These ham and cheese sliders are the best for game day parties. Ham and cheese are layered in Hawaiian rolls, brushed with a poppyseed butter sauce, baked and served hot!

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Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
Whenever we have leftover dinner rolls, baked ham or crockpot spiral ham from the holidays, ham and cheese sliders are one of my favorite ways to use it up. It’s such a quick and easy appetizer idea that everyone always loves.
If you have time, you can make this Hawaiian rolls recipe, too! They taste best hot right out of the oven when the melty cheese is still fresh!
“That poppyseed sauce was soooo good! I made these with provolone and my husband LOVED them. He said that sauce put them over the top – thank you!”
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Hawaiian rolls: Hawaiian rolls adds a hint of sweetness that pairs well with the savory ham and butter.
- Ham: Honey ham or a smoky ham are great, but sliced deli ham works great too.
- Cheese: Swiss cheese is a classic choice with ham, although mozzarella or provolone work, too.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a slight tang and another layer of flavor.
- Poppyseed butter sauce: Melted butter, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and poppy seeds.
How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders
Sweet Hawaiian buns, salty ham, melty cheese and a savory butter sauce with crunchy poppy seeds, it’s no wonder that this hot ham and cheese sliders recipe are a favorite!
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.
Add bottom roll section to baking dish, then spread mayo on insides of both the bottom and top sections. Layer the ham and slices of cheese on each bottom half of the rolls.
Whisk together the butter, mustard, Worcestershire, onion powder and poppy seeds in a small bowl. Pour or brush the butter mixture evenly over the ham sliders. Let sit about 10 minutes for sauce to soak in. Then cover the pan with foil and bake sliders in the oven until the cheese is melted.
Tips and Variations
- Other meat: Try cranberry turkey sliders or your favorite deli meat, like roast beef and cheddar or salami and provolone.
- Grill: 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.
- Cheese options: These can be made with cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, American, pepper jack or your favorite!
- Make ahead: Assemble with the mayo, ham, and slices of cheese. Cover with foil and place in the fridge. Make the dressing, but don’t add it until you are ready to bake. The next day, pour poppyseed butter sauce over the sliders, soak for 10 minutes, and bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden.
Sliders are so versatile and always a favorite. Also try Hawaiian roll breakfast sliders, BBQ pork sliders, cheeseburger sliders or buffalo chicken sliders.
More Easy Appetizer Ideas
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Video
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian dinner rolls
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 12 slices deli ham , or leftover ham
- 6 slices swiss cheese , cut in half
- 4-6 Tablespoons butter , melted
- ½ Tablespoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2-1 teaspoon onion powder , or minced onions
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9×13" baking dish. Slice 12 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.
- Assemble. Add bottom section to your baking dish. Spread 2 Tablespoons mayo onto the insides of both the bottom and top sections. Then place 12 slices of ham and 6 slices Swiss cheese on each roll in the bottom section. Add top roll section back to baking dish and evenly match up.
- Butter sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 4-6 Tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 Tablespoon mustard, 1/4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon poppy seeds. The more butter the gooey they will be. 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.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Troy
Always a favorite on GameDay. I substitute poppy seeds with everything bagel seasoning really adds a lot of flavor
I Heart Naptime Community
That sounds delicious Troy! I’ll have to try that sometime. So glad you enjoyed the sliders!!
Tim Bachorz
We made these last night and they were great. I used Tavern ham and baby swiss. Followed instructions to the T except I added 1/2 teaspoonful of garlic powder. Perfect!
I Heart Naptime Community
I’m glad you enjoyed the sliders Tim! It’s such an easy and yummy recipe :)
Shauna Phillips
A family favorite! Everyone goes crazy when they see these on the menu.
Cheryl
Thank you for this recipe! I had leftover Hawaiian rolls so I made this today with 4 and cooked it in the air fryer. Also, I didn’t have poppy seeds so I used sesame seeds instead. These were really good and easy to make.
Mariana
Made these for Labor Day BBQ and they were such a hit and so simple but tasty!
Allison Maracle
Very easy to make and so delicious.
Thank you for sharing.
Lynne Ivey
Served these at a family gathering and everyone loved them! They disappeared quickly!!!
I Heart Naptime
Yay! That is a double when! I am so glad that everyone enjoyed them and they ate them all. That is a great gathering. Thanks for sharing!
AME
Hi, Honey, can these be made earlier before a meal and refrigerators until needed?
Jamielyn Nye
Yes they can. I typically wait to pour the sauce over, but if you don’t mind the bottoms a little soft you can add before.
Debbie
My entire family raved about this recipe and we have some picky eaters! Will be making again for sure.
Sherry Nichols
Made these and they were great
Faye
We like it a lot. Great to make for a quick meal.
NELLIE White WALTHERS
Added dill seasoning and sprinkle of celery seeds. Delicious!!
Jamielyn Nye
Thanks for sharing!
Sharilyn
How many are a serving?
Sunnie @ I Heart Naptime
Sharilyn, the recipe is for 12 but that means there are only 12 individual Hawaiian rolls. If you think your family members or guests would enjoying having 2 or more each then this would serve less. You can also adjust the serving size at the top of the recipe card so you could double or triple the batch. Hope that helps.
Mackenzie
So yummy! This is a huge hit with our family. I didn’t have poppy seeds but still turned out great. Thanks for the recipe!
I Heart Naptime
You are so welcome, Mackenzie! So glad it was a hit with your family!
Mae Esh
Outstanding!So easy, so yummy! It’s my Go-To for any gathering!!
I Heart Naptime
Glad to hear the recipe was a hit! :)
Laurie
The rolls come in a white container. I carefully take down the sides of the container. I make the rolls up and put the top roll on. I cut them all the way through. I put the sides of the container back up. I put the sauce on. I wrap the whole thing in aluminum foil and bake.
Much easier to cut ahead of baking.
Laurie
Wrap entirely! Put on cookie sheet.
I Heart Naptime
Great tip!
Becky B
I love how easy this recipe is to make! And my kids enjoyed it!
Emily Koplin
My husband made these sliders and they were amazing! They were added as one of our go-to recipes.
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! :)