Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe

Of all the recipes in my arsenal, the one that disappears the fastest, gathers the most “oohs” and “aahs,” and is requested for every single family gathering, tailgate, and casual Tuesday night is this one: The Ultimate Ham and Cheese Sliders. The first time I made them, I almost made a critical error. I only made one batch. My husband took one bite, his eyes widened, and he immediately declared that these were “the best things he’d ever eaten.” The kids, usually picky, devoured them without a word. The entire tray was gone in less than ten minutes, leaving a few sad poppy seeds and a lingering, delicious, buttery aroma in its wake. Now, I know better. I always make a double batch, because these aren’t just sandwiches; they’re an event. They are the epitome of comfort food—soft, sweet rolls cradling savory ham and gooey, melted Swiss cheese, all drenched in a gloriously addictive, buttery poppy seed sauce. They are simple to make, yet they taste like a gourmet treat. Welcome to your new favorite recipe.

The Irresistible Allure of Ham and Cheese Sliders

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s talk about why this particular recipe for Ham and Cheese Sliders is a cut above the rest. It’s more than just a simple sandwich; it’s a culinary masterpiece of textures and flavors that has become a staple for countless occasions.

• Effortlessly Easy: This is a recipe for everyone, from the novice cook to the seasoned kitchen pro. The steps are straightforward, and it requires minimal active cooking time. The oven does most of the work for you.
• A Certified Crowd-Pleaser: It’s almost impossible to find someone who doesn’t love these sliders. They appeal to all ages, making them perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and kids’ parties. They are the first thing to vanish from any buffet table.
• Perfectly Portioned: The individual slider format makes them ideal for grabbing and mingling. There’s no need for plates or cutlery, making them the ultimate party and game-day food.
• Make-Ahead Magic: One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can assemble the entire dish hours in advance and simply pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve, freeing you up to enjoy your own party.
• Incredibly Versatile: While the classic ham and Swiss combination is iconic, this recipe serves as a fantastic base for customization. You can easily swap out the meat, cheese, or even elements of the sauce to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

These sliders are affectionately known by many names—Funeral Sandwiches (due to their popularity as a comforting dish for gatherings), Party Ham Sandwiches, or Hawaiian Roll Sliders. Whatever you call them, they are guaranteed to be a showstopper.

Complete Recipe: The Ultimate Ham and Cheese Sliders

This recipe is designed for a standard 12-count package of Hawaiian rolls. If you are serving a larger crowd, I strongly recommend doubling the recipe and using a larger baking dish or two separate ones.

Ingredients

Here is everything you will need to create these mouthwatering sliders.

• For the Sliders:
  • 1 (12-count) package King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Do not separate the rolls.
  • 1 pound thinly sliced deli ham: Black Forest or honey ham works wonderfully.
  • ½ pound (8 slices) Swiss cheese: Provolone or mild cheddar are great substitutes.
• For the Savory Butter Sauce:
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish.
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard: This adds a tangy, complex flavor that cuts through the richness.
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds: These add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce: This is the secret ingredient for a deep, savory, umami flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion or ¼ teaspoon onion powder: Provides a savory aromatic base without the texture of fresh onion.
  • Pinch of salt (optional): Taste the sauce before adding, as the ham and cheese are already salty.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Sliders

Follow these detailed instructions carefully to ensure your sliders come out perfectly golden, cheesy, and delicious every time.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the sliders from sticking to the bottom and make cleanup much easier.

Step 2: Slice the Rolls
Take the entire slab of King’s Hawaiian rolls out of the package. Do not pull them apart into individual rolls. Place the slab on a cutting board. Using a long, serrated bread knife, carefully slice the entire slab of rolls in half horizontally, creating a top bun slab and a bottom bun slab. It’s like you’re creating one giant sandwich bun. Place the entire bottom slab of rolls into your prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Layer the Ham
Layer the thinly sliced ham evenly over the bottom slab of rolls. Don’t be shy here; a generous layer of ham is key. I like to fold the slices slightly to create more texture and height. Ensure the ham covers the rolls from edge to edge.

Step 4: Layer the Cheese
Next, place the slices of Swiss cheese on top of the ham layer. Again, ensure the cheese covers the entire surface. The goal is to have melted, gooey cheese in every single bite. If your cheese slices are large, you may need to slightly overlap them.

Step 5: Top the Sliders
Place the top slab of rolls directly over the cheese layer, lining it up with the bottom slab to complete your giant sandwich.

Step 6: Prepare the Savory Butter Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the ½ cup of unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Once the butter is completely melted, remove it from the heat. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, and dried minced onion until everything is well combined. The sauce should be fragrant and emulsified.

Step 7: Drizzle the Sauce
Now for the best part. Slowly and evenly pour the entire butter sauce mixture over the top of the sliders. Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to spread the sauce, making sure to cover the entire surface and let it drip down the sides. The poppy seeds and minced onion should be distributed evenly across the tops of the rolls. This sauce is what transforms the sliders from good to unforgettable.

Step 8: Let it Rest (Optional but Recommended)
If you have time, let the sliders sit for 5-10 minutes before baking. This allows the butter sauce to soak into the nooks and crannies of the sweet rolls, infusing them with incredible flavor.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. This prevents the tops of the rolls from browning too quickly and burning before the cheese has a chance to melt completely. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Step 10: The Final Bake
After 15 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Place the dish back in the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the tops of the sliders are a beautiful golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. You may see some cheese oozing out the sides—this is a very good sign!

Step 11: Rest and Serve
Remove the sliders from the oven and let them rest in the pan for a few minutes. This helps the cheese set up slightly, making them less messy to cut and serve. Using a knife, follow the natural separations of the rolls to cut them into individual sliders. Serve immediately while they are warm and gooey.

Nutrition Facts

Please note that these nutritional values are an estimate and can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used.

• Servings: 12 sliders
• Calories per serving (1 slider): Approximately 280-320 kcal

Breakdown per slider (approximate):

• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 13g
• Sodium: 650mg

Preparation Time

This recipe is prized for its speed and efficiency, making it perfect for last-minute meal planning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes

How to Serve Your Ham and Cheese Sliders

These sliders are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways for different occasions. Here are some ideas to make them the star of your meal.

• For a Party or Game Day:
  • Arrange the warm sliders on a large platter or wooden board.
  • Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color.
  • Serve alongside other classic party foods like chicken wings, a veggie tray with dip, potato chips, or a simple pasta salad.
  • Provide small plates and napkins, although they are easy to eat on the go.
• As a Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner:
  • These sliders make a fantastic main course for a family meal.
  • Pair them with a simple side dish to round out the dinner.
  • Classic Pairings: A side of french fries, tater tots, or sweet potato fries is always a hit.
  • Healthier Options: Serve with a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, steamed green beans, or a bowl of tomato soup for a classic soup-and-sandwich combo.
• For a Holiday Brunch or Luncheon:
  • Sliders aren’t just for dinner! Their sweet and savory profile makes them a wonderful addition to a brunch spread.
  • Serve them alongside dishes like a fruit salad, a quiche, or scrambled eggs.
• Presentation Tips:
  • Use a sharp knife to cut them cleanly after they’ve rested.
  • A small offset spatula is perfect for lifting the first slider out of the pan cleanly.
  • For an extra touch, stick a festive toothpick into the top of each slider.

Variations and Customizations

The beauty of this ham and cheese slider recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to create your own signature version.

• Switch Up the Meat:
  • Turkey and Provolone: A classic combination. Use smoked turkey for extra flavor.
  • Roast Beef and Cheddar: Thinly sliced roast beef with a sharp cheddar is a heartier option. Add a little horseradish to the butter sauce for a kick.
  • Italian Sliders: Use a mix of salami, pepperoni, and capicola with provolone cheese. Add a pinch of Italian seasoning to the butter sauce.
• Experiment with Cheeses:
  • Provolone: Melts beautifully and has a mild flavor.
  • Cheddar: Sharp or mild cheddar both work well.
  • Gouda: Smoked gouda adds a wonderful, complex flavor.
  • Havarti: A creamy, buttery cheese that is perfect for melting.
• Elevate the Sauce:
  • Add Garlic: A ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or one minced garlic clove to the butter sauce adds another layer of savory flavor.
  • Sweet and Spicy: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar for more sweetness and a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Herby: Whisk in some finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a more sophisticated flavor profile.

Additional Tips for Slider Success

Here are five key tips to ensure your sliders are absolutely perfect every single time.

1. Don’t Separate the Rolls (Initially): This is the most important tip. Slicing the entire slab of rolls in half at once is the secret to easy assembly and ensures the cheese and ham are perfectly contained. It creates a “pull-apart” effect after baking that is part of the fun.
2. Tent with Foil: Do not skip the step of covering the sliders with foil for the first part of baking. The sugar content in the Hawaiian rolls and the butter sauce makes them prone to burning. Tenting with foil steams the sliders, melts the cheese evenly, and prevents the tops from getting too dark before the inside is hot and gooey.
3. Let Them Rest After Baking: It will be tempting to dive right in as soon as they come out of the oven, but letting them rest for 3-5 minutes is crucial. This allows the molten cheese to set up slightly, so the sliders hold together better when you cut and serve them.
4. Be Generous with the Sauce: Don’t be afraid to use all of the butter sauce. It might seem like a lot, but this is what makes the recipe truly special. Make sure to brush it over every inch of the top buns and encourage it to seep down the sides. This sauce infuses the bread with incredible flavor and moisture.
5. Use Quality Ingredients: Because this recipe has so few ingredients, the quality of each one really shines through. Use a good quality deli ham (not pre-packaged lunch meat if you can avoid it) and a block of Swiss cheese that you slice yourself for the best melt and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about making ham and cheese sliders.

1. Can I use other types of rolls besides King’s Hawaiian?
Absolutely. While King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls are classic for their signature sweetness and soft texture, other rolls work well too. Try using soft brioche slider buns, potato rolls, or any other soft dinner roll that comes in a “pull-apart” slab. The key is to use a soft roll that will absorb the butter sauce nicely.

2. Why did my sliders get soggy on the bottom?
Soggy bottoms can happen for a couple of reasons. The most common culprit is using too much sauce and letting it pool at the bottom of the pan before baking. Ensure you’re just coating the sliders, not drowning them. Another reason could be that the sliders weren’t baked long enough for the bottom to get slightly toasted. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and consider baking for an extra minute or two if the bottom seems too soft. Finally, using very wet or watery ham can contribute to excess moisture.

3. Can I make these sliders ahead of time?
Yes, this is one of the best make-ahead party foods! You can assemble the sliders completely (steps 2-5), cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Prepare the butter sauce and store it in a separate airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, let the sliders sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Gently reheat the butter sauce until it’s liquid again, pour it over the sliders, and bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time since they’re starting from cold.

4. Can I freeze ham and cheese sliders?
Yes, they freeze surprisingly well.

• To Freeze Unbaked: Assemble the sliders but do not add the butter sauce. Wrap the entire pan tightly in two layers of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Prepare and pour the butter sauce over the top just before baking and cook as directed.
• To Freeze Baked: Allow the baked sliders to cool completely. Wrap individual sliders or the entire slab in plastic wrap and then foil. To reheat, thaw in the fridge and bake in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.

5. I don’t have or like poppy seeds. What can I substitute?
The poppy seeds are mainly for texture and visual appeal, so you can simply omit them if you don’t have them or don’t like them. If you want a similar textural element, you could substitute them with sesame seeds. For a different flavor profile, you could sprinkle the top with everything bagel seasoning for a delicious twist.

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