These Garlic Herb Hot Ham Sliders are an easy snack to feed a crowd. Made with soft rolls, two different cheeses, ham and a delicious garlic herb butter, it’s the ultimate appetizer for your next football game day party!
On some days, we eat classy food with a glass of wine in hand. And on other days, we feast on good ole’ sliders!
This recipe is definitely one for the categories “comfort food” and “kid friendly”… But can you blame anyone? Such a classic, and always loved by everyone.
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
- Dinner rolls: I actually make my own dinner rolls for this (see my dinner roll recipe), but it’s absolutely fine to use Hawaiian rolls or any store-bought dinner rolls you enjoy.
- Deli ham: I always buy an Italian-style cooked deli ham for this. I like using a deli meat with a lot of flavor, since this is pretty much half of the filling, so it better taste goo ? Feel free to use your favorite though, but I do recommend using a thinly sliced variety.
- Cheese: I always buy two different kinds of cheeses for the sliders. One that’s sharp and one that melts well. For the melty one: Swiss, Havarti or Fontina. And for the sharp one: Sharp Cheddar, Gruyère or aged Gouda. Always depends what I can find sliced at the store! For the photos, I used Swiss and aged Gouda slices.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter. If you’re using salted, I recommend using less salt or none at all.
- More flavor: If you prefer, you can spread mustard on your sliced rolls instead of dabbing them with butter. This will add more flavor and goes really well with the ham.
- Topping: If you’re not a fan of poppy seeds, feel free to leave them out. You can also use sesame seeds in place of the poppy.
How to make Hot Ham Sliders
1. Start by slicing the entire slab of rolls in the middle. You want the rolls to stay connected here, so go slowly! I use a large serrated bread knife, which makes it easier.
You’ll want to melt the butter and stir the salt/pepper and garlic powder in. You can also add the herbs at this point if you like, but my family likes it better with the herbs only on top of the rolls. Dab the cut sides of the rolls with 1-2 tablespoons of your flavored butter.
2. Layer half of the ham on the bottom slab. Then, top with the cheese (try to get both cheeses spread out evenly). Finally, top with the remaining ham and then with the top slab of the rolls.
3. If you haven’t added the herbs to the butter yet, do so. Add the poppy seeds as well. Then, brush the mixture evenly over the top of your rolls.
4. Bake the sliders covered with foil until hot and bubbly, then remove the foil and finish baking for 4-5 minutes to get the top browned.
I let them sit for 5 minutes so nobody gets their hands burned on hot cheese ? Then serve them ASAP or the cheese will firm up again… And where’s the fun in that?!
Recipe tips
- The cheese in the middle rolls takes a little longer to melt than the cheese in the outer rolls. I always pass these rolls to my younger children, because I’m not giving them melted cheese yet for choking reasons. You can also put just the middle rolls back in the oven for 5 minutes if you find out you pulled the sliders out too soon for them to be melty enough.
- Watch the sliders closely after uncovering, you don’t want their tops to burn.
- I recommend using a cooking spatula to cut the rolls before serving. Makes it a lot easier to pull them apart!
Serving ideas
I know, I know. Snacks and appetizers and all. But honestly? We have these for lunch or even dinner when time is extremely short.
Add a Coleslaw or Cucumber Salad on the side, and dinner is done in minutes!
More easy party food
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
Garlic Herb Hot Ham Sliders
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 1 (12-count) slab dinner rolls homemade or a brand like Sweet Hawaiian
- 12 oz deli ham
- 6 oz melty cheese slices e.g. Swiss or Havarti
- 6 oz sharp cheese slices e.g. sharp Cheddar or aged Gouda
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter or more to taste; melted
- 1 teaspoon dried garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Using a serrated bread knife, split slab of rolls in half. Place bottom half in lightly greased baking dish slightly larger than your slab of rolls.
- Combine melted butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper (feel free to add the Italian seasoning at this point, too – I personally don't but some people do prefer it). Dab about 2 tablespoons of the butter on the cut sides of the rolls.
- Place half of the deli ham on the bottom half of the rolls. Evenly top with both cheeses, then top with the remaining ham. Finally, place top with the top half of the rolls.
- Add poppy seeds (and Italian seasoning, if you didn't add it before) to the melted butter mixture. Brush all over the top of the rolls. Cover rolls with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Uncover and finish baking for 4-5 more minutes, until tops are golden. Allow to cool on the counter for 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Dinner rolls: I actually make my own dinner rolls for this (see my dinner roll recipe), but it’s absolutely fine to use Hawaiian rolls or any store-bought dinner rolls you enjoy.
- Deli ham: I always buy an Italian-style cooked deli ham for this. I like using a deli meat with a lot of flavor, since this is pretty much half of the filling, so it better taste goo ? Feel free to use your favorite though, but I do recommend using a thinly sliced variety.
- Cheese: I always buy two different kinds of cheeses for the sliders. One that’s sharp and one that melts well. For the melty one: Swiss, Havarti or Fontina. And for the sharp one: Sharp Cheddar, Gruyère or aged Gouda. Always depends what I can find sliced at the store! For the photos, I used Swiss and aged Gouda slices.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter. If you’re using salted, I recommend using less salt or none at all.
- More flavor: If you prefer, you can spread mustard on your sliced rolls instead of dabbing them with butter. This will add more flavor and goes really well with the ham.
- Topping: If you’re not a fan of poppy seeds, feel free to leave them out. You can also use sesame seeds in place of the poppy.
Recipe tips
- The cheese in the middle rolls takes a little longer to melt than the cheese in the outer rolls. I always pass these rolls to my younger children, because I’m not giving them melted cheese yet for choking reasons. You can also put just the middle rolls back in the oven for 5 minutes if you find out you pulled the sliders out too soon for them to be melty enough.
- Watch the sliders closely after uncovering, you don’t want their tops to burn.
- I recommend using a cooking spatula to cut the rolls before serving. Makes it a lot easier to pull them apart!
Cheryl says
Made last night for dinner to try for the super bowl tomorrow. definitely on our game day menu, so simple and delish! added the mustard to half of the rolls, left the other with only the garlic butter for the kiddos. worked out great.
Nora says
That’s GENIUS, Cheryl!
Melissa says
Made for 8 year old’s birthday today, came out great.
Nora says
I’m so glad!