These easy ham and cheese sliders with poppy seed sauce are the perfect appetizer or main dish recipe for game day, parties or the holidays. The best way to use up any leftover ham!

Whenever we have leftover ham from the holidays, this is one of my favorite ways to use it up. It’s such a quick and easy appetizer idea that everyone always loves. The ham adds the best flavor! I also love to make potato and ham soup or a ham and broccoli frittata.

This “fancy” ham and cheese sliders recipe is one that you’ll want to bookmark! I know you’re probably thinking… ham and cheese rolls? Really? I promise this fun twist makes them absolutely delicious. My mom has made them for awhile now, and they are always a big hit! She always makes them with leftover ham and dinner rolls from the holidays. They taste best fresh out of the oven while the cheese is still nice and melty! MMM…. can’t wait to make these again soon. ;) 

How to make ham and cheese sliders

ROLLS. Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally using a large bread knife, keeping the rolls connected to each other while cutting. Then remove the top section and place on a cutting board.

ASSEMBLE. Add bottom roll section to baking dish, then spread mayo on insides of both the bottom and top sections. Place ham and slices of cheese on each roll in bottom section. Then add top roll section over the cheese slices and evenly match up with bottom rolls.

SAUCE. Pour the poppy seed sauce evenly over the ham sliders. Let sit about 10 minutes for sauce to soak in. Then cover with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes. Uncover and cook additional 2 minutes, or until top of rolls are brown. Serve while warm!

Poppy seed sauce for ham sliders

This poppy seed sauce adds such delicious flavor to the Hawaiian roll sliders! It takes them from ordinary to extraordinary. Trust me, you don’t want to skip out on it! If you don’t have all of the ingredients needed to make it, you can simply brush on some melted butter prior to baking. You could even add some garlic or other spices.

1. WHISK together the butter, mustard, Worcestershire, onion powder and poppy seeds in a small bowl.
2. POUR the sauce evenly over all of the ham sliders.
3. LET SIT for about 10 minutes, until the sauce soaks in.

Note: You can also pour the sauce on the inside instead of over top. Then wrap with foil and place the sliders on the grill for about 5 minutes until melted.

Make ahead + freezing

Making in advance: Assemble them with the mayo, ham and slices of cheese. Cover with foil and place in the fridge. Make the dressing ahead of time too, however hold off on adding it. The next day, pour dressing over the sliders and let soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden.

Freezing: After baking, let cool and wrap them individually foil. Freeze in an airtight zip top bag or container. Allow time to thaw before reheating.

More easy appetizer ideas:

• Meatball sliders
• Garlic parmesan pigs in a blanket
• Bacon ranch deviled eggs
• Crockpot BBQ meatballs

Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ham and cheese sliders

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 262

Author: Jamielyn Nye

These easy ham and cheese sliders with poppy seed sauce are the perfect appetizer or main dish recipe for game day, parties or the holidays. The best way to use up any leftover ham!

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Ingredients

• 12 Hawaiian dinner rolls
• 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
• 12 slices deli ham (or leftover ham)
• 6 slices swiss cheese (cut in half)
• 1/4 cup butter (melted)
• 1/2 Tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon onion powder (or minced onions)
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13" baking dish.
• Slice Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally using a large bread knife. Make sure to keep the rolls connected to each other while cutting. Once sliced, remove the top section and place on a cutting board. 
• Add bottom section to your baking dish. Spread mayo onto the insides of both the bottom and top sections. Then place a slice of ham and cheese on each roll in the bottom section. Add top roll section back to baking dish and evenly match up.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and poppy seeds. Pour evenly over all of the rolls. Let sit about 10 minutes for sauce to soak in. 
• Cover ham sliders with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 2 minutes to brown the top of the rolls. Best served while warm. 

Video

Notes

Another fun way to make these is to put the poppyseed sauce in the inside, wrap with foil and place on the grill until melted, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 500mg | Potassium: 90mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Enjoy!