What’s the one party food that always disappears first? You know the one—warm, soft, buttery, and packed with savory goodness. It’s the Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Slider! Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, a holiday party, or just need a quick and easy weeknight dinner that the kids will beg for, these sliders are the answer.

Contents

Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Rolls and Oven
Step 2: Assemble the Sliders
Step 3: Make the Butter Glaze
Step 4: Glaze and Rest
Step 5: Bake to Melty Perfection
Step 6: Serve Warm

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1: Can I make these ahead of time?
Q2: Can I use a different type of cheese?
Q3: Do I have to use poppy seeds?
Q4: Can I use turkey instead of ham?

The Tastiest Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders (Party Favorite!)

Description
Ingredients

For the Sliders:
For the Savory Butter Glaze:

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This recipe takes the classic combination of sweet honey ham and nutty Swiss cheese and nestles it inside fluffy Hawaiian sweet rolls. But the real magic is in the topping: a savory, buttery glaze spiked with poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, and onion powder that bakes into a golden, flavorful crust. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory in every single bite. Get ready to make the most requested appetizer in your recipe box!

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing dish. The key is the balance between the sweet rolls and the savory glaze.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity	Notes
For the Sliders:
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls	1 package (12 count)	King’s Hawaiian is the classic choice
Deli Honey Ham	24 slices	Thinly sliced works best
Swiss Cheese	6 slices	Cut into fourths to fit the rolls
Mayonnaise	1/3 cup	Adds creaminess and moisture
For the Savory Butter Glaze:
Salted Butter, melted	1/2 cup (1 stick)
Dijon Mustard	1 1/2 tablespoons	Adds a tangy kick
Poppy Seeds	1 tablespoon	For texture and flavor
Onion Powder	1 tablespoon
Worcestershire Sauce	1/2 teaspoon	Adds depth and umami

Timing

These sliders come together incredibly fast, making them perfect for last-minute entertaining or a quick meal.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes (before baking)
Total Time: Approximately 40 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create warm, melty, and delicious sliders that are perfect for feeding a crowd.

Step 1: Prep the Rolls and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Keep the 12 rolls attached and slice them in half horizontally using a long serrated bread knife. You should have one large “slab” of tops and one large “slab” of bottoms. Place the bottom slab into a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Actionable Tip: Don’t separate the rolls individually before slicing! Keeping them connected makes assembly much faster and easier.

Step 2: Assemble the Sliders

Spread the mayonnaise evenly over the cut side of the bottom slab of rolls. Layer a slice or two of folded deli ham onto each roll. Top the ham with the quartered slices of Swiss cheese. Place the slab of roll tops back over the cheese layer.

Actionable Tip: Folding the ham slices rather than laying them flat creates more height and texture in your sliders.

Step 3: Make the Butter Glaze

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.

Actionable Tip: Make sure the butter isn’t piping hot when you mix it, or the sauce might separate slightly. Warm is perfect.

Step 4: Glaze and Rest

Pour or brush the savory butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls. Use a pastry brush to ensure every roll is coated and the excess drips down the sides and into the cracks. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Actionable Tip: This resting time is crucial! It allows the buttery glaze to soak into the bread, ensuring the rolls are flavorful and moist, not dry.

Step 5: Bake to Melty Perfection

Bake the covered sliders in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 2 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the tops are slightly browned and crisp.

Actionable Tip: Watch closely during the uncovered baking time to prevent the tops from burning. You want them golden and toasty.

Step 6: Serve Warm

Remove from the oven and let cool for a minute or two. Cut the sliders apart along the natural lines of the rolls and serve warm.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is an estimate per slider and can vary based on specific brands used.

Calories: Approx. 200-250 kcal
Protein: 8-10 g
Carbohydrates: 15-18 g
Fat: 12-15 g
Saturated Fat: 6-8 g
Sodium: 400-500 mg

Healthier Alternatives

While these are a comfort food treat, you can make a few adjustments:

Meat: Use low-sodium turkey breast instead of honey ham.
Cheese: Swap full-fat Swiss for a reduced-fat cheese slice.
Butter: Reduce the butter in the glaze to 1/4 cup, or use a light butter substitute.
Bread: Look for whole wheat slider buns, though the flavor profile will change slightly from the classic sweet rolls.

Serving Suggestions

These Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders are incredibly versatile!

Party Platter: Serve them on a large platter for game days, Super Bowl parties, or birthday celebrations.
Easy Dinner: Pair 2-3 sliders with a fresh green salad or some coleslaw for a complete meal.
Breakfast: Swap the ham for cooked sausage patties and add a layer of scrambled eggs for breakfast sliders!
Soup Side: They are delicious dipped in tomato soup or a hearty vegetable chowder.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For the best sliders, avoid these common pitfalls:

Soggy Bottoms: If you pour too much glaze or let them sit too long before baking (like overnight), the bottom buns can get soggy. Solution: Stick to the 10-minute rest time before baking.
Burnt Tops: The sugar in the sweet rolls can burn quickly. Solution: Keep the foil on for the first 10 minutes of baking to protect the tops, only uncovering at the very end to crisp up.
Separating Rolls Early: Cutting the rolls individually before filling makes assembly tedious and messy. Solution: Keep the rolls connected in a slab until after they are baked.

Storing Tips

These sliders are best eaten fresh and warm, but leftovers can be saved!

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Reheat: To reheat, wrap individual sliders or the whole batch in foil and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. The microwave works in a pinch (30 seconds), but the bread will be softer.
Freezing: You can freeze the baked sliders. Wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven.

Conclusion

There is a reason these Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders are a viral sensation and a party staple. The combination of sweet, fluffy rolls, savory ham and cheese, and that irresistible poppy seed butter glaze creates a flavor explosion that is hard to beat. They are easy to make, fun to eat, and always the first thing to disappear from the table.

Ready to be the hero of your next potluck? Give this recipe a try and let us know how much everyone loved them in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy, crowd-pleasing ideas!

FAQs

Q1: Can I make these ahead of time?

You can assemble the sliders (without the glaze) a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Add the butter glaze right before you bake them. If you glaze them too early and let them sit in the fridge, the bread may become soggy.

Q2: Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While Swiss is classic, these sliders are delicious with Provolone, Cheddar, Havarti, or even Pepper Jack for a spicy kick.

Q3: Do I have to use poppy seeds?

No, the poppy seeds add a nice texture and nutty flavor, but you can omit them if you don’t have them. You could substitute with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning for a fun twist.

Q4: Can I use turkey instead of ham?

Yes! Smoked turkey or roast turkey deli meat works wonderfully in this recipe and pairs perfectly with the Swiss cheese and poppy seed dressing.