Gone in just a few savory bites, these delicious Ham and Swiss Cheese sliders are perfect for parties and tailgating. In this easy sandwich recipe, Hawaiian sweet rolls are filled with shaved ham and Swiss cheese and then marinate in a buttery, Dijon glaze before baking to buttery crisp, gooey cheese perfection.
These insanely tasty ham and cheese sliders are one of my husband's favorite things I make--and trust me, that's saying a lot. He has already told me if he ever has to order a last meal, these EPIC sliders, (along with Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars) would be it.
That's because these oven baked tiny sandwich miracles are a melted cheese lover's dream. Each slider is overflowing with gooey melted Swiss cheese and salty bites of ham that's stuffed in between buttery crisp sweet rolls.
Thanks to the amazing Dijon glaze, each savory bite practically melts in your mouth. This siders recipe is pure sandwich perfection, making it perfect for parties, special lunches, tailgating--or just because 😉.
Jump to:
👪Why you'll love it
| Easy- If you can make a sandwich and melt some butter, you can make these! Crowd pleaser- This easy sliders recipe can be doubled (or tripled!) to feed a crowd. They always get raves and get gobbled up quickly. Make ahead of time- Ham sliders are best when they're prepared the day before and marinate overnight in the fridge, freeing you up the day you bake them to get other things done! Pairs well with so many dishes- From soups to salads and sides, many dishes pair well with these savory, cheesy sliders. We especially enjoy them with Asparagus Tomato Salad, Cream of Roasted Asparagus Soup, and Cheddar Parmesan Mac and Cheese. |
🥘Ingredients
- Hawaiian sweet rolls- King's Hawaiian recommended
- low-sodium deli ham- use shaved or chipped premium deli ham for best taste and quality
- Swiss cheese- sliced thin
- butter- salted is best
- Dijon mustard- I use Grey Poupon for an extra spicy kick
- Worcestershire sauce- adds a robust flavor to the sauce that you don't want to skip
- garlic powder
- poppy seeds- this optional topper adds a nice texture and crunch to the glaze
🔪Instructions
- Step 1: Place roll bottoms (inside part facing up) in the bottom of a 13x9 prepared pan. Evenly distribute shaved ham over the roll bottoms.
- Step 2: Layer the Swiss cheese over the ham. Top with the roll tops.
- Step 3: Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder; stir over low heat.
- Step 4: Pour the marinade over the tops of the rolls. Use a pastry brush to evenly distribute. Cover and refrigerate overnight for best results, or bake right away.
Hint: Assembling the sliders the night before you bake them is strongly encouraged in order for the buttery marinade to absorb more into the buns.
🥣Substitutions
- Slider buns: You may use potato slider buns or mini hamburger buns instead. I don't recommend pretzel slider buns for this recipe because they don't absorb the marinade very well.
- Meat: Substitute shaved turkey for the ham.
- Cheese: Use your favorite cheese, thinly sliced.
- Topping: Use everything seasoning (which contains poppy seeds) for more flavor; you may also use onion flakes.
📖Variations
- Cuban-Style Sliders: Give these sliders a Miami-inspired twist by adding a layer of roasted pulled pork and thinly sliced dill pickles right on top of the ham. The Dijon mustard glaze already pairs perfectly with these Cuban sandwich flavors!
- Turkey, Bacon, & Cheddar Sliders: Swap out the deli ham for shaved turkey breast, replace the Swiss with sharp cheddar cheese, and add a layer of crispy, cooked bacon before putting the top buns on.
- Spicy Pepper Jack Sliders: For readers who like a little heat, swap the Swiss cheese for pepper jack. Add a layer of pickled jalapeño slices over the ham before baking. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter glaze for an extra kick!
See Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, Pepperoni Pizza Sliders, and Easy Chicken BBQ Sliders for more crowd-favorite sliders recipes!
🥪How to assemble your sliders
Before assembling, you may choose to individually separate each slider bun, or keep the entire bottom and top together, then separate when serving. Some readers have said that it's easier to assemble them this way (that's the way I make Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Sliders because of the sauce).
With this recipe, I often separate each individual roll before assembling to get more cheese in each slider and to control the portions.
🍽Equipment
- 13 x 9 in. metal pan, lined with greased foil for easy cleanup
- cutting board
- long serrated bread knife
- small saucepan
- stirring spoon
- pastry brush
🍶Storage
Store Ham and Swiss Cheese Sliders in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within three-five days.
Reheating instructions: Arrange in a single layer on a prepared pan, cover loosely with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 2-3 minutes or until sliders are heated through (the melted cheese will be a good guide for this).
💭Top tip
Loosely cover the sliders with aluminum foil for the first part of baking; then remove the foil during the last 5 minutes so tops can brown slightly. You'll know the sliders are done when the cheese is oozing and the bottoms are buttery crisp.
🗨️FAQ
Use a slow cooker on low or keep sliders, loosely covered with foil, in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.
According to the USDA, baked sliders can sit out for 2 hours before having to be refrigerated.
es! You can freeze them before or after baking. If freezing before baking, assemble the sandwiches but wait to add the butter glaze until you are ready to bake them. Wrap them tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before adding the glaze and baking.
If you don't have Dijon mustard or prefer a milder flavor, you can easily substitute yellow mustard or honey mustard. Keep in mind that honey mustard will make the glaze slightly sweeter.
These sliders are designed to be buttery and soft! However, if you prefer a crisper bottom bun, you can place a layer of cheese on the bottom bun before adding the ham. The cheese acts as a barrier to keep the juices from soaking directly into the bread.
While Hawaiian sweet rolls provide that classic sweet-and-savory contrast, you can absolutely use potato rolls, savory butter rolls, or even mini brioche buns if you prefer less sweetness.
Absolutely. The poppy seeds add a nice texture and visual appeal to the glaze, but omitting them will not significantly change the flavor of the sliders.
🥄More Tasty Sandwich Recipes
Looking for other sandwich recipes like this? Try these:
For another super tasty sandwich, check out Sloppy Joes with Cheese.
🍴Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Ham and Swiss Cheese Sliders. You can also head over to our dedicated Appetizers page for even more entertaining ideas!:
📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Ham & Swiss Sliders
Equipment
- 13x9 metal pan (lined with greased foil for easy cleanup)
- cutting board
- long serrated bread knife
- small saucepan
- stirring spoon
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I truly love and use in my own kitchen!
Ingredients
- 1 (12 count) pakage Hawaiian sweet rolls King's Hawaiian highly recommended
- ¾ lb premium low sodium deli ham, shaved Boar's Head or other high end brand recommended
- ⅓ lb (12 slices) Swiss cheese sliced thin
- ¼ cup (½ stick) butter
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard Grey Poupon highly recommended
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Arrange the slider bottoms in a slightly greased 13x9 pan.
- Evenly distribute the ham over slider bottoms.
- Place the Swiss cheese on top.
- Place the tops of the rolls onto the sliders. Set aside.
- Melt butter in small pot over low heat. Then add the Dijon, Worcestershire and garlic powder. Stir over low heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the marinade directly from the pot (if spouted) over the top of the sliders. Alternatively, you may use a pastry brush to apply the marinade.
- Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of poppy seeds on top of the sliders.
- It is strongly suggested to cover sliders and place in the fridge for a few hours before baking, but overnight is best.
- Bake covered in a 375 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake another 3-5 minutes or until sliders are heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat covered in a 325 degree preheated oven for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 2-3 minutes or until sliders are heated through.
Barbara K. says
This recipe sounds like one "to die for." I'm definitely into making this.
Kitchen Ready Betty says
That's great to hear! You won't regret it!
Sheila S. says
The buttery Dijon marinade makes this recipe the best! These were such a hit at my party. Next time, I'm tripling the recipe!
Kitchen Ready Betty says
They always disappear fast here too. Tripling sounds like a good idea...maybe they will fit in a lasagna pan? This recipe is so easy to double or triple because it's so easy to make (and eat!).