![Southern Living Ham and Cheese sliders in the baking dish ready to serve](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/u1HVoPD3QDtw2ooETQkGZIwqKGU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ham_Cheese_Sliders_013-670e2450bcd74c39a0e85bd9f4effb3c.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Classic ham-and-cheese sliders, best served warm and on a sweet Hawaiian bun, are as easy to make as they are delicious. Simply stack the ham and Swiss on a mayo-coated roll, form your mini sandwiches with layers of ham and cheese, then top them with a drool-worthy butter sauce that will bring richness, tang, crunch, and the oh-so-coveted golden brown exterior that begs to be bitten into.
As an appetizer or a meal, ham-and-Swiss sliders are filling and perfect for larger get-togethers (though you may need to plan on making more than one batch).
Learn how to make these ham-and-cheese sliders, and add them to your go-to collection of party-friendly dishes.
Tips for the Best Ham-and-Swiss Sliders
Four things you might want to know for the tastiest bites:
- Rest before baking: Once you seal the baking dish with aluminum foil, you should let the sliders sit for about 10 minutes. This gives the butter sauce time to soak into the bread slightly.
- Cut between sliders: If you don't separate the sliders before adding the ingredients (instead layering them on the full sheet of sliders), you'll need to separate them after baking. Grab a serrated knife or bread knife, and give a quick swipe between rolls so they're easier to grab and go.
- Try different hams and cheeses: For a different take on this classic dish, swap the types of ham and cheese. Smoked or honey ham bring different flavors, as do Colby Jack or provolone cheeses.
- Line the baking dish with foil: To make clean up a snap, line the baking dish with aluminum foil. When the rolls are all gone, gently fold the foil in, sealing in any remaining butter sauce, and toss into the trash. The dish is clean, and the mess is contained.
Ingredients for Ham-and-Swiss Sliders
One of the reasons these ham-and-cheese sandwiches are so loved is because they're not complicated, and the ingredient list isn't long. Here's what you'll need:
- Hawaiian sweet rolls: We like the spongy, eggy texture of these rolls, but you could also use yeast rolls or dinner rolls.
- Deli ham: Classic ham has the right balance of sweet and savory, but you could use your favorite kind—or even leftover baked ham.
- Swiss cheese: The creamy, nutty nature of Swiss cheese doesn't compete with the topping or ham, but you could change this up for your favorite type of cheese if you want.
- Mayo: Adds a bit of creaminess to each slider. You could mix in Dijon for a hint of tang or sriracha for surprise spiciness.
- Unsalted butter, Dijon poppy seeds, dried minced onions, and Worcestershire sauce: These are the ingredients for the sauce. They provide a major hit of savory flavor for each roll.
![Southern Living Ham and Swiss Sliders ingredients](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/aTgmoFNp79rHGTIiRqRAFJ0xuO8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ham_Cheese_Sliders_001-3161e0fc2bf14bb78a3c4c8347f545e5.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
How To Make Ham-and-Swiss Sliders
The full recipe for these appetizers is below, along with a complete ingredient list. But here's a brief outline:
- Step 1. Make sliders by spreading mayo on the bottom half of the rolls, then layering the ham and cheese. Add the roll tops, and move each of the sliders to a baking dish.
- Step 2. Combine the ingredients for the buttery topping, and pour it over the dozen rolls. Seal the dish with aluminum foil, and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Step 3. Bake in a preheated oven to melt the cheese. Remove the foil, and continue baking until the tops of the rolls are browning.
Can You Make These Sliders Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make ham-and-Swiss sliders before you plan to bake them, but you will need to separate the steps. Build the sliders, and move them to the baking dish, then cover with aluminum foil and store in the fridge up to 2 days.
When you're ready to bake the rolls, remove the dish from the fridge, and make the topping. Pour the topping on the rolls, and bake. You may need to bake longer to get the sliders warmed and the cheese melted.
How To Store Ham-and-Swiss Sliders
Any leftover sliders (we doubt that will happen) can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
You can also freeze these sliders. Wrap each in storage wrap, then aluminum foil or ziplock bag, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through and cheese is melty.
What To Eat With Ham-and-Swiss Sliders
If these sliders are going to be a fun dinner, serve with Spiced-Up Shoestring Fries or Green Bean Fries. As an appetizer, you'll need more great dips and finger foods. Consider Candied Bacon Crackers, Cheddar Cheese Straws, or Sausage Balls.
![ham and swiss sliders - southern living](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Vt9fIijIsKDNo3lKbxITqa1TMMc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ham_Cheese_Sliders_015-7754aa7dffe544f7a7c2121e211726af.jpg)
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Ingredients
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1 (12-oz.) pkg. Hawaiian sweet rolls (such as King’s Hawaiian)
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3/4 lb. thinly sliced deli ham
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3/4 lb. thinly sliced Swiss cheese
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1/3 cup mayonnaise
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1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, melted
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1 1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
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1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
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1 Tbsp. dried minced onion
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1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Directions
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Prepare oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Add mayo to rolls:
Slice rolls in half and spread mayonnaise on the bottom side of each roll.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Add ham and cheese:
Evenly distribute sliced deli ham and Swiss cheese on top of the roll bottoms.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add the tops to create mini sandwiches.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Add sandwiches to baking dish:
Line the sandwiches in a shallow baking dish and set aside.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Make butter sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, minced onion, and Worcestershire sauce.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Add sauce, then cover dish:
Pour sauce over the rolls.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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Bake sliders:
Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove aluminum foil and and continue baking until the tops are browned, approximately five minutes. Serve warm.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox