Ham and Cheese Sliders

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Make your next gathering a hit with these simple yet delicious ham and cheese sliders: soft buns filled with ham and melted Swiss cheese, all smothered in a tangy butter sauce.

Ham and cheese sliders on a plate.

Ham and cheese sliders are a personal favorite of mine for any casual gathering, big or small. Soft, fluffy buns (such as King’s Hawaiian rolls) are filled with sliced ham and melted Swiss cheese, but the real star is the tangy butter sauce brushed on before baking. Made with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds, the sauce gives the sliders a bold, buttery flavor that’ll have everyone coming back for more.

The sliders are also super convenient for hosting since you can make a big batch at once (double the recipe if you need to) and prep them ahead of time. Whether I’m serving them at a party, a game day tailgate, or just a night in with family, they go quickly. Trust me, make extra!

What You’ll Need To Make Ham And Cheese Sliders

ingredients for ham and cheese sliders
  • Sauce (Melted Butter, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Poppy Seeds, Garlic Powder, Salt): Adds a rich, tangy, and savory flavor to the sandwiches, and keeps them moist.
  • Soft White Dinner Rolls: Provide a slightly sweet, soft base that complements the savory filling. Their texture and flavor are ideal for sliders, making them easy to eat.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy layer of flavor directly to the sliders; cuts through the richness of the ham and cheese.
  • Swiss Cheese: Melts nicely, adding a nutty flavor that pairs well with the ham.
  • Black Forest Ham: This dry-cured, smoked ham that originally comes from the Black Forest region of Germany has a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin by making the tangy butter sauce. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and poppy seeds. Stir to combine.

Using serrated bread knife, cut the rolls in half, leaving the top and bottom halves intact. Spread Dijon mustard over the cut side of the rolls.

Place the bottom half, cut side up, in a 9-inch square metal baking pan. Place half of the cheese in an even layer over the bottom. Follow with all of the ham. Finally, add the remaining cheese.

Cover with the roll tops. Evenly spoon the butter sauce over the top, letting it drip down the sides.

Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and toasted.

baked ham and cheese sliders

Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes in the pan. Using a large spatula, carefully transfer the sandwich block to a cutting board.

Whole ham and cheese sliders on a cutting board.

Using a serrated knife, slice into mini sandwiches. Serve warm or room temperature.

cut ham and cheese sliders

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make ham and cheese sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the sliders a day ahead and top them with the butter sauce, refrigerate overnight, and then bake the following day.

What makes Black Forest ham special for these sliders? Can I use another type instead?

Black Forest ham is prized for its distinctive smoky flavor and seasoned exterior, which adds depth and character to the sliders. However, if you can’t find Black Forest ham or prefer a different type, other smoked hams like honey ham or Virginia ham are excellent substitutes.

My supermarket doesn’t carry King’s Hawaiian rolls. What else can I use?

King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls are known for their soft texture and mild sweetness, and they conveniently come in pre-connected sheets that make assembly and baking easy. If you’re looking for alternatives, potato rolls or brioche buns are a fantastic option, offering a similar softness and sweetness, and they can sometimes be found in pre-connected sheets. If those aren’t available, individual slider buns are also suitable.

If using individual buns, you can still recreate the convenience of a sheet. Simply place the individual buns closely together in your baking pan, mimicking a connected sheet, and assemble your sliders on top. To ensure you can remove the sliders easily as one whole unit, line your pan with a foil sling.

Plate of ham and cheese sliders.

You May Also Like

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Make your next gathering a hit with these simple yet delicious ham and cheese sliders: soft buns filled with ham and melted Swiss cheese, all smothered in a tangy butter sauce.

Servings: 12 sliders
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 40 Minutes, plus 15 to 20 minutes to cool

Ingredients

For the Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1½ tablespoons poppy seeds
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Heaping ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Sandwiches

  • One 12-count pack square soft white dinner rolls, such as Kings Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • ⅔ pound sliced Swiss cheese
  • ½ pound sliced Black Forest ham

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the butter sauce. Set aside.
  3. Using a serrated bread knife, slice the rolls in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom halves separately intact. (Don't worry if the rolls fall apart; you can piece them back together in the pan.) Spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the cut sides of the roll tops and bottoms.
  4. Place the bottom half of the bread, cut side up, in a 9-inch square baking pan. Place half of the cheese in an even layer over the bread. Top with all of the ham, followed by the remaining cheese. Cover with the roll tops.
  5. Evenly spoon the butter sauce over the top of the rolls, letting it drip down the sides.
  6. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and toasted. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes in the pan. Using a large spatula, carefully transfer the sandwich block to a cutting board. Slice into sandwiches and transfer to a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  7. Make-Ahead Instructions: The sliders can be assembled a day ahead and topped with the butter sauce, refrigerated overnight, and then baked the following day.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Serving size: 1 slider
  • Calories: 338
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated fat: 8g
  • Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 16g
  • Sodium: 648g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • We love these little sandwiches at my house, great food for watching a game! I think the recommended amount of ham and swiss is too much, so I normally cut back.

  • This is the BEST! So easy, and you can improvise with the bread. I never have unsalted butter, so I just skip the salt.

  • you say bake for 22-25 minutes, but at what temperature?

    • It’s in the top paragraph of the instructions– 350°F. Enjoy!

  • This recipe is amazing. My daughter and husband, who are very picky eaters, actually loved these. I, of course, didn’t tell them what was in them since that usually freaks them out. I just love how much flavor these little sandwiches have. I made the recipe exactly as you have it except I didn’t have and unsalted butter. I definitely see why unsalted is better because they did turn out slightly salty but they were loved anyway. Next time I make them I will make sure I use unsalted butter.

    • You can also just skip adding the salt if you don’t have unsalted butter.

  • I made this as one of my finger foods when I had about 20 friends over not long ago. It was not a sit down dinner but all finger foods so my guests could mingle around the kitchen and talk. One of my guest summed it up so well, she said when she bit into it, it tasted like heaven in her mouth and it was one of the best things she had ever had. Super easy, I actually assembled it 10 minutes before my guests arrived having the poppy butter topping already mixed and ready. For something that taste so good, it was so easy to make. I just love recipes like this one. I would give it 6 stars if I could, just make sure you stick to the recipe and don’t skip any steps. It’s also very filling. It seems like you’re adding too much cheese and ham but believe me, the finished product is a perfect balance. And the poppy butter topping adds a lovely rich tasty crunch.

  • I love this recipe. it Is quick and easy. I was just wondering do I cover it while it’s cooking or do you cook it uncovered? I’ve seen similar recipes like this and they covered it with aluminum foil.

    • — Jerrika Grissette
    • Reply
    • Hi Jerrika, they get baked uncovered. (And glad you like them!)

  • These are so easy to make and yet give the impression they are extraordinary. Made them for a group and everyone wanted to know what the secret was. Total home run/touchdown with these.

  • Have made a similar recipe with the addition of brown sugar-is that advisable for this recipe? Also when sandwiches fully assembled, wouldn’t it b better to cut the sandwiches and spread them apart a little so the marinade drips down on all sides of the sandwiches and crisps them equally? Do u cover them while baking and uncover for last 10minutes?

    • Hi Betsey, I think you could get away with adding brown sugar here. And regarding cutting the sandwiches, I think you could do that, but don’t really think it’s necessary. I’d love to hear how they turn out with the brown sugar if you prepare them that way!

  • Made these for a party, and they were a huge hit! Thank you so much!

  • Could you make these with say, regular slider buns? I’ve had a difficult time finding the correct dinner rolls and I’ve bought Pepperidge Farm Soft and Sweet slider buns instead. Would they taste the same?

    • Yes, I think they would work Jill. It would help if they are square– it will definitely make the assembling of these easier. Please let me know how they turn out!

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