Warm, buttery King’s Hawaiian rolls hugging melty Swiss and honey-roasted ham—this is comfort food with a party-ready twist. These ham and cheese sliders bake up in about 25–30 minutes and are a favorite for game day, potlucks, weeknight dinners, or holiday sides when you want something effortless but crowd-pleasing. If you like the concept but want poultry instead, try a well-loved turkey and cheese sliders recipe for a lighter variation.
Why you’ll love this dish
These sliders hit several marks at once: they’re quick to assemble, feed a crowd without stress, and balance sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls with savory ham and a buttery poppy-seed glaze. They’re kid-approved, easy to scale, and portable for picnics or tailgates.
“I made these for a family brunch and everyone went back for seconds—simple, comforting, and the glaze is the real star.”
Good reasons to make them:
- Fast assembly: mostly layering and a quick glaze.
- Economical: deli ham and store-bought rolls keep costs down.
- Crowd-pleaser: soft bread and melty cheese suit all ages.
- Make-ahead friendly: you can assemble and refrigerate before baking.
Step-by-step overview
You’ll slice each roll set in half, layer the bottom tray with ham and cheese, replace the tops, brush with a buttery Dijon-mayo glaze studded with poppy seeds, then bake covered briefly and finish uncovered until golden. Total hands-on time is about 10–15 minutes, oven time 20–23 minutes.
What you’ll need
- 24 slices deli honey-roasted ham (about 1–1.25 lb) — thin-sliced works best for layering
- 6 slices Swiss cheese (tear to cover evenly) — Gruyère or provolone are great swaps
- 2 packages (12-count each) King’s Hawaiian original rolls
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for tang and fewer calories)
- 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Light cooking spray or butter for greasing the 9×13-inch dish
Notes and substitutions:
- For a lower-fat option use nonfat Greek yogurt in place of mayo.
- Want a different protein? For another deli-style slider, compare this to a classic turkey and cheese sliders approach.
- If you don’t have poppy seeds, sesame seeds will add a different but pleasant crunch.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or spray.
- Keeping each 12-roll tray intact, slice the rolls in half horizontally so you have a connected bottom tray and a connected top tray. Place the bottom halves in the prepared dish.
- Layer the ham evenly across the bottom rolls. Aim for a uniform layer so every slider gets ham.
- Tear the Swiss cheese into pieces and cover the ham, ensuring cheese reaches the edges for even melt.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the tops of the rolls with the glaze. Be generous near the seams so the butter soaks in.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. This traps steam so the interior heats through and cheese melts.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–8 minutes until the tops are golden brown and slightly crisp. Watch closely so they don’t over-brown.
- Let the sliders cool for 5 minutes, then slice between rolls to separate into individual sandwiches. Serve warm.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve these sliders warm straight from the pan on a large platter. Pair them with:
- Classic sides: coleslaw, kettle chips, or a simple green salad.
- Dippable add-ons: spicy mustard, honey mustard, or a dill pickle relish.
- Drinks: light beers, sparkling water with lemon, or a crisp Riesling if you want wine.
For grazing or a buffet, arrange sliders on a tiered board and keep a small pan with extra glaze for topping as needed.
Storage and reheating tips
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Consume within 3–4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap individual sliders in plastic and place in a freezer bag (up to 2 months). Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes covered, then uncover for 3–4 minutes to refresh the crust. For single servings, microwave 30–45 seconds, then crisp in a toaster oven for 1–2 minutes.
- Food safety: Keep hot foods above 140°F. Don’t leave sliders at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Pro chef tips
- Tear the cheese rather than slicing for quicker melting and better coverage.
- Brush the glaze into the seams so the buttery flavor reaches the interior.
- If you like extra-crispy tops, uncover and broil for 30–60 seconds at the end—stay attentive to avoid burning.
- For perfectly even slices after baking, refrigerate the pan 10–15 minutes to firm up slightly, then cut with a serrated knife.
Creative twists
- Spicy: swap Swiss for pepper jack and add a smear of Sriracha mayo.
- Sweet-savory: add thin pineapple slices or apricot jam under the cheese for a Hawaiian-inspired twist.
- Italian ham: use prosciutto, provolone, and pesto for a Mediterranean take.
- Breakfast sliders: add scrambled eggs and a slice of breakfast sausage.
- Vegetarian: use thick-cut smoked tofu or tempeh and vegan cheese, plus a mustard-maple glaze.
Common questions
Q: How long does this take from start to finish?
A: About 25–30 minutes total—10–15 minutes prep and 20–23 minutes in the oven (some overlap).
Q: Can I assemble these ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble, glaze, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if cold from the fridge.
Q: Can I freeze the sliders before or after baking?
A: You can freeze both ways. For best texture, bake, cool, then freeze. Reheat from frozen wrapped in foil at 350°F for 20–30 minutes.
Q: What can I use instead of poppy seeds?
A: Sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning both make tasty substitutes.
Q: How many people does this feed?
A: With 24 rolls, plan on 2–3 sliders per person as part of a larger spread, or 3–4 as the main item—so roughly 6–12 people depending on appetite.
If you want any adjustments (gluten-free, dairy-free, or lower-sodium swaps), tell me which restriction you need and I’ll give a tailored version.
Print
Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: None
Description
Warm, buttery King’s Hawaiian rolls filled with melty Swiss cheese and honey-roasted ham—perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
- 24 slices deli honey-roasted ham (about 1–1.25 lb)
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 packages (12-count each) King’s Hawaiian original rolls
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Light cooking spray or butter for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or spray.
- Slice the rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in the prepared dish.
- Layer the ham evenly across the bottom rolls.
- Tear the Swiss cheese into pieces and cover the ham.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Brush the tops of the rolls with the glaze.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–8 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice to serve.
Notes
For a lower-fat option use nonfat Greek yogurt. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American