Sweet, savory, and utterly irresistible, Baked Hawaiian Sandwiches stack ham, Swiss, and pineapple between a block of soft Hawaiian rolls, then get brushed with a buttery-sweet glaze and baked until golden. They’re the kind of thing you bring to a potluck, assemble the night before for an easy party, or tuck into for a fast family dinner. If you like hands-off oven recipes, you might also enjoy this cozy one-pan option for fish: Baked Boursin Salmon.
Why you’ll love this dish
These sliders hit so many notes — sweet bread, salty ham, tangy mustard, melty cheese, and bursts of pineapple — which is why they disappear fast. They’re also fast to assemble, scale up easily for a crowd, and are kid-approved.
“A guaranteed crowd-pleaser: easy to make ahead and even better warm out of the oven.” — home cook review
Perfect occasions:
- Game day or tailgates (easy to transport)
- Holiday appetizer or dinner side
- Weeknight family dinner when you want minimal cleanup
- Brunch or potluck where finger foods rule
Preparing Baked Hawaiian Sandwiches
This recipe is mostly assembly and one short bake. Expect to:
- Keep the roll block intact and slice it in half horizontally.
- Layer ham, cheese, and pineapple on the bottom half.
- Reassemble, brush with a butter-mustard glaze, cover, and bake.
- Finish uncovered to allow the tops to turn golden and slightly caramelized.
The total hands-on time is about 10–15 minutes; bake time is roughly 23–25 minutes.
What you’ll need
- 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12-count), kept whole
- 12 slices deli ham, thinly sliced (about 8–12 oz)
- 6–12 slices Swiss cheese (use more for extra cheesiness)
- 1 cup pineapple tidbits or slices, well drained (reserve juice for a smoothie)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp minced onion or 1 tsp onion powder
- Nonstick spray or a little extra butter for greasing the pan
Substitutions and notes:
- Swap ham for honey-baked ham, turkey, or deli roast beef if preferred.
- Provolone or Monterey Jack works well in place of Swiss.
- Use vegan butter and dairy-free cheese to make a plant-based version.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a thin layer of butter.
- Keep the roll block intact. With a long serrated knife, slice horizontally through the block so you have a top half and a bottom half. A gentle sawing motion avoids squashing the rolls.
- Place the bottom half in the prepared dish. Arrange the ham evenly over the rolls in a single layer.
- Top the ham with the Swiss cheese so it overlaps slightly for even melting. Scatter the well-drained pineapple tidbits over the cheese.
- Replace the top half of the rolls to reform the slab.
- In a small bowl, whisk melted butter with Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, poppy seeds (if using), and minced onion or onion powder until smooth.
- Brush the glaze generously and evenly over the tops of the rolls. Let a little glaze drip into the crevices for flavor that soaks into the bread.
- Tightly cover the dish with foil and bake 15 minutes to melt cheese and warm through.
- Remove foil and bake 8–10 more minutes until the tops are golden brown and the glaze is slightly caramelized.
- Let cool 3–5 minutes, slice between rolls, and serve warm.
How to serve Baked Hawaiian Sandwiches
Best served warm so the cheese is gooey and the glaze is tacky. Plate them on a large board for a party, or keep them in the baking dish for easy serving. For balanced plates:
- Pair with crisp, acidic sides like a simple green salad or slaw to cut the sweetness.
- Serve alongside roasted vegetables or kettle chips for texture contrast.
To create a heartier surf-and-turf-style meal, serve with a bright fish dish such as this baked salmon with garlicky spinach and mozzarella.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil/plastic wrap. They keep well for 3–4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap the entire assembled slider block (before baking) tightly in plastic and foil; freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking and proceed with the glaze and bake times. You can also freeze already-baked slices wrapped individually for up to 1 month.
- Reheating: Warm in a 325°F oven for 8–12 minutes covered, or microwave single servings for 30–60 seconds (cheese may not re-melt evenly). For best texture, reheat uncovered in a toaster oven or oven to keep the tops crisp.
Food safety: Refrigerate perishable ingredients within two hours of serving. When reheating, heat through to at least 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Helpful cooking tips
- Use a serrated knife and steady pressure to split the roll block without tearing.
- Drain pineapple very well — excess juice will make the rolls soggy. Pat with paper towels if needed.
- Don’t skimp on the glaze: the butter and brown sugar create the classic golden, slightly sticky top.
- If you want extra gooeyness, tuck a few extra slices of cheese inside between the ham layers.
- For easier cleanup, line the dish with foil before assembling.
- Make ahead: Assemble without glazing, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Glaze and bake when ready.
Creative twists
- BBQ Hawaiian: Swap the glaze for a thin layer of BBQ sauce and use smoked ham or pulled pork.
- Spicy kick: Add sliced jalapeños under the cheese or mix a little sriracha into the glaze.
- Vegetarian: Replace ham with grilled portobello slices or smoked tofu; use vegan cheese and plant butter.
- Tropical deluxe: Add a thin slice of cooked bacon on each roll for extra smoky contrast.
- Mini sliders: Use smaller Hawaiian rolls or cut the block into smaller portions for party-sized bites.
Common questions
Q: How long does prep and bake take?
A: About 10–15 minutes prep and 23–25 minutes total baking time. Count on 35 minutes from start to finish including short cooling.
Q: Can I assemble these ahead of time?
A: Yes — assemble without brushing the glaze, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add the glaze and bake when ready. You can also fully assemble and freeze (see storage tips).
Q: Can I make them without pineapple or with canned pineapple juice?
A: Yes — omit pineapple for a plain ham-and-cheese slider. Don’t pour canned pineapple juice over the rolls; it makes them soggy. Use tidbits drained well.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftovers so they don’t get soggy?
A: Reheat in a 325°F oven uncovered or in a toaster oven to refresh the crust. Microwaving is fast but can leave bread soft.
Q: Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
A: Yes — make two 9×13 trays or bake in shifts if you only have one oven. Assembling multiple trays ahead saves time.
If you’d like, I can generate a printable recipe card or scale the ingredient amounts to feed a crowd.
Print
Baked Hawaiian Sandwiches
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: None
Description
Sweet and savory sliders featuring ham, Swiss cheese, and pineapple, brushed with a buttery glaze and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12-count), kept whole
- 12 slices deli ham, thinly sliced (about 8–12 oz)
- 6–12 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 cup pineapple tidbits or slices, well drained
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp minced onion or 1 tsp onion powder
- Nonstick spray or extra butter for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Slice the roll block horizontally in half.
- Place the bottom half in the dish and layer with ham.
- Top with Swiss cheese and pineapple tidbits.
- Reassemble the top half of the rolls.
- In a bowl, whisk melted butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, poppy seeds, and onion together.
- Brush the glaze over the rolls and cover with foil.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 8–10 minutes until golden.
- Cool for 3–5 minutes, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
Assemble the sandwiches ahead of time for an easy party snack. Great for game day or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian