Name: The Ultimate Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: For the Sliders; 1 12-count package Hawaiian sweet rolls (King’s Hawaiian style); ¾ –1 lb thinly sliced deli ham; 8 –10 slices Swiss cheese (or about 8 oz sliced); 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional, but recommended); ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon honey (optional but excellent); 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon poppy seeds; ½ teaspoon salt; Freshly cracked black pepper

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Buttery, Crispy, and Completely Irresistible

There’s a reason these sliders never go out of style.

Soft sweet Hawaiian rolls.
Layers of salty ham.
Melty Swiss cheese.
And a buttery Dijon glaze that soaks into every crevice and crisps up the tops.

They’re nostalgic.
They’re ridiculously easy.
And once you put them on the table? They disappear.

If you need one no-fail party food, this is it.

Planning a full Easter spread? The ultimate baked Easter ham is the centrepiece this works alongside.

Looking for more game day appetizers? Try these Buffalo Ranch Pickle Chicken Skewers.

Why This Version Is the Best

The tops get golden and slightly crisp
The bottoms stay soft (not soggy)
The glaze has real flavor (not just melted butter)
Perfect for game day, holidays, potlucks, or easy dinners
Make-ahead friendly

This is the version people ask for the recipe for.

What They Taste Like

Think:

Sweet rolls
Salty ham
Creamy melted Swiss
Buttery Dijon richness
A tiny pop of onion and garlic

It’s sweet + savory + melty in the best possible way.

This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I genuinely use and love — at no extra cost to you.

Ingredients (Serves 8–12)

For the Sliders

1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls (King’s Hawaiian style)
¾–1 lb thinly sliced deli ham
8–10 slices Swiss cheese (or about 8 oz sliced)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional, but recommended)

For the Buttery Glaze

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey (optional but excellent)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly cracked black pepper

If you’re building a full party table, the party dip roundup has everything you need to serve alongside these.

Equipment

9×13 baking dish
Sharp serrated knife
Small mixing bowl
Pastry brush or spoon
Foil

Timing

Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 20–25 minutes
Total: 30–35 minutes

How to Make the Best Ham and Cheese Sliders

Step 1: Prep the Rolls

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Without separating the rolls, slice the entire slab horizontally using a serrated knife.

Place the bottom half into a greased 9×13 baking dish.

Step 2: Layer the Filling

Spread Dijon mustard lightly over the bottom layer (optional but worth it).

Layer in this order:

Half the Swiss cheese
All the ham (fold it slightly for texture)
Remaining Swiss cheese

Place the top half of the rolls back on.

Step 3: Make the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together:

Melted butter
Dijon
Honey
Worcestershire
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Poppy seeds
Salt + pepper

It should smell incredible.

Step 4: Brush + Soak

Slowly spoon or brush the glaze evenly over the tops.

Let it soak for 5–10 minutes before baking — this is key for flavor.

Step 5: Bake

Cover loosely with foil.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes, until:

Cheese is fully melted
Tops are golden
Edges are slightly crisp

Let cool 5 minutes before slicing.

Why These Work So Well for Parties

Easy to prep ahead
Feeds a crowd
No utensils needed
Reheat beautifully
Crowd-pleasing flavors

They’re basically the perfect baked party sandwich.

These sliders are one of the stars of my Kentucky Derby watch party food roundup.

Tips for the Best Texture

Don’t skip the soak time.
Use thin deli ham so it layers evenly.
If you want extra crisp tops, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end (watch carefully).
For extra flavor, add a thin layer of mayo under the cheese.

Make Ahead Instructions

Assemble fully and refrigerate (covered) up to 24 hours.

Add glaze just before baking.

Another great make-ahead option for a crowd is the ham and cheese breakfast strata – different occasion, same zero-stress approach.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
Reheat in oven at 300°F until warmed through.

Microwave works — but oven keeps them crisp.

For another hot snack that works just as well for a party, the buffalo ranch pickle chicken skewers are worth adding to the spread.

Nutrition (Approximate Per Slider)

Calories: 220–260
Protein: 9–11g
Fat: 14g
Carbs: 18g

(Varies depending on ham and cheese.)

Looking for more game day appetizers? Try these Irresistible Game Day Favourite Appetizers

FAQs

Yes – and it’s actually the best way to do it. Assemble the sliders fully, cover the dish tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Hold off on adding the glaze until just before they go in the oven, otherwise the tops can get soggy. Pull them out of the fridge about 20 minutes before baking so they’re not stone cold going in, which helps them heat through evenly.

Swiss is the classic choice and works well because it melts smoothly without going greasy and the mild, slightly nutty flavor doesn’t compete with the Dijon glaze. Provolone is a good alternative if you want something a little creamier. Gruyère is worth trying if you want to lean into the savory richness – it pairs particularly well with the Worcestershire in the glaze. Avoid anything too sharp or crumbly, since you want the cheese to melt into the layers rather than stay separate.

Two things help. First, make sure the cheese goes on before the ham so there’s a barrier between the bread and the meat juices. Second, don’t skip the foil for the first 15 minutes of baking – it traps the steam and melts the cheese without letting the bottom sit in liquid. The baking dish should also be greased so the rolls don’t stick and pull apart when you serve them.

Hawaiian rolls are ideal because the sweetness works really well against the salty ham and tangy Dijon glaze – it’s a combination that’s hard to replicate exactly. That said, any soft dinner roll works if you can’t find them. Brioche rolls are the closest substitute in terms of texture and slight sweetness. Avoid anything too crusty or dense, since the glaze needs to soak in and the sliders need to be easy to bite through without everything sliding out.

One 12-count pack of Hawaiian rolls makes 12 sliders. As a party appetizer or game day snack, allow 2-3 per person. As a main with sides, 3-4 per person is more realistic for most appetites. The recipe scales up easily – just use a second baking dish and make a double batch of glaze. They hold well in a low oven (around 200°F) if you need to keep them warm while the rest of the food comes together.