If you're looking for a simple, delicious, and perfect snack for any gathering, ham and cheese sliders are a fantastic choice. In this article, you’ll learn how to make ham and cheese sliders from scratch: the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, choosing the best buns and cheese, and how to store and reheat leftovers. Plus answers to common questions.
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Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Sliders
Here’s a classic ingredient list for making about 12 sliders. You can scale up or down depending on the number of servings you want.
For the sliders:
- 12 slider buns: sweet “Hawaiian rolls” or other soft dinner/slider rolls.
- Thinly sliced ham: Cooked ham works best.
- Cheese slices: Classic choice is Swiss cheese, but other meltable cheeses like Calin Cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, Gouda, or Monterey Jack also work, depending on your taste.
For the buttery glaze (topping):
- Unsalted butter: melted.
- Mustard: adds a nice tang.
- Optional flavor enhancers: poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder (or minced onion) for extra aroma and a bit of crunch/texture on top.
Optional additions you might consider include a thin layer of mayonnaise or mustard inside the buns, sliced pickles or tomatoes for added tang, or extra ham/cheese if you prefer flavorful sliders.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make these sliders, step by step, in a straightforward, fool-proof way:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to about 350°F (≈ 175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (or line with foil/parchment).
- Prepare the rolls: Slice the slider buns horizontally in half, top and bottom. Keep them connected as a block if possible to make assembly easier. Place the bottom halves in the baking dish.
- Layer ham and cheese: On the bottom layer of buns, arrange the ham slices evenly. Then add a layer of cheese slices over the ham. If you like extra filling, you can layer ham–cheese–ham, or double up on cheese.
- Replace the top buns: After layering, put the top halves of the buns back on the assembled sandwiches to complete them.
- Make the butter glaze: In a small bowl, melt the butter. Add mustard and any other sauce you like, and, if using, poppy seeds, garlic powder/onion powder (or minced onion). Mix well.
- Glaze the sliders: Using a pastry brush or spoon, spread the butter-sauce mixture generously and evenly over the tops of the rolls. Let the sauce soak in briefly.
- Bake the sliders: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil, and bake for about 15 minutes. This helps melt the cheese and thoroughly heat the ham. After that, remove the foil and bake another 5–10 minutes (or depending on recipe ~5 minutes) until the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy. The butter glaze will caramelize just a bit, giving a delicious finish.
- Serve warm: Take the sliders out of the oven. Let them rest a minute or two so the cheese and fillings settle; then slice into individual sliders and serve warm.
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Best Buns and Cheese Types to Use
Buns
- Soft, slightly sweet slider buns are ideal. “Hawaiian rolls” are very popular because their sweetness nicely balances the savory ham and cheese.
- If you don’t have Hawaiian rolls, soft dinner rolls, or any small soft rolls will do, although texture and flavor may vary a bit.
Cheese
- Swiss cheese is a classic because it melts smoothly and has a mild, slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with ham.
- If you prefer a stronger flavor or a different melt style, cheeses like cheddar, provolone, mozzarella, Gouda, or Monterey Jack also work well. Feel free to experiment or even do a cheese blend.
Mixing cheeses (e.g., a mild melting cheese + a sharper cheese) can add more depth to the flavor, a great trick if you want sliders with a richer taste.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers?
These sliders are great for make-ahead or leftover use:
- After the sliders have cooled, store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay good for about 2–3 days.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to about 300–350°F (≈ 150–175°C), cover the sliders loosely with foil (to avoid drying them out), and warm for 5–10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted again.
- While you can microwave them in a pinch, especially individual sliders, the oven method gives the best result: warm, melty cheese and slightly crisped top bun rather than soggy or chewy bread.
You can also layer the sliders ahead of time (bun + ham + cheese + glaze) and refrigerate them unbaked; then bake just before serving. This makes them a great “make-ahead for a party” recipe.
Why This Is a Great Easy Party Sliders Recipe?
- Quick and easy: From prep to oven-ready usually takes just 10–15 minutes, and baking adds around 15–20 minutes. That means you can make a batch in under 30 minutes.
- Good for Every Party: Kids and adults alike love the warm, cheesy, savory mix. Perfect for casual dinners, game nights, or parties. You can also change the ingredients. Change the cheese, add pickles or veggies, use different ham types, and still get delicious results.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can assemble early, refrigerate, then bake when needed. Leftovers store and reheat well, making meal planning easy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Thinly sliced ham (cooked) is the most convenient, easy to layer, melts nicely with cheese, and blends well with the buttery glaze. You can use different types of ham depending on your taste. For instance, smoked ham, honey-roasted ham, or ham with a bit of seasoning can add extra character.
Yes, you absolutely can. While Swiss cheese is the classic and melts beautifully, other meltable cheeses work well too: cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, Gouda, Monterey Jack, etc. You could even mix two cheeses for a more complex flavor and texture.
Yes, many recipes recommend assembling the sliders (buns, ham, cheese, glaze) and storing them in the fridge, then baking them when you're ready to serve.
This approach is convenient if you’re preparing for a party or want to save time just before guests arrive.