Delicious Smoked Ham and Cheese Sliders

Finding crowd-pleasing party food that’s both easy to make and guaranteed to satisfy can feel like a real puzzle. Between juggling different dietary preferences, varying age groups, and the pressure to deliver something that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, party planning can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s where these smoked ham and cheese sliders come to the rescue: they’re quick to assemble, perfect for feeding a group, and consistently deliver the kind of comfort food satisfaction that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

What Kind of Ham Should I Use?

For these sliders, you’ll want to use thinly sliced deli ham that’s not too wet or too dry. Black Forest ham is a great choice with its subtle smoky flavor, but Virginia ham or honey ham work really well too. If you’re getting it from the deli counter, ask them to slice it medium-thin – too thick and your sliders will be harder to eat, too thin and the ham might get lost among the other ingredients. When shopping, look for ham that’s pink in color without any dry edges or excessive moisture in the package, and try to avoid pressed ham products which often lack the texture and flavor you want in these sandwiches.

Options for Substitutions

These sliders are pretty adaptable and you can switch things up based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Hawaiian rolls: While Hawaiian rolls give these sliders their signature sweetness, you can use regular dinner rolls or slider buns. Just keep in mind the taste will be a bit different without that sweet note.
• Swiss cheese: Not a fan of Swiss? Feel free to use provolone, cheddar, or even mozzarella. Any good melting cheese will work great here.
• Ham: You can swap the ham for turkey, roast beef, or even leftover chicken. Just make sure whatever meat you use is sliced thin.
• Dijon mustard: Regular yellow mustard works in a pinch, or try honey mustard for a sweeter touch. If you’re not into mustard, a bit of mayo can work too.
• Dehydrated onion flakes: No onion flakes? Use 1 tablespoon of finely minced fresh onion or 1 teaspoon of onion powder instead.
• Dried parsley: Fresh parsley works great (use 1 tablespoon chopped), or you can skip it altogether. Other herbs like dried oregano or thyme work nicely too.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making these sliders is separating the rolls individually – instead, slice the entire package of rolls horizontally as one unit, keeping them connected, which makes assembly much faster and ensures even cooking. Another common error is overloading the sliders with too much ham and cheese, which can make them difficult to eat and prevent the tops from staying secured – stick to a single, even layer of each. The butter sauce needs careful attention too – if it’s not evenly distributed across the top of the rolls, you’ll end up with some dry spots and some overly soggy areas, so use a pastry brush to apply it thoroughly. For the best texture, avoid covering the sliders too tightly with foil while baking, as this can make the tops soggy instead of achieving that perfect golden-brown crunch – either leave a little tent in your foil or bake them uncovered for the last few minutes.

What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Sliders?

These warm, cheesy sliders are perfect party food and pair really well with simple sides that balance out their richness. A crisp coleslaw or potato salad makes an excellent companion, giving you that classic deli sandwich experience at home. For something lighter, try a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some crunchy pickle spears on the side. If you’re serving these at a party, put out some potato chips or your favorite bag of kettle-cooked chips – the salty crunch is just right with these soft, melty sandwiches.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These tasty sliders will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend wrapping them in foil first, then placing them in the container to keep them from drying out. The butter sauce might make the rolls a bit softer over time, but they’re still really good!

Make Ahead: You can prep these sliders up to 24 hours in advance! Just assemble everything, cover with plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. The butter sauce can be made ahead too – just warm it up a bit before pouring over the rolls.

Warm Up: To warm up leftover sliders, wrap them in foil and pop them in a 325°F oven for about 10-12 minutes. You can also use the microwave for 20-30 seconds, though the rolls might not be as crispy. If you’re bringing them to a party, a slow cooker on warm setting works great for keeping them toasty!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2000-2200
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 120-130 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

• One package of 12 hawaiian rolls
• 1/2 pound ham, sliced
• 1/2 pound swiss cheese, sliced
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Step 1: Prepare the Grill and Ingredients

Begin by preheating your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the grill is heating, take a 12-pack of Hawaiian rolls and slice them in half horizontally, keeping the rolls connected.

Lay slices of ham evenly over the bottom half of the rolls, followed by a layer of Swiss cheese.

Place the top half of the rolls back on top to reform the pack.

Step 2: Transfer to Foil Pan and Prepare Butter Mixture

Carefully transfer the assembled rolls to a 9″x11″ foil pan.

In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of melted butter with dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.

Mix well to create a flavorful spread.

Brush this mixture generously over the top of the rolls and sprinkle dried onion flakes evenly over the surface.

Step 3: Cook the Sliders on the Grill

Place the foil pan containing the sliders onto the preheated grill.

Close the grill lid and let the sliders cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the tops to become toasted.

Step 4: Finish and Decorate

Once the sliders are heated through and the cheese is melted, carefully remove the pan from the grill.

Using a spatula, lift the connected sliders and transfer them to a cutting board.

Melt an additional 1 tablespoon of butter and lightly dab it over the tops of the rolls.

Sprinkle parsley flakes on top for added garnish.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Using a sharp knife, cut the connected rolls into 12 individual sliders.

Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Hawaiian roll sliders!