Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

These sliders came into my life on a random Sunday afternoon when I had a serious craving for something warm, cheesy, and a little ridiculous. I had Hawaiian rolls sitting on the counter, leftover ham in the fridge, and a sudden burst of “let’s pile all the cheese on and see what happens” energy.

I wasn’t expecting perfection—just something gooey and comforting—but somehow these little ham-and-cheese bundles became a full-on revelation.

Sticky, buttery, sweet, and salty all at once. Basically, snack heaven in a pan.

Why I Keep Making This Dish (The Real Reasons)

• Comfort Level Maxed: Warm cheese + sweet rolls = instant happy.
• Quick to Assemble: Like 5 minutes, then the oven does the work.
• Feeds a Crowd: One pan makes a dozen sliders—easy party magic.
• Leftover Hero: Uses up deli ham like a boss.
• Looks Fancy, Isn’t: People think you slaved, but it’s mostly butter and love.
• Perfectly Gooey: Cheese melt is non-negotiable.
• Snack or Meal: Works for lunch, dinner, or midnight cravings.

Tips I Learned the Hard Way

• Slice the Rolls as a Whole Slab: Slicing individually? Chaos. Keep them connected.
• Butter Mixture Matters: Don’t skimp; it’s what makes the tops golden and flavorful.
• Cover While Baking: Keeps cheese melty and rolls soft.
• Watch the Oven: The tops go from perfect to burnt faster than you think.
• Let Them Rest a Bit: Even 5 minutes makes slicing neater.
• Layer Wisely: Ham-cheese-ham is my personal favorite.
• Pan Size Affects Time: Adjust baking slightly if your pan is bigger or smaller.

Variations You Can Mess Around With

• Change the Cheese: Cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack for a twist.
• Add Pickles: Sweet or dill, tucked inside for a zing.
• Spicy Kick: Spread a thin layer of mustard or sriracha inside.
• Herb Butter: Swap plain butter for garlic-herb butter on top.
• Turkey or Roast Beef: Works just as well if you’re out of ham.
• Mini Sliders: Use smaller rolls for party bites.
• Sweet & Savory: Add pineapple slices inside for a tropical surprise.

How To Make Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls?

Ingredients

• 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 rolls)
• ¾ pound cooked deli ham, thinly sliced
• ¾ pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Step 2:
Slice the rolls in half as a whole slab—top and bottom—don’t separate individually. Place the bottom slab in the prepared pan.

Step 3:
Layer half of the ham over the rolls, then all of the cheese, then the remaining ham. Top with the top slab of rolls.

Step 4:
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, about 1 minute. Stir in mustard, poppy seeds, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over the rolls, spreading gently with a spatula.

Step 5:
Cover with foil and let sit for 5–10 minutes at room temperature. Bake covered for 20 minutes until the cheese melts.

Step 6:
Uncover and bake 3–5 more minutes to brown the tops. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.

Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls are soft, buttery, and gooey little sandwiches layered with deli ham and Swiss cheese, topped with a flavorful butter mixture, and baked until golden.

Perfect for parties, game nights, or quick weeknight meals, these sliders are simple to make and always a hit.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Resting time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Calories: 257

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls 12 rolls
• ¾ pound cooked deli ham thinly sliced
• ¾ pound Swiss cheese thinly sliced
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Slice the rolls in half as a whole slab—top and bottom—don’t separate individually. Place the bottom slab in the prepared pan.
3. Layer half of the ham over the rolls, then all of the cheese, then the remaining ham. Top with the top slab of rolls.
4. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, about 1 minute. Stir in mustard, poppy seeds, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over the rolls, spreading gently with a spatula.
5. Cover with foil and let sit for 5–10 minutes at room temperature. Bake covered for 20 minutes until the cheese melts.
6. Uncover and bake 3–5 more minutes to brown the tops. Slice into individual sliders and serve warm.

Notes

These sliders are a perfect reminder that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sticky, cheesy, buttery, and slightly sweet—they’re proof that a few simple ingredients and a little butter can make magic happen.

Warm, fast, and crowd-pleasing: what’s not to love?

Nutritional Information

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive

How I Like to Serve This

• Hot and gooey straight from the pan.
• With a side of chips or pickles for crunch.
• At casual parties or game nights.
• For a quick lunch with a salad.
• With extra Dijon mustard for dipping.
• When I want to feel like a sandwich wizard.

Storage, Leftovers, and Next-Day Thoughts

• Fridge Friendly: Keep in an airtight container for 1–2 days.
• Reheat Gently: Microwave or oven, a little butter helps.
• Best Fresh: Nothing beats the straight-from-the-oven gooeyness.
• Slice After Cooling Slightly: Less messy.
• Do Not Freeze: Sweet rolls and melted cheese don’t handle it well.

FAQs (Real Questions People Actually Ask)

Can I use regular rolls instead of Hawaiian?
You can, but Hawaiian adds the sweet balance to ham and cheese.

Can I prep them ahead?
Yes, assemble and cover in the fridge, then bake when ready.

Do I have to use Swiss cheese?
Not at all—cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack are all tasty.

Can I make smaller sliders?
Absolutely. Perfect for parties or kids.

What if I don’t have poppy seeds?
They add texture and a little flavor, but you can skip.

Is it okay to use deli turkey or roast beef?
Yes, any thinly sliced deli meat works.

Do I need to cover the rolls while baking?
Yes, it keeps the cheese melty and the tops soft.