Tasty Honey Mustard Ham and Cheese Sliders

Growing up, our lunch box sandwiches were always the same – plain ham and cheese on white bread. My mom was all about keeping things simple, which meant no fancy condiments or special touches. Looking back, I totally get it – who has time to jazz up sandwiches when you’re rushing to get kids out the door?

But now, when I make these honey mustard ham and cheese sliders, I think about how much my childhood self would have loved opening her lunch box to find one of these instead. They’re basically the grown-up version of those basic sandwiches, but with just enough extra touches to make them special. And the best part? They’re still super easy to put together.

What Kind of Ham Should I Use?

For these sliders, you’ll want to stick with thinly sliced deli ham rather than thick-cut ham steaks or leftover holiday ham. Black Forest ham is a great choice since it has a mild, slightly smoky flavor that pairs well with the honey mustard sauce, but Virginia ham or honey ham would work nicely too. When you’re at the deli counter, ask them to slice it on the thinner side – about the thickness of a piece of paper – so you can layer it easily without making your sliders too bulky. Just make sure whatever ham you choose isn’t too wet or it could make your buns soggy.

Options for Substitutions

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

• Hawaiian buns: While Hawaiian rolls give these sliders their signature sweet taste, you can use regular dinner rolls or slider buns. Just know the final taste will be less sweet.
• Provolone cheese: Feel free to swap provolone with Swiss, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese. Any good melting cheese will work great here!
• Deli ham: Turkey, roast beef, or even leftover holiday ham cut into thin slices work well. If using leftover ham, just slice it as thin as you can.
• Dijon mustard: Yellow mustard or whole grain mustard can work in place of Dijon. If using yellow mustard, you might want to add a bit more honey to balance the sharper taste.
• Dried minced onion: You can skip this or replace it with onion powder (use 1 teaspoon instead), or even finely minced fresh onion.
• Poppy seeds: These are mostly for looks – feel free to skip them or use sesame seeds instead.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making these sliders is cutting the buns individually instead of slicing the entire package horizontally at once – keeping them connected makes assembly much easier and helps the sliders hold together better. When it comes to the honey mustard sauce, avoid rushing the mixing process; take time to thoroughly combine all sauce ingredients to prevent any pockets of straight mustard or honey that could overwhelm individual bites. Another common error is overbaking the sliders, which can lead to dry, hard bread – they only need about 15-20 minutes in the oven until the cheese melts and the tops are lightly golden. For the best results, let the sliders rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to separate and serve without falling apart.

What to Serve With Ham and Cheese Sliders?

These warm, melty sliders are perfect party food and pair really well with simple sides that balance out their richness. A crisp potato chip or kettle chip adds the perfect crunch factor, while a fresh coleslaw brings a cool, creamy contrast that works great with the honey mustard flavor. For something lighter, try a simple green salad or some pickles on the side – the tanginess cuts through the richness of the cheese and ham. If you’re serving these at a party, they go perfectly with classic cookout sides like macaroni salad or a bowl of fresh fruit.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These ham and cheese sliders are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, 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 buns might soften a bit over time.

Make Ahead: Want to prep these ahead? You can assemble the sliders without the butter topping up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover them with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, add the butter-herb topping 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 10-12 minutes, or until heated through. You can also give them a quick 30-second zap in the microwave, though they might not be as crispy this way.

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: 120-140 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 160-180 g

Ingredients

• 16 oz package of hawaiian buns (12 buns in total)
• 1 pound thinly sliced deli ham (use desired amount)
• 6 slices of provolone cheese
• 3 tablespoons mayo
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried, optional)

Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish and Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Spray the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise, separating the top from the bottom.

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

Step 2: Create and Spread the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, and mustard, mixing until well combined.

Spread this mixture evenly onto the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls.

Ensure the entire surface is covered to enhance flavor.

Step 3: Assemble the Sliders

Layer sliced ham evenly over the prepared rolls, then follow with a layer of provolone cheese.

Once layered, place the top half of the Hawaiian rolls over the cheese to complete the sandwich assembly.

Step 4: Prepare and Apply the Topping

Melt some butter and mix it with dried onion and poppy seeds.

Generously brush this buttery mixture over the tops of the slider buns.

This will add flavor and a slight crunch to the sliders’ top layer.

Step 5: Bake the Sliders

Cover the baking dish with foil to keep the sliders moist and prevent over-browning.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the sliders are warmed through and the cheese is fully melted.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Once done, remove the foil and garnish the tops of the warm sliders with chopped parsley for a fresh touch.

Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, savory sliders!