Savory Garlic and Herb Ham and Cheese Sliders

Finding crowd-pleasing party food that’s both easy to make and budget-friendly can feel like an impossible task. Between coordinating with different schedules, dealing with varying taste preferences, and trying to keep costs reasonable, party planning can quickly become overwhelming – especially when you’re hosting a bigger group.

That’s where these garlic and herb ham and cheese sliders come in: they’re quick to put together, work well for both casual get-togethers and game day celebrations, and can be prepped ahead of time so you can actually enjoy time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

What Kind of Ham Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for Black Forest ham, you’ve got plenty of options that will work beautifully in these sliders. Black Forest ham has a slightly smoky flavor and tender texture, but Virginia ham or honey ham would be equally tasty choices. The key is to get your ham sliced thin at the deli counter – about the thickness of a piece of paper – which makes it easier to layer and helps create that perfect meat-to-bread ratio. If you’re getting it pre-packaged, look for ham that’s labeled “thin-sliced” or “shaved.” Just make sure to avoid heavily processed ham products, as they tend to release too much water when heated and can make your sliders soggy.

Options for Substitutions

These sliders are pretty flexible and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Hawaiian rolls: While Hawaiian rolls give these sliders their signature sweetness, you can use any small dinner rolls or slider buns. Just keep in mind that regular rolls might make the final result a bit less sweet.
• Black Forest ham: Any good quality ham works here – honey ham, Virginia ham, or even turkey if you’re not a ham fan. Just make sure it’s thinly sliced.
• Cheese varieties: Feel free to mix up the cheeses! Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella are great alternatives to provolone and American cheese. For the garlic and herb cheese (like Boursin), you could use cream cheese mixed with Italian herbs and garlic powder.
• Shallots: No shallots? Use finely diced red or yellow onion instead – about 3 tablespoons will do the trick.
• Fresh parsley: You can use dried parsley (1 teaspoon) or other fresh herbs like chives or basil. If using dried herbs, use about 1/3 of what the recipe calls for fresh.
• Yellow mustard: Dijon, whole grain, or honey mustard can work just as well. Each will bring its own unique flavor to the butter sauce.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making these sliders is rushing the butter mixture preparation – letting the butter fully melt before adding the shallots and garlic can cause them to burn and become bitter, so keep the heat on medium-low and stir frequently. Another common error is pulling apart the Hawaiian rolls individually, which can make them fall apart – instead, slice the entire slab of connected rolls horizontally while keeping them intact, creating one top and one bottom piece. To prevent soggy bottoms, avoid overloading the sliders with too much butter mixture, and make sure to spread the garlic and herb cheese in a thin, even layer. For the best melty cheese pull, let the sliders rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving, and if you’re making these ahead, wait to add the butter mixture until just before baking to keep the bread from getting too soft.

What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Sliders?

These warm, cheesy sliders are perfect for casual gatherings and go really well with simple side dishes that balance out their richness. A crisp coleslaw or potato salad makes a great traditional pairing, giving you that perfect deli sandwich combo feeling at home. For something lighter, try a mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some crunchy pickle spears on the side. Since these sliders are on the heartier side, you might also want to add some fresh raw veggies with ranch dip to round out your plate and add some nice crunch.

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 garlic butter might make the rolls a bit softer over time, but they’re still super yummy!

Make Ahead: You can prep these sliders up to 24 hours in advance! Just assemble everything except the butter topping, cover with plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just add the garlic butter mixture and pop them in the oven.

Warm Up: To enjoy leftover sliders, wrap them in foil and warm them in a 325°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use the microwave for 20-30 seconds, though the rolls might not be as crispy. If you’re bringing them to work, they’re actually pretty good at room temperature too!

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: 2200-2500
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 130-150 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 12 hawaiian rolls
• 12 ounces thinly sliced black forest ham, roughly shredded
• 4 ounces provolone cheese slices
• 4 ounces white american cheese slices
• 5 ounces soft garlic and herb cheese
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 2 cloves minced or grated garlic

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly spray a 2-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the rolls later.

Set the prepared baking dish aside for now.

Step 2: Slice and Arrange the Rolls

Place a package of rolls on your cutting board.

Using a serrated knife (like a bread knife), carefully slice across the rolls horizontally.

Use one hand to steady the rolls as you slice to keep them from separating.

After slicing, lift the entire top section off the bottom section, keeping the rolls connected to each other.

Place the bottom section of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Layer with Garlic and Herb Cheese

Spread half of the garlic and herb cheese over the cut side of the bottom section of the rolls.

Next, spread the remaining cheese over the cut side of the top section of the rolls.

This will add flavor and richness to your rolls.

Step 4: Add Ham and Cheese

Layer the shredded sliced ham over the garlic and herb cheese on the bottom section of the rolls.

Then, add slices of cheese atop the ham.

Carefully place the top section of the rolls over the layers and set aside, ensuring the rolls are evenly aligned.

Step 5: Make the Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, add butter, shallots, parsley, mustard, and garlic.

Melt these ingredients over medium heat until they are well combined.

Stir the mixture thoroughly to create a flavorful sauce.

Once ready, pour this butter sauce carefully over the top of the rolls in the baking dish to soak into the bread and add extra flavor.

Step 6: Bake the Rolls

Cover the baking dish loosely with foil to prevent the tops of the rolls from browning too quickly.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, until the roll tops are golden brown and the cheese has completely melted.

Serve warm and enjoy the delicious, cheesy rolls!