Here’s my go-to recipe for ham and havarti cheese sliders, made with soft, buttery rolls, layers of tender ham, creamy havarti cheese, and a simple honey-mustard sauce that ties it all together.
These sliders are always a hit at our family gatherings and game day parties. I often make a double batch because they disappear so quickly – and let’s be honest, they make pretty great leftovers for lunch the next day too!
Why You’ll Love These Ham and Havarti Sliders
- Perfect party food – These sliders are ideal for feeding a crowd – they’re easy to grab, share, and everyone loves them. Plus, you can make a big batch all at once!
- Quick preparation – With just 30 minutes from start to finish, you can have two dozen delicious sliders ready to serve. Most of that time is hands-off baking!
- Simple ingredients – You’ll need just a few basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store, and the creamy Havarti cheese makes these extra special.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can assemble these sliders earlier in the day and just pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve – perfect for stress-free entertaining.
What Kind of Ham Should I Use?
For these sliders, you’ll want to stick with good quality deli ham that’s sliced thin to medium thickness. Both smoked and baked ham work great here – smoked will give you a deeper, more savory flavor while baked ham offers a milder, traditional taste. When you’re at the deli counter, ask for ham that’s sliced fresh rather than using pre-packaged varieties, as fresh-sliced ham tends to be more moist and flavorful. If you’re feeling fancy, Black Forest ham makes an excellent choice, but even a basic honey ham will make these sliders delicious. Just make sure the slices aren’t too thick, or they’ll make your sliders harder to eat.
Options for Substitutions
These sliders are pretty adaptable and you can switch things up based on what you have in your fridge:
- Sweet dinner rolls: Hawaiian rolls are perfect, but you can use any small dinner rolls or slider buns. Just make sure they’re connected in the package so you can slice them all at once.
- Havarti cheese: While Havarti gives these sliders a nice mellow, buttery taste, you can swap it for Swiss, provolone, or even mild cheddar. Any cheese that melts well will work great here.
- Deli ham: Any type of ham works – leftover holiday ham, black forest, honey ham, or even turkey if you’re not a ham fan. Just make sure it’s sliced thin.
- Mayonnaise: Not big on mayo? Try using miracle whip for a tangier taste, or swap it for a mix of softened butter and dijon mustard.
- Shallot: Regular onion works just fine instead of shallot. If using regular onion, just make sure to mince it extra fine since it’s a bit stronger.
- Poppy seeds: These are mostly for looks – you can skip them entirely or use sesame seeds instead if you prefer.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest mistake when making these sliders is separating the rolls individually – instead, slice the entire sheet of connected rolls horizontally as one unit, which keeps them perfectly aligned and makes assembly much faster and neater.
Another common error is overloading the sliders with too much sauce or cheese, which can make them soggy and messy – stick to the recommended amounts and spread the mayo-mustard mixture evenly across all rolls.
The butter sauce needs careful attention too: adding it too early can make the bottom of the rolls soggy, so wait until just before baking to pour it over the top, and make sure to cover the pan with foil for the first part of baking to prevent the tops from burning.
For the best texture, let the sliders rest for 5 minutes after baking – this helps the cheese set slightly and makes them easier to separate and serve without falling apart.
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 mixed green salad or some crunchy pickle spears on the side. If you’re serving these at a party, put out some kettle-cooked potato chips or a bowl of your favorite potato chips – the crunch factor works great with these soft, melty sandwiches!
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These sliders are best enjoyed right after baking, but if you have leftovers, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just keep in mind that the rolls might soften a bit over time due to the mayo and butter sauce.
Make Ahead: You can prep these sliders up to 24 hours in advance! Assemble everything except the butter sauce, cover with plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just add the butter sauce mixture and pop them in the oven. It’s perfect for party planning!
Warm Up: To enjoy leftover sliders, wrap them in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese gets melty again. You can also give them a quick 30-second zap in the microwave, though the rolls won’t be as crispy this way.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 27-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2500-2800
- Protein: 50-60 g
- Fat: 200-220 g
- Carbohydrates: 200-220 g
Ingredients
- 24 sweet dinner rolls
- 24 pieces of smoked or baked deli ham
- 6 slices of havarti cheese, each cut into quarters
- 1 cup mayonnaise (approx. 2 teaspoons each slider)
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot or onion
- 1/2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Assemble Sandwiches
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the rolls by cutting each one in half.
Spread mayonnaise on both the top and bottom halves of the roll.
Take a slice of ham, fold it in half twice, and place it onto the bottom half of the roll.
Top the ham with a small slice of Havarti cheese, then place the top half of the roll back on to create a sandwich.
Step 2: Arrange Sandwiches in Baking Pan
Place the assembled sandwiches close together in a 13×9 inch baking pan until the pan is completely full.
You may need to prepare more than one batch to accommodate all 24 sandwiches, as typically, about 15 sandwiches fit into one pan.
Step 3: Prepare and Apply the Sauce
Whisk together all of your sauce ingredients until fully combined.
Generously brush the sauce over the tops of each sandwich roll, ensuring they are well-coated.
Allow the rolls to rest for a few minutes so that the butter in the sauce can begin to set up slightly.
Step 4: Bake the Sandwiches
Decide how you want your rolls: for toasted buns, bake the sandwiches uncovered; for softer rolls, cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the rolls are warmed through.
Step 5: Make Ahead and Storage Tips
These sandwiches can be assembled a day in advance.
Simply prepare them as directed, cover, and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
This makes for a convenient and easy meal, perfect for gatherings or simple family dinners.