When it comes to ham and cheese sliders, I often crave something warm, gooey, and oh-so-comforting. These little sandwiches pack a ton of flavor between soft rolls, making them perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a movie night or just a quick bite.
This ham and cheese sliders recipe focuses on preventing soggy bread, achieving well-melted cheese, speeding preparation, and allowing ingredient flexibility for easy adjustments.
I know firsthand how tricky it can be to get that right balance where the bread doesn’t turn soggy and the cheese melts just right. Trust me, I’ve had my share of kitchen mishaps when whipping these up for my family and friends, but this recipe stands out. It’s become a reliable go-to when I’m short on time and need a crowd-pleaser.
This recipe shines because it combines essential ingredients to deliver ultimate satisfaction in just about an hour. The warm, buttery tops and melted cheese create that cozy feeling you want, especially when maybe you forgot to plan dinner until the last minute. If you’re looking for another easy meal, check out my Honey Garlic Chicken Breast.
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is not gluten-free due to the slider buns containing wheat flour.
- The recipe contains cheese and butter, so it is unsuitable for dairy-free diets.
- This recipe is not vegan because of ham, cheese, and butter included in the ingredients.
- The ham and cheese sliders are not vegetarian friendly as the recipe contains ham.
- This recipe is nut-free and suitable for those with nut allergies due to absence of nuts in ingredients.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Mouthwatering Layers These ham and cheese sliders feature soft white rolls that soak up all the flavors, creating a satisfying bite. With layers of savory ham and melty Swiss cheese, every slider delivers a taste that’s hard to resist.
- Perfect for Gathering Whether it’s game day or a family get-together, these sliders are a hit. They can be made in a batch, ensuring there’s plenty to go around, making serving easy and stress-free.
- Ready in No Time In just an hour, you can whip up a hot batch of sliders. With a prep time of 20 minutes and straightforward steps, you won’t be stuck in the kitchen for long.
- Flexible Ingredients This recipe allows for easy adjustments based on what you have on hand. Substitute different cheeses or use leftover meats to make it your own, giving you plenty of options to try each time.
How To Make Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cool Time: Not applicable
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings (standard rolls) or 24 servings (small rolls) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Delicious hot ham and cheese sliders baked to perfection with savory butter and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 slab soft white roll (23x33 cm / 9x13 in) or 12 standard rolls (or 24 small rolls)
- 350 g (12 oz) to 500 g (1 lb) thinly sliced ham, deli-style (honey-glazed or smoked varieties optional)
- 250 g (8 oz) Swiss cheese slices (10–12 slices) or substitute cheddar cheese as needed
- 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp (total 7 tbsp) American mustard
- 1/4 finely chopped onion (optional)
- 1 tbsp poppyseeds (optional; sesame seeds can substitute)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) and allow it to heat fully. Line your baking pan with foil or parchment paper for easy clean-up and to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: Make Savory Butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter (100 g / 7 tbsp) with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, finely chopped 1/4 onion (if using), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir well to blend flavors evenly.
- Step 3: Assemble Your Sliders: Slice the soft white roll slab horizontally in half or halve the standard rolls. Spread the mustard evenly on the cut side of each half using all of the 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp (7 tbsp) mustard. Layer the ham (350-500 g / 12 oz-1 lb) evenly over the mustard, then add 250 g (10-12 slices) Swiss cheese slices on top of the ham. Place the assembled bottom and top rolls together carefully in the baking pan.
- Step 4: Bake Covered: Cover the pan loosely with foil to trap steam and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. This will help cheese melt evenly and keep the rolls soft.
- Step 5: Soak with Butter: Remove the sliders from the oven and drizzle the savory butter mixture evenly over the top. If you skipped onion in the butter, just use the garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce blend in melted butter. Sprinkle 1 tbsp poppyseeds over the top (optional).
- Step 6: Bake Uncovered: Return the sliders to the oven uncovered. Bake until the tops turn golden brown and crispy, approximately 20 more minutes. If you notice the tops browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 20 minutes to avoid burning.
- Step 7: Serve Hot: Remove from oven, cut into individual sliders, and serve immediately while the cheese is melty and the bread is soft yet crisp on top.
Notes
- Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store sliders in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Cover to maintain moisture and freshness.
- Refrigeration: For up to 5 days, place sliders in an airtight container and refrigerate. Warm gently before serving to remelt cheese.
- Freezing: Wrap sliders individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in a freezer container up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- Expert Tips
- If cheese is not melting after 10 minutes, check oven temperature and quality of Swiss cheese slices. Using good quality cheese will ensure proper melt and creamy texture.
- To prevent soggy bread, spread the full measurement of mustard (7 tbsp total) evenly on the rolls before layering ham and cheese. Mustard acts as a moisture barrier.
- Add 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce to the butter and onion topping mixture before brushing onto the sliders to deepen flavor.
- If the ham is too salty, rinse slices briefly under cold water before assembling to balance the overall flavor.
- When slider tops brown too fast, loosely cover with foil after 20 minutes of uncovered baking to protect from burning and allow thorough cooking inside.
- Reheating Instructions
- Warm refrigerated sliders gently in an oven or toaster oven to remelt cheese and restore crispness. Maintain 350°F (180°C) temperature for a brief reheating period until warm throughout.
- Serving Suggestions
- Serve sliders with a side of coleslaw or fresh cucumber salad to balance richness.
- Pair with sweet potato fries or roasted Brussels sprouts for variety.
- Add fresh pickle slices or a drizzle of hot sauce for an additional flavor kick.
- For variations, top with spicy mustard or a thin drizzle of honey to customize the flavor profile.
- Recipe Variations
- Substitute Swiss cheese with cheddar slices for different creamy textures.
- Use small Hawaiian-style rolls for best flavor absorption and fluffy texture.
- Incorporate leftover meats or different cheese varieties as preferred within the 350-500 g ham range and 250 g cheese measurement.
- Poppyseeds can be replaced with sesame seeds for a different crunch and flavor.
- Ingredient Notes
- Select soft, white rolls approximately 23×33 cm (9×13 in) for slab style or individual standard slider rolls. Hawaiian rolls are ideal for texture and flavor.
- Use thinly sliced deli ham; smoked or honey-glazed variants add complexity but remain within 350-500 g (12 oz to 1 lb) range.
- Unsalted butter is essential to control overall seasoning and prevent excess saltiness.
- Garlic powder enhances flavor subtly without overpowering; fresh garlic can be used but is not specified in amounts.
- Mustard quantity totaled precisely at 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons (7 tbsp) to ensure barrier and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Slider buns: Choose soft, Hawaiian-style rolls for the best flavor and texture. They absorb the buttery goodness well and stay fluffy.
- Ham: Look for thinly sliced deli ham for easy layering. Honey-glazed or smoked varieties add an extra layer of flavor.
- Cheese: Use Swiss or cheddar cheese slices. Both melt beautifully, adding creaminess that ties the sliders together.
- Butter: Opt for unsalted butter, as it’s easier to control the overall flavor. Melt it for brushing to help the sliders brown nicely.
- Garlic powder: This ingredient boosts flavor without overpowering. It adds depth that complements the ham and cheese perfectly.
- Poppy seeds: These add a nice crunch and visual appeal. For a different flavor, sesame seeds are a great substitute.
Recipe Tips
- If your cheese isn’t melting, check after 10 minutes of baking and ensure you’re using good quality Swiss cheese slices to achieve the right creaminess.
- For soggy bread after baking, add a layer of mustard evenly, using 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons, to create a barrier that helps keep the bread drier.
- If your sliders lack flavor, incorporate 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce in the melted butter and onion topping mixture for a rich depth, especially when brushing them before baking.
- When the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil 20 minutes into baking to prevent burning while allowing the inside to cook thoroughly.
- If the ham is too salty, consider rinsing the slices briefly under cold water before layering them, which can help balance the overall flavor in your sliders.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad. Pair with sweet potato fries or roasted Brussels sprouts for variety.
Use to make a ham and cheese sandwich or a breakfast casserole. Add to a cheese board or pasta salad for extra flavor.
Top with spicy mustard or a drizzle of honey. Serve with fresh pickle slices or a side of hot sauce for added kick.
Recipe variations
- You can use turkey instead of ham for ham and cheese sliders by adding 350g/12 oz sliced turkey. Add 1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp mustard for tang. Either Swiss or cheddar cheese work well. Double the recipe for 24 sliders.
- You can add caramelized onions instead of raw onion by cooking 1/4 cup finely chopped onions slowly in butter. Add 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 1 tsp garlic powder. Either yellow or shallots can be used. Use 500g/1 lb ham for extra filling.
- You can use different cheese such as cheddar, provolone, or mozzarella instead of Swiss. Add the same 250g/8 oz measured cheese slices. Either Swiss or substituted cheese melts well in this recipe. Adjust baking times slightly when doubling the batch.
- You can add a smoky flavor by mixing 1 tbsp smoked paprika into the butter sauce. Add 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 1 tsp garlic powder as usual. Either smoked or regular ham works fine. Scale ingredients to serve up to 24 sliders if needed.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your ham and cheese sliders fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store sliders in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. Keep covered to maintain moisture and freshness.
Refrigeration: Place sliders in an airtight container inside the refrigerator up to 5 days. Warm gently before serving to melt cheese.
Freezing: Wrap sliders individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in a freezer container up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
- Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks
- Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Breast
If you enjoyed this How To Make Ham and Cheese Sliders or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
