Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich, sometimes called hot ham and cheese sliders, are a whole new level of gooey, cheesy goodness in a super easy to make oven baked sandwich recipe! And they have the BEST poppyseed butter brushed all over the toasty tops!
Update: This post was updated in October 2019 with new images, and the recipe was written to include nutritional information. The sandwiches are as delicious as they’ve always been!
My boys pack lunches every day for school an even end up eating sack lunches during the summer when they are stuck in the fields. They get so sick of boring ol’ cold ham and cheese sandwiches and I can’t say I blame them!
You guys, these sandwiches with hot ham and cheese are a game changer! It’s such a delicious change of pace and my boys go crazy for them! Besides that, they are so easy to make!
What I love about Ham and Cheese Sliders
One of my very favorite things about this recipe is they are just as good made ahead of time. Assemble them as you normally would, then stick them in the refrigerator until you’re ready for dinner. All you need to do is pop the sliders in the oven and bake them. Seriously, this makes dinner time doable even on days when I’m stuck in a tractor.
I usually make enough to feed a crowd, which makes them the perfect party sandwich. I like to make a bunch and freeze leftover sandwiches for later. It’s so handy to pull them out of the freezer and throw them in the boy’s lunches. Goodbye PB&J!
The other super cool thing about these hot sandwiches is that you can switch the flavors up by using different types of cheeses and meats. It’s also fun to add other things like pickles too. The sky is the limit! Let your creative juices flow and see what you come up with! Leave me a comment at the bottom of the post and let me know what combo you try!
My readers LOVE these sandwiches as much as I do!
“Hey Amy! I’m in a Culinary class and I was required to make a slider. Found this recipe and OMG! Everyone LOVED it!!”
Kristine
These are seriously delish!! What I love is that you can mix and match meat and cheese to suit your taste. I once requested these as my birthday dinner:)
Pyper
FAQ’s about my hot ham and cheese sandwiches recipe.
What kind of bread should I use for ham and cheese sliders?
Any roll will work for this recipe! Hawaiian rolls are a favorite and work really well.
What kind of cheese is best with ham?
Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack are all great options. Shredded or sliced cheese works well.
Can I freeze ham and cheese sliders?
Yes! Bake sliders then freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat frozen sliders?
Microwave frozen sliders for about 1 minute, turn around and heat 1 more minute or until warmed through. You can also thaw sliders in the fridge then heat in the microwave for 1 minute.
Can I bake hot ham and cheese sandwiches in foil?
Yes. Individual sandwiches can be wrapped in aluminum foil and baked until warmed through.
How to make Ham and Cheese Sliders?
In just a few minutes you can throw together a whole bunch of these cheese and ham sandwiches. It’s also a really good recipe for the kids to help make because it’s so easy.
- Cut rolls in half. If the rolls are attached that’s even better. Just cut the whole thing at once and make one big sandwich then cut it into pieces after it cooks.
- Set the bottoms of the rolls in a greased pan.
- Layer deli ham on the roll bottoms.
- Add a layer of sliced cheese.
- Replace the top halves of rolls.
- Melt butter and mix poppy seeds, Worcestershire, onion powder, and mustard.
- Brush butter mixture over rolls.
- Bake.
Tips for baking hot ham and cheese sandwiches in the oven.
- Bake meat and cheese sliders uncovered at 350 degrees. This gives all that cheese a chance to melt and get gooey before the tops of the rolls get too brown.
- Cover rolls with aluminum foil if roll tops get overly crispy and brown before the rest of the sandwiches are warmed through.
- Let sliders rest for about 5 minutes before cutting them. This helps keep all that hot ham and cheese stay tucked inside the slider.
- If sliders have been in the refrigerator add about 5 minutes to the baking time.
What goes with ham and cheese sandwiches?
First of all…Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches make great make ahead appetizers, party sandwiches, or weeknight dinner!
Here are some suggestions for easy side dish recipes to serve with them.
- Baked Potato Chips
- Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
- Three Bean Salad Recipe
- Cauliflower Salad
- Check out these side dish recipes and other salad ideas for dinner. Plus, here’s a bunch of easy bar cookies recipes and easy dessert recipes with few ingredients!
Other Slider Recipes you will love!
Be sure to save this Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe to Pinterest for later!
Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients for making ham and cheese sandwiches
- 12 dinner rolls
- 1/2 pound Swiss cheese
- 1 pound deli ham
Ingredients for making poppy seed butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 tsp poppy seeds
- 1 tbsp spicy mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
How to make ham and cheese sliders
- Cut rolls in half. If the rolls are stuck together it's okay to leave them stuck together. Just cut the whole thing in half to make tops and bottoms for the sandwich.
- Set the bottom halves of the rolls in a baking dish. 12 rolls usually fit perfectly in a 9"x 13" pan.
- Add a layer of deli ham on the bottom halves of the rolls.
- Add a layer of cheese over the ham.
- Set the tops of the rolls on the sandwiches. Set aside.
How to make poppy seed butter for sandwiches
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add Worcestershire, poppy seeds, onion powder, and mustard. Mix until combined.
- Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
How to bake ham and cheese sliders
- Bake the sliders covered for 15 minutes. The sandwiches should be golden brown on the top. Remove the foil and continue baking for 5-10 more minutes or until the sliders are warm and the cheese is melted.
- Transfer sliders to a cutting board and cut into single sandwiches. Serve hot.
Notes
- If I’m assembling the sandwiches ahead of time, I butter the bottoms of the rolls before adding ham to keep the bread from getting soggy.
- Cover and refrigerate after assembling them.
- Follow the instructions in the recipe for baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to warm the sandwiches all the way through.
Barbara Barrett says
Hi …These look great ! But I need to make larger sandwiches what buns would you recommend? My husband is a old USMC Veteran and he can eat … thank you
Amy Engberson says
Thanks to your family for your service! You could definitely use hamburger buns, or see what other options are at the grocery store. Pretty much any bun will work. Maybe he could eat several sliders on little rolls?
Michelle Dillahunty says
Why do I have to whine n cry to get this where’re I go?!?!I want want ham, pepperjack cheese and bacon with mayo!!!!! Y do I have to cry for that
Julia Webb Fulmer says
My mother in law used to make these. They are just like I remembered! Deliccious!
Amy Engberson says
Yay! I love memories like that! So glad they are everything you remembered them being!
Carla says
Can you freeze any of these sliders? Thank you!
Amy Engberson says
Yes! I freeze sliders after they’ve been baked all the time! Just thaw and microwave when you’re ready for a slider! My boys take them to school in their lunches all the time! It’s so handy!
Kristina says
Hey Amy! Im in a Culinary class and i was required to make a slider. Found this recipe and OMG! Everyone LOVED it!! THank you so much! Can´t wait to make something else on your site!
Amy Engberson says
Hi Kristina! Being a culinary student would be so much fun! I’m glad you enjoyed my sliders! Be sure to let me know what other recipes you try! Oh, and you need to try my pizza sliders! They are divine!
Shelly says
These are incredibly easy and taste amazing. They are a huge hit with my husband and 2 kids (19 & 12). Made as stated in recipe but the combinations are endless.
Amy Engberson says
Thank you Shelly! YES! The options are endless, which makes meals so much more fun! Let me know what fun combinations you come up with!
Cindy Wilson says
Making these right now…they’re in the oven! Can’t wait!!
Amy Engberson says
Yay! I can’t wait for you to try them! They are such a fun and easy switch up from traditional sandwiches!
Beth says
Made these tonight. Delish!!!
Amy Engberson says
Yay! Glad you loved them!
Kirk says
I stumbled on this recipe and tried it for the first time tonight. It was very easy and extremely tasty! I added pickle slices to some and that added to the flavor profile. My wife and daughter enjoyed these quite a bit!
The glaze was amazing and I think it might go well on chicken breasts, I plan to test that theory when grilling season hits.
Thank you for sharing this recipie!
Amy Engberson says
Yay! Sliders are one of our favorites! Adding pickles is such a great idea! And I’m going to try that glaze on chicken too…I bet it’s amazing!
Kirk Kinamon says
I stumbled on this recipe and tried it for the first time tonight. It was very easy and extremely tasty! I added pickle slices to some and that added to the flavor profile. My wife and daughter enjoyed these quite a bit!
The glaze was amazing and I think it might go well on chicken breasts, I plan to test that theory when grilling season hits.
Thank you for sharing this recipie!
Deb says
I’m thinking of making these for a potluck lunch at work but we don’t have an oven there so I would need to bake them at home in the morning and keep them in an insulated carrier until lunchtime. Do you think it would work or would they become soggy? I’d appreciate any suggestions that you might have.
Amy Engberson says
Hi Deb! Potlucks are so fun! I think the sliders would get soggy if they sat in a cooler for that long. It’s too bad you don’t have an oven because these would be so fun to share!
Leslie says
These were DELICIOUS! My kids even loved them! I did add a touch of brown sugar to the glaze to add a twinge of sweetness. Wonderful recipe!!
Amy Engberson says
A touch of sweetness is always a good idea! Glad they were a hit with your family!
Jocelyn says
I made these for dinner tonight, and my family loved them! I used homemade Hawaiian sweet rolls, which paired perfectly with the ham and provolone cheese. Also, I found it easiest to sprinkle the rolls with the poppy seeds rather than mix the seeds with the glaze. Thanks for a terrific recipe.
Amy Engberson says
Yay! I’m glad your family loved them! I love recipes like this because they can be altered according to what you have on hand and your families preferences! Your versions sounds amazing!
whitney says
Does anyone know if poppy seed dressing would work? I have poppy seed dressing, but do not have regular poppy seeds….if so how much dressing should I use?
Amy Engberson says
I’m sure you could use poppy seed dressing and it would be just fine. I would just use enough to brush each sandwich with it. Or, you could easily leave the poppy seeds out. I think they make the sandwiches pretty though! Let me know if it works!
Elaine Duckett says
Looks like lots of people enjoyed your sliders. Fast and Easy wins every time.
They could have lots of fun trying different kinds of rolls with different kinds of deli meats and cheeses.
Mom
Amy Engberson says
Quick, easy and versatile! That makes this recipe a winner every time! Thanks for sharing!
Sondra says
Love this recipe! I also love the others I have seen on your blog / website and I am a HUGE fan of how you post the recipes with a printable version. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks for the sweet comment! Since one of my favorite past times is pouring over recipes…I happen to have boxes of them. Thank goodness for printable recipes! Come back soon!
Laura says
If you are making them you a day ahead of time, do you make them up with butter mixture or wait until your about to bake them to add that?
Amy Engberson says
I’ve done it both ways. I prefer to add the butter mixture while I’m making them, then refrigerate. The butter mixture firms up while they sit in the fridge so it doesn’t make them soggy. It’s fine to add it at the last minute too! Whatever works best for you is fine!
Lorraine @ Cookin' For the Seven Dwarfs says
Holy YUM! This is mouth watering! I want 3 of these right now! Thanks for linking up at Sweet & Savoury Sunday! This is one of my features this week! Can’t wait to see what you bring this week 🙂
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
Thank you for linking at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!!! You have been Pinned!
Pyper says
These are seriously delish!! What I love is that you can mix and match meat and cheese to suit your taste. I once requested these as my birthday dinner:)