Quick Garlic Butter Ham and Cheese Sliders

Here’s my go-to recipe for garlic butter ham and cheese sliders, made with soft dinner rolls, layers of ham and melty cheese, and topped with a simple homemade garlic butter sauce.

These sliders are what my kids ask for whenever we have friends over to watch football games. I usually make a double batch because they disappear so quickly, and honestly, they’re just as good reheated the next day for lunch.

What Kind of Ham Should I Use?

For these sliders, you’ll want to use thinly sliced deli ham that’s not too thick or too thin – about the thickness of a standard piece of deli meat is perfect. Black Forest ham is a popular choice because it has a nice balance of smoky flavor and moisture, but honey ham or Virginia ham work great too. If you’re picking up ham from the deli counter, ask them to slice it medium-thin and make sure the slices aren’t sticking together, which can make assembly tricky. You can even mix different types of ham to create more interesting layers of flavor – just avoid using ham that’s too wet or too dry, as this can affect how well your sliders hold together.

Options for Substitutions

These sliders are super adaptable and you’ve got plenty of options to switch things up:

• Hawaiian rolls: While Hawaiian rolls give these sliders their signature sweetness, you can use regular slider buns, dinner rolls, or even cut sub rolls into smaller portions. Just keep in mind that regular rolls might make the sliders slightly less sweet.
• Deli ham: Feel free to swap the ham with turkey, roast beef, or even sliced chicken. You could also mix different meats for your own combo! Just make sure the meat is sliced thin enough to layer nicely.
• Cheese combo: The mozzarella and provolone can be switched with any melting cheese you like – try cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or American cheese. You can also use all shredded cheese instead of slices.
• Fresh garlic: If you’re out of fresh garlic, use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder instead. In a pinch, 1 teaspoon of pre-minced garlic from a jar works too.
• Fresh parsley: You can use 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley instead of fresh, or skip it altogether. Other herbs like dried oregano or Italian seasoning blend work nicely too.
• Worcestershire sauce: You can replace this with soy sauce or even a splash of balsamic vinegar – just a little something to add that savory depth.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making these sliders is preventing the bottom buns from becoming soggy – solve this by layering your ham and cheese strategically, starting with a cheese layer on the bottom to create a barrier between the meat and bread. Another common mistake is rushing to slice the rolls apart individually before assembly; instead, keep the rolls connected and slice through the entire slab horizontally, which makes assembly faster and helps the sliders hold together better. The garlic butter sauce needs careful attention too – avoid letting it sit too long after mixing or the garlic will settle at the bottom, so give it a quick stir right before pouring over the sliders. For the perfect golden-brown top, don’t cover your sliders with foil for the entire baking time – remove it during the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve that crispy, buttery crust everyone loves.

What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Sliders?

These warm, cheesy sliders are perfect for casual gatherings and go really well with simple sides that balance out their richness. A crisp potato chip or french fry situation works great here – I usually go for kettle-cooked chips or sweet potato fries for something different. For a fresher option, try a crunchy coleslaw or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the buttery, cheesy goodness of the sliders. If you’re serving these at a party, they pair perfectly with some pickle spears or a bowl of your favorite potato salad on the side.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These tasty sliders will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend storing them before adding the garlic butter topping, as this helps keep the buns from getting too soggy. When you’re ready to eat them, just add the butter mixture and pop them in the oven!

Make Ahead: You can prep these sliders up to 24 hours in advance – just assemble everything except the garlic butter topping. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, pour on the fresh garlic butter mixture and bake according to the recipe.

Warm Up: To refresh leftover sliders, wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese gets melty again. If you’re in a hurry, 30 seconds in the microwave works too, though the buns won’t be as crispy.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	25-30 minutes
Total Time	35-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 2300-2500
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 150-160 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 12-pack hawaiian rolls or slider buns
• 1 pound sliced deli ham (adjust according to thickness and preference)
• 6 slices mozzarella cheese (or 1 cup shredded)
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
• 1 teaspoon freshly minced parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350℉.

While the oven is heating, spray an 11-inch rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Using a large serrated knife, carefully slice the rolls in half horizontally to form a “slab” of tops and a “slab” of bottoms, ensuring that the rolls remain connected.

Hold the top with one hand to keep them steady while slicing.

Step 2: Assemble the Sliders

Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.

Begin layering the sliders by placing slices of Provolone cheese over the bottom rolls, followed by a layer of sliced ham, and then a layer of Mozzarella cheese.

Once layered, place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.

Step 3: Prepare and Apply Butter Mixture

In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper to create a savory glaze.

Pour or brush this mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls to add flavor and moistness.

Step 4: Cover and Bake

Cover the sliders loosely with nonstick foil, ensuring that the foil does not touch the tops of the bread.

You can use toothpicks to lift the foil if necessary.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

After this time, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the tops become golden brown.

Watch carefully to avoid over-browning.

Step 5: Serve the Sliders

Once baked, remove the sliders from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

Using a sharp knife, cut the sliders apart into individual servings.

Serve warm and enjoy your delicious homemade sliders!