Introduction

These baked ham and cheese sliders are the perfect game day or party snack, combining sweet rolls with savory layers of ham, cheddar, and Swiss cheese. Topped with a flavorful buttery poppy seed sauce, they come out warm, melty, and irresistible every time.

A close-up view of five small sandwiches stacked on a white plate with a scalloped edge, each sandwich made of soft, golden-brown bread rolls sprinkled with poppy seeds on top. Each sandwich has two layers inside: thin slices of pink ham in the middle and melted cheese, with one layer of bright yellow cheddar cheese beneath the ham and another layer of pale, creamy cheese above it, visible at the edges. The sandwiches have a soft, fluffy texture, and the melted cheese slightly oozes out, creating a warm and inviting look. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and there is a blurry glass of amber liquid and a stack of white plates in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 package King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls (12-count)
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 pound thinly-sliced deli ham (such as Black Forest)
1/4 pound deli-sliced sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 pound deli-sliced Swiss cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch kosher salt (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard to make the slider spread. Set aside.
Step 2: Using a serrated bread knife, slice the slider buns in half to separate the tops from the bottoms. Place them cut side up on a baking sheet.
Step 3: Preheat your oven’s broiler to high with the rack about 6 inches from the broiler element. Broil the cut sides of the rolls for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle position. Lightly spray a glass or light-colored ceramic baking dish with cooking spray. If using a darker pan, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
Step 5: Place the bottom halves of the toasted rolls in the baking dish. Spread a little more than half of the Dijon-mayo mixture over them.
Step 6: Layer the cheddar cheese, then ham, then Swiss cheese on top of the spread. Spread the remaining Dijon-mayo on the toasted sides of the top roll halves, then place them over the Swiss cheese layer.
Step 7: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, onion powder, and a pinch of salt if using. Pour this mixture evenly over the tops and sides of the sliders using a brush.
Step 8: Cover the dish with foil and let the sliders stand for 5 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted. Remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden and crispy, watching carefully.
Step 9: Let the sliders rest a few minutes before cutting into individual servings. Serve warm with your favorite sandwich sides like fries or chips.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a thin layer of honey mustard or a slice of tomato inside each slider.
Use different cheeses such as provolone or mozzarella for a milder taste.
If you prefer a spicier kick, mix a little hot sauce into the Dijonnaise spread.
To make ahead, assemble sliders and refrigerate before baking; add an extra few minutes to baking time if baking cold.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through to retain crispness, or microwave briefly if in a hurry, but the rolls may soften.

How to Serve

A white baking dish holds nine small sandwiches arranged in a 3x3 grid, each with soft, golden-brown slider buns topped with black poppy seeds. One sandwich is lifted by a metal spatula held by a woman's hand, showing layers inside—the top bun with poppy seeds, melted light yellow cheese, thin slices of pink ham, a layer of melted orange cheddar cheese, and the soft bottom bun. The buns have a slightly shiny, smooth texture, contrasting with the gooey, melted cheese and folded ham inside. The dish sits on a clean white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of roll?

Yes, you can substitute King’s Hawaiian rolls with any soft sweet or dinner rolls that can hold fillings well. Just adjust toasting and baking times as needed.

How do I prevent the sliders from becoming soggy?

To avoid soggy sliders, toast the cut sides of the rolls before assembling and apply the Dijon-mayo spread evenly but not excessively. Also, broiling the tops at the end helps crisp the rolls.