean cuts and easier serving: let the pan rest a few minutes, then use a serrated knife or kitchen shears to cut through without squishing, or lift the whole slab out on parchment and slice on a cutting board. If you need to make them ahead, reheat covered at low temp so the cheese re-melts without getting greasy.

Best Ham And Cheese Sliders Recipe

Recipe by Sarah level

0.0 from 0 votes

I’m sharing my easy Ham Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian rolls with a simple secret glaze that makes these ham sliders anything but ordinary.

Servings

servings

Calories

300

kcal

Equipment: 1. 9×13 baking pan, greased or lined with parchment
2. Serrated knife you’ll want a bread knife so the rolls slice clean
3. Cutting board
4. Small mixing bowl for the butter mustard sauce
5. Measuring spoons for the mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder and salt
6. Whisk or fork to mix the sauce
7. Pastry brush or spoon to work the butter mixture into seams
8. Aluminum foil to cover while baking
9. Oven mitts and a spatula or tongs for pulling sliders out and serving

Ingredients

12 Hawaiian sweet rolls Kings Hawaiian brand works great
12 to 18 slices deli ham (about 1 pound)
8 ounces Swiss cheese sliced (about 8 slices)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or a pinch
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 baking pan or line it with parchment.
Slice the 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls horizontally so you have a bottom slab and a top slab, keep them in one piece so they stay aligned.
Place the bottom slab in the pan, then layer 12 to 18 slices of deli ham over it, overlapping or folding slices to cover the whole surface.
Top the ham with the 8 ounces of Swiss cheese (about 8 slices) so it's evenly distributed.
Put the top slab of rolls back on, press down gently so the layers settle.
In a small bowl mix 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; whisk until combined.
Pour or brush most of that butter mixture over the top of the rolls, working it into the seams and edges; save a little to brush after baking if you want extra shine.
Cover the pan with foil and bake 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
Remove the foil and bake another 5 to 7 minutes so the tops get golden and a little crisp, then let the sliders rest about 5 minutes before pulling apart and serving.

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.