By: Jill Mills Updated: Jan 22, 2025

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Slices of ham, cheddar cheese, and a mustard sauce are layered on Hawaiian rolls in these easy Ham and Cheese Sliders. A buttery sauce poured on top adds even more flavor. A family favorite that works as both an appetizer and entree.

Three ham and cheese sliders on a white plate

These ham and cheese sliders are one of my favorite ways to use leftover ham, like Christmas ham. They’re basically a version of my hot ham and cheese sandwiches made with Hawaiian rolls instead of crescent rolls. The smaller size makes them very versatile – they’re equally as good as an appetizer as they are for a meal.

Why These Ham and Cheese Sliders Are A Family Favorite

The entire family loves it when I make these sliders. Here are a few reasons why.

Super flavorful. These sliders are not just ham and cheese on a Hawaiian roll. The true secret to them lies in the mustard sauce spread on the rolls and the butter sauce poured over the top. Both add incredible depth to the flavor and elevate the dish.
Lunch, dinner, or appetizer. I’ve definitely served these as lunch for the kids on the weekend and even as a family dinner once or twice. However, they’re the perfect size to be an appetizer for game day and other parties too.
SO cheesy. There is not one but two layers of cheese in these sliders. That’s a win in my cheese-loving family!
Easy! This is more of a win for the cook (aka me) but one of the reasons I love making these is because they’re so simple and easy to assemble. Plus they bake in less than 20 minutes!

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make ham and cheese sliders

Recipe Ingredients

Besides the obvious rolls, ham, and cheese, these sliders are made with a handful of other ingredients to elevate the flavor. The exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Hawaiian rolls – I love the sweet flavor that Hawaiian rolls add to these sliders. They’re sturdy and hold the filling ingredients well too. Plus the way they’re packaged makes them so easy to use.
Spicy mustard – Adds a little kick to the sliders.
Light brown sugar – Sweetens the sauce but also really brings out the flavors in the leftover ham.
Honey – Balances out the spicy mustard and adds a sticky glaze texture.
Ham – These sliders are perfect for using leftover brown sugar pineapple ham. However, if you don’t have leftovers, deli ham works too. I personally love honey ham but apple-smoked ham or any other variety works.
Cheese – I love the pairing of ham and cheddar for these sliders. Thick slices of cheddar from the deli or sliced from the block are perfect. Mild and sharp cheddar are both great.
Butter – I prefer using unsalted butter since some of the other ingredients can be salty.
Poppy seeds – Add texture and flavor to the top of the rolls.
Worcestershire sauce – Adds a hint of savory umami flavor.
Spices – Onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.

How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders

These sliders are so quick and easy to assemble. The printable version of the instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

The bottoms of Hawaiian rolls in a cast iron skillet

Cheddar cheese and ham on top of Hawaiian roll bottoms in a cast iron skillet

Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the bottom halves of the Hawaiian rolls in the bottom of a baking dish.
Assemble. Combine the mustard, brown sugar, honey, and salt. Brush the rolls with half of the sauce. Place 1/4 slice of cheese on each roll then top with the ham slices, followed by another layer of cheese. Brush the cut side of the tops of the rolls with the mustard sauce then place them on the ham.
Bake. Whisk together the butter, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Pour it evenly over the rolls. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the rolls are browned.

Close up of ham and cheese sliders in a cast iron skillet

Tips & Variations

These ham and cheese sliders are so easy to make but I have found a few things to make them even better, plus a few ways to customize them!

Cover with foil if needed. If the tops of the rolls are browning before the cheese is fully melted, cover the baking dish with foil.
Play around with the flavors. Try using different types of ham, like ham in brown sugar glaze or pineapple glaze. There are also usually a few different ham varieties available at the deli as well. I think honey ham pairs nicely with the spicy mustard and sweet rolls. Feel free to change the ham to turkey or the spicey mustard to dijon mustard.
Use a different cheese. I love the classic ham & cheddar pairing. However, Swiss cheese, provolone or pepper jack also works really well in this recipe.
Assemble ahead. If desired, these ham and cheese sliders can be assembled up to a day in advance. Just assemble in the pan as instructed but wait to pour the butter sauce on top. Let them come to room temperature before baking or increase the bake time by a few minutes.

Serving Suggestions

These sliders are super versatile. They make a great game day appetizer, next to other favorites like buffalo chicken dip and jalapeno poppers. But they are also a great lunch or even dinner. I like to pair them with, creamy potato salad, fried green beans or another veggie side.

Close up of two ham and cheese sliders, one with a bite missing

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Fridge. Store leftover ham and cheese sliders in the fridge, either covered tightly with plastic wrap or transferred to an airtight container.
Freezer. These can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat. Individual sliders can easily be reheated in the microwave. The best way to reheat the baking dish of sliders is in the oven, covered with foil to prevent the tops from burning.