Whether you’re looking for a crazy-good appetizer, a tasty lunch, or a perfect potluck dish, these addictive, baked Ham and Cheese Sliders are sure to hit the spot. It’s no wonder they’re one of my most popular recipes!
Ham and Cheese Sliders Are a Crowd-Pleasing Favorite!
Baked ham and cheese sliders are a special (but super easy) dish that never fails to satisfy my taste buds! The sweet and savory combination of smoky ham, melted Swiss, and soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls is just irresistible. Any time I make a batch, they’re gone in the blink of an eye!
They are also incredibly simple to make, so if you need a great appetizer or dinner in a hurry, this recipe is for you. So grab a plateful, gather your loved ones, and enjoy these savory, satisfying sliders.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders with Mustard
- Irresistible Flavor: Melted Swiss cheese is perfectly mouthwatering when paired with salty ham and a sweet and savory mustard-onion sauce. It’s a messy, gorgeous combo that’s totally indulgent when served on soft Hawaiian rolls.
- Easy to Make: If you can make a sandwich, you can make these! The quick and easy prep for this dish makes it perfect for any occasion, from a busy weeknight to a barbecue or potluck. You can also prep them ahead of time and pop them into the oven when guests arrive.
- Flexible: Ham and cheese sliders are versatile and can be customized to work with your pantry and you preferences – you can use any deli meat, cheese, or sauces that you like! Mix it up, and make these your own.
- Totally Portable: Sliders are basically mini sandwiches, so even when they’re messy (and yes, these are delightfully sauce and messy) they are still easy to grab and eat. In short, baked sliders are a convenient, easy dish to serve to guests or to take out for a picnic, get-together, etc.
What You’ll Need
The first time I made these, I used leftover Easter ham, and let me tell you, that was the right decision! If you have ham left over from another meal, this is a great way to use it up. But you can use any type of sandwich-appropriate ham – there are no wrong answers here.
- Hawaiian Rolls: These small rolls are perfect slider buns, and bring their own touch of sweetness to the recipe.
- Ham: At least one slice of Baked Ham or deli ham for each roll. If you are using very thin ham, you might want to use more.
- Cheese: While you can use whatever cheese you like, Swiss is a really good choice. With the sweetness of the rolls and the tangy flavor of the mustard, Swiss brings in a nutty, savory note that works perfectly. Provolone is a great substitution.
- Butter: I recommend unsalted butter, so the topping doesn’t over-salt the dish. If using salted butter, halve the added salt in the recipe.
- Shallot: Be sure to include the minced shallot – it really gives the sauce a ton of savory flavor that can’t be missed.
- Mustard: Again, you can choose your own preferred mustard here, but Dijon has a wine-like fragrance and full flavor that really brings out the best in ham and Swiss, so I highly recommend it.
- Brown Sugar: Or honey, if you like.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Be sure to measure your Worcestershire sauce carefully. It adds a great flavor, but if you accidentally add too much, it can easily overpower the other ingredients.
- Salt
- Poppy Seeds: Optional.
How to Make Ham and Swiss Sliders
These sliders are now one of the most requested recipe from friends and family. I take them to potlucks and parties all the time and there is never a single bite leftover…even when I triple the recipe! Here’s how to make them:
- Get Ready to Bake. Preheat the oven to 350°F, and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cut the Pack of Rolls in Half Horizontally. Cut the entire pack of rolls in half, horizontally. You will have a sheet of the top halves, and a sheet of the bottom halves.
- Assemble the Sliders. Place the bottom sheet of the rolls into the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of ham, and then a layer of cheese. (Or you can do cheese, ham, and then more cheese – which is my preference.) Top with the remaining top half of the rolls.
- Make the Sauce. Melt the butter over medium heat, add the shallot, and cook for 1 minute. Take this off of the heat and stir in the mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and salt.
- Finish the Dish. Pour the butter sauce evenly over all of the sliders, and sprinkle poppy seeds over the top (if you’re using those). Cover and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cheese is good and melty. Uncover, and cook for 3 additional minutes to finish the topping.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
To make the absolute best ham and cheese sliders, be sure to check out these helpful tips. You are going to love this scrumptious recipe!
- Slice Before or After: Once you have assembled the sandwiches, you can cut them into individual sliders before or after baking. I personally find it easiest to do it before, that way once they are baked they are ready to be served.
- Use a Good Melting Cheese: You can use whatever cheese you like, but for the best results, choose one that melts easily, such as cheddar, Swiss, or provolone. You want that creamy, gooey texture.
- Mayonnaise: Full disclosure: I do not love mayo on most sandwiches, including these. The melted cheese and mustardy topping is plenty for me! But if you want to add mayo to the inside of the buns, that will definitely work, too. However, if you’re on the fence, leave it out. Your sliders don’t need any extra sauce!
- Additional Toppings: If you want to up the ante, you can add extra toppings to your sliders for even more flavor and texture. Pickled red onions would be fantastic.
- Rest Time: After baking, allow the sliders to rest for a few minutes. You want to serve them warm, but let them cool a little bit to help the flavors blend. Plus, they will be easier to handle.
What Sides Go with Ham and Cheese Sliders?
When serving ham and cheese sliders, there are so many options for side dishes! We love contrasting flavors and textures, to create a well-rounded meal. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Side Salad: You can never go wrong with a fresh green salad. This Greek Salad is made with a simple but flavor-packed blend of romaine lettuce, olives, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, and feta. Refreshing and crisp, perfect for balancing the richness of the sliders.
- Coleslaw: Classic homemade coleslaw is another cool and crunchy option. My Spicy Mango Slaw adds an island-y fruitiness to the mix, and some spicy sriracha, too!
- Sweet Potato Fries: Bake up a side of Crispy Sweet Potato Fries for a festive dish that’s healthy, too. Everyone will come back for seconds of these well-seasoned, perfectly crisp oven fries.
- More Party Appetizers: Or if you are serving these for a party, you can’t go wrong with more party favorites: Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs, Best Texas Caviar, Cheesy Bisquick Sausage Balls, Easy Walking Tacos or Pulled Pork Sliders!
Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can! I prepare them ahead (even drizzling on the sauce), and then cover the baking dish in foil to transfer them to wherever we are going. Once we get there, I finish the dish by baking them at my final location, whether that’s a relative’s house for the holidays or over a grill a tailgate. That’s right, you can even “bake” them on a grill. It doesn’t get any better than that!
If you add the topping, the unbaked sliders can be stored in the fridge or a cooler for a couple of hours. If you leave the topping off, you can refrigerate them for up to 48 hours before adding the topping and baking as directed. Always store in the refrigerator – please don’t store at room temperature, for food safety.
Storing and Reheating
To safely store and reheat any leftovers, just cool them down and then wrap them. You can wrap each one individually, or just place them all in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Refrigerate for 3 – 4 days. You can reheat ham and cheese sliders in a 350°F oven.
Baked Mustard, Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian original rolls
- 12 slices ham
- 8 slices swiss cheese
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot minced
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- poppy seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Cut the entire pack of rolls in half, horizontally. You will have one sheet of the top halves of the rolls, and one sheet of the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Place the bottom of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute the ham and cheese evenly over the rolls. I like to do two thin layers of cheese with the ham in the center. Put the tops on the rolls. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Stir to combine.
- Pour sauce evenly over all of the sandwiches. Sprinkle tops with poppy seeds.
- Cover with foil and bake for 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 3 additional minutes. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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