These ham and cheese sliders made with King's Hawaiian rolls are the kind of food you make when you need things to go right without a lot of discussion. They're warm, filling, and familiar in a way folks relax around-just as welcome on a game day table as they are on a weeknight when everyone's hungry and patience is running thin.
Sweet Hawaiian rolls can be a little high-maintenance if you let them be. That sugar wants to brown fast, and too much butter will head straight for the bottom of the baking dish. This approach keeps a steady hand on things. Splitting the sauce and baking low and slow gives the rolls time to warm through before the tops get too proud.
Thin-sliced deli ham layers easy and heats evenly, especially if you're working with leftover ham that needs a second life. Freshly shredded Swiss melts the way it ought to-soft and stretchy instead of stiff and grainy-so it's worth grabbing the cheese grater. The butter sauce, with Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and poppy seeds, brings plenty of flavor without drowning out the bread.
What you end up with are sliders that cut clean, hold together, and still taste good after a reheat. They're steady, dependable ham sliders-the kind you can put in the oven and trust, which is exactly what you want on busy weeknights and loud game days alike.
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The Roots of This Recipe
Ham and cheese Hawaiian roll sliders are often called funeral sandwiches, a name tied less to the food itself and more to where it showed up. Across church halls and community gatherings, especially throughout the South and Midwest, these sandwiches became a practical way to feed a crowd without ceremony.
The combination makes sense for those settings. Sweet rolls were widely available, deli ham was affordable and easy to portion, and cheese helped everything hold together once warmed. A butter topping seasoned with poppy seeds and Worcestershire sauce added flavor and helped keep the sandwiches moist during transport and serving.
Over time, the format stuck. Variations came and went, but the basic structure stayed the same because it worked. These sliders became part of the informal food tradition that shows up when people gather to eat first and talk later.
The Gist
Cook time: 15-20 minutes | Total time: about 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 6
Skill level: Easy
Best for: game day, potlucks, weeknight dinners
Make-ahead friendly: Yes
Dietary notes: Contains dairy, gluten
What you'll learn: How to layer and sauce sliders so they bake evenly without sogginess
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Why You'll Love It
These sliders deliver strong flavor without complicated steps.
They bake evenly at a moderate temperature, so the rolls stay soft instead of scorched.
They're easy to assemble ahead, making them reliable for entertaining or busy evenings.
Leftovers reheat well, which isn't always true for sweet rolls.
If you've struggled with overly greasy or falling-apart sliders, this method solves that.
Kitchen Equipment
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Ingredients You'll Need
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Ingredient notes
Shaved ham prevents thick pockets that don't heat evenly.
Shredded Swiss melts faster and spreads better than slices.
Dried onion works better than fresh for even distribution.
Substitutions
Provolone or mozzarella can replace Swiss, but the flavor will be milder.
Turkey or roast beef can stand in for ham with similar results.
Potato rolls can be used, though they're slightly less sweet.
Fresh onion isn't recommended because it releases moisture.
How to make
This recipe comes together in layers, with the rolls kept intact for stability. The butter sauce is divided so flavor reaches the center without soaking the bread.
The key is moderate oven heat and watching the final minutes closely. You're warming everything through, not aggressively browning the tops.
Timing & planning notes
You can assemble the sliders up to a day ahead and refrigerate them covered. Let the dish sit at room temperature briefly before baking so it heats evenly.
For serving, these are best brought straight from the oven to the table while the cheese is fully melted.
Let's get to cookin'
Prep the pan and oven
Preheat the oven and lightly grease the baking dish so the rolls release cleanly.
Slice and layer the rolls
Cut the rolls horizontally as one slab and place the bottoms snugly in the dish.
Add the filling
Layer the ham evenly, then scatter the shredded cheese across the top.
Mix the butter sauce
Stir the melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and poppy seeds until combined.
Assemble and sauce
Pour most of the sauce over the cheese, add the roll tops, then finish with the remaining sauce.
Bake until heated through
Bake until the sliders are hot and lightly golden, covering loosely if the tops brown too fast.
The Process
Chef's tips for ham and cheese sliders
Divide the sauce
This keeps the interior flavorful without soggy bottoms.
Use moderate heat
Lower oven temperature prevents burning before the centers heat.
Shred the cheese
It melts faster and more evenly than slices.
Watch the final minutes
Sweet rolls brown quickly once they're hot.
Troubleshooting
Sliders are soggy
Too much sauce pooled on the bottom; reduce interior sauce slightly next time.
Tops browning too fast
Cover loosely with foil and continue baking.
Cheese not fully melted
Use shredded cheese and allow a few extra minutes in the oven.
What to serve it with
Classic coleslaw
Creamy macaroni salad
Strawberry Watermelon Salad
Make ahead & freezing
These sliders can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.
They freeze well either baked or unbaked. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat covered until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use leftover ham?
Yes, as long as it's sliced thin so it heats evenly.
Do I need poppy seeds?
No, they're optional and don't affect the structure.
Can these be doubled?
Yes, use two baking dishes rather than overcrowding one.
Leftovers & storage
Store leftover sliders covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat covered in the oven so the rolls stay soft.
Stick around for seconds!
If easy, reliable crowd food is your thing, there's plenty more to browse around here.
Tried it?
Leave a comment or rating if you made these sliders. I always appreciate hearing how they worked in your kitchen.
Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Sliders
Ingredients
- 2 (12-count) packages Hawaiian rolls
- 1 pound Deli Ham shaved
- 12 ounces Swiss cheese hand grated
Butter Sauce
- 1 cup Salted Butter melted (2 sticks)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Minced Onion
- 2 tablespoons Poppy Seeds
Instructions
Oven and Pan Preparation
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
Assemble the Sliders
- Slice the rolls horizontally as a single slab without separating individual rolls.2 (12-count) packages Hawaiian rolls
- Place the bottom halves of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
- Evenly layer the ham over the rolls.
- Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the ham.12 ounces Swiss cheese
Prepare the Butter Sauce
- In a bowl, combine the melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried onion, and poppy seeds.1 cup Salted Butter, 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Minced Onion, 2 tablespoons Poppy Seeds
- Stir until fully combined.
Finish Assembly
- Spoon about two-thirds to three-quarters of the butter sauce evenly over the cheese layer.
- Place the top halves of the rolls over the cheese.
- Pour the remaining butter sauce over the tops of the rolls and spread evenly to coat.
Bake
- Cover loosely with foil if desired to prevent over-browning.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until heated through and the tops are lightly golden.
- Monitor closely during the final minutes, as the rolls can brown quick
Notes
- Swiss cheese can be replaced with provolone, mozzarella, or mild cheddar.
- Ham may be substituted with turkey or roast beef.
- Dried minced onion can be replaced with 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh onion.
- Serve warm as an appetizer, party sandwich, or casual main dish.
- Pair with potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.
- Suitable for game days, potlucks, or buffet-style meals.
- Assemble sliders completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Bring close to room temperature before placing in the oven.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For freezing, wrap baked or unbaked sliders tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat covered at 325°F until warmed through.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
Samantha says
Sounds yum! Going to have to try this. Love that you used the good ham and not the fake sandwich meat stuff. 🙂
Jennifer says
Thank you! Yes, I love good, thick ham. That's one thing I love about the holidays...the leftover ham!
Mike Marko says
Wow, what a great recipe. This looks very tasty and meaty. Will surely try this on holidays.