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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Ham and Havarti Cheese Sliders

    Modified: Apr 17, 2025 · Published: Dec 4, 2016 by Angela G. · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Ham and Havarti Cheese Sliders

    169.3K shares
    Jump to Recipe

    You'll love these little oven-baked ham and cheese sliders! Made with Havarti cheese and black forest ham on savory butter Hawaiian rolls, then topped with a buttery mustard and poppy seed glaze. Always a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

    Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Roll Sliders
    Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Roll Sliders in Pioneer Woman Baking Pan
    Baked Ham and Havarti Cheese Slider Appetizer
    Layer ham and cheese
    Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Roll Sliders
    Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Roll Sliders in Pioneer Woman Baking Pan
    Baked Ham and Havarti Cheese Slider Appetizer
    Layer ham and cheese

    Serve these ham and Havarti cheese sliders at your next gathering along with other popular appetizers like my Mexican street corn dip, spinach dip pinwheels and hot Maryland crab dip.

    Skim by Section
    • ★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★
    • ★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
    • ★ How to Make this Recipe ★
    • ★ Tips ★
    • ★ FAQs ★
    • ★ More Recipes You'll Love ★
    • ★ What People Are Saying ★
    • Ham and Havarti Cheese Sliders

    ★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

    Savory butter Hawaiian rolls are layered with smoky black forest ham and creamy Havarti cheese then topped with a seasoned butter glaze and baked to a golden brown. YUM.

    Havarti cheese for the win!

    This combination of Havarti cheese and black forest ham is unique and so delicious. Havarti cheese is similar to Swiss but doesn't have that bitter after taste making these melty, mild and well-loved.

    These ham and cheese sliders are always a crowd-pleasing recipe, great football party food, great for family gatherings, potlucks, holidays or just because!

    Buttery Glaze

    The butter topping crisps the tops and adds flavor. Poppy seeds add a subtle crunch and nutty flavor.

    Make-ahead friendly

    You can make these ahead and bake right before you're ready to eat so they are great for taking on vacations, to a friend's houses or for serving houseguests.

    With their buttery Hawaiian buns, onion-poppy seed sauce, melty Havarti cheese and peppery ham, these sliders hit all the right notes. Yet are so simple to prepare. Make ahead up to 3 days in advance, refrigerate, then just bake before serving.

    Feeds a Big Family or Small Group

    This simple and quick recipe is ideal for feeding a family or small crowd as it makes a dozen sliders.

    Good Weekend Food

    These ham and cheese sliders will also absolutely satisfy your weekend munchies. Enjoy these sliders as a hearty breakfast-lunch combination so you can consolidate meals and get more done with your day off, while staying fueled.

    ★ Ingredients You'll Need ★

    You need just 3 main ingredients to make these baked sliders, plus a 5-ingredient homemade seasoned buttery sauce that tops these roll so that they bake to a delicious crisp.

    Ham and Cheese Slider Ingredients

    Here's everything you'll need:

    1. Savory Hawaiian rolls. I prefer these over the sweet rolls because ham is already sweet, you don't really need more sweetness.

    2. Black forest ham. I like the extra flavor that comes along with the dark, smoked edges of Black Forest ham. You will also get more flavor if you choose a premium ham from the deli.

    3. Havarti cheese. This soft white cheese is similar to Swiss but has less of a tart, sour flavor to it which I find more appealing vs. Swiss cheese. If you love Swiss cheese though, you can use that instead.

    THE SAUCE to top the buns is made with: melted salted butter, poppy seeds, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. A tasty combination that adds a lot of flavor, a nice crisp and color to the Hawaiian rolls.

    ★ How to Make this Recipe ★

    Cut, layer, brush and bake your way to a tray of deliciousness that's big enough to share. These easy ham and cheese sliders make a great brunch or appetizer for special occasions too!

    Here's how to make this yummy ham and cheese slider recipe, step by step. It's simple!

    1. Cut the entire block of Hawaiian rolls in half.
    2. Layer ham slices, folded in half, on top of bottom half of rolls.
    3. Add Havarti cheese squares.
    4. Melt butter and add onion powder, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to form sauce.
    5. Add tops of rolls then brush with butter sauce.
    6. Cover with foil and bake!

    For full recipe instructions, see below!

    Watch the video beneath the recipe (below) to see these steps in action!

    ★ Tips ★

    Storing Leftovers

    You can store these in the fridge for up to 3 days after baking. Cover tightly and reheat for 30 seconds in the microwave or using the toaster oven for crisper buns. Open bun into two halves and toast for 3-5 minutes at 300˚.

    Prep and Cooking Tips

    Don't separate your rolls. Cut them in half as a big block. It's much easier and will save you time!
    Slice Hawaiian Rolls
    Fold ham slices in quarters to add texture to your bite.
    Feel free to also add extra ham if you want a meatier slider. Or extra cheese for that matter.
    Cover with foil. Then carefully uncover for just the last 3-5 minutes to lightly brown and crisp the tops of the rolls. Less time for less crispy and less brown, more time for more crispy and more brown. Shoot for a golden brown color.

    ★ FAQs ★

    Follow these tips to make the BEST ham and cheese sliders of your life. Not even exaggerating. 🙂

    Which Hawaiian rolls are best for sliders?

    When you go to the store you'll notice two flavors of Hawaiian rolls — savory butter and original sweet. I've tried using both to make these ham and cheese sliders. Both are actually good!
    However, I personally like the savory butter flavor a little better. The original sweet rolls along with the sweetness of the ham can be just a little too much sweetness for me.
    It's up to you though. Try them both and see what you like best. I always say, there are no right or wrong choices in cooking when it comes to flavor. It's about what you like. So take time to experiment and see what you and your family like best. And have some fun with taste testing!

    Which cheese goes best with ham?

    A popular pairing with ham is Swiss cheese but I personally love mild Havarti cheese. It's creamy but less bitter than Swiss. It's also more kid-friendly. When making ham and cheese sliders, Havarti is my go-to cheese.

    Can ham and cheese sliders be made the night before?

    Yes. You can prep sliders ahead of time then bake them right before you're ready to eat. Just cover the assembled sliders with foil and keep refrigerated until you're ready to bake them. It's best to make and store the butter topping separately and brush it on right before baking but it is not essential since the butter will crisp the rolls when baked.

    Can ham and cheese sliders be frozen?

    Yes. You can make these ahead and cover with foil but don't bake. Put them in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you're ready to bake, ideally let them thaw and then bake. If baking from frozen, you may need to add 5 or more minutes of bake time.

    How to keep sliders from getting soggy?

    Bake the sliders uncovered at first to let steam escape, then cover with foil halfway through to keep the tops. If you are preparing these ahead of time, it's best to store the butter topping separately and brush it on right before baking.

    ★ More Recipes You'll Love ★

    • Creamy Ham and Potato Soup
      Creamy Ham and Potato Soup
    • Easy Hawaiian Fried Rice
      Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice
    • Crockpot Ham with Honey-Lemon-Lime Glaz
      Crockpot Ham with Honey Lemon Glaze
    • Ham Bone Split Pea Soup - Stovetop or Crockpot
      Split Pea Soup

    Ham and Cheese Recipes

    Love this combo? I can't blame you. They just go together!

    Here are all my other recipes incorporating ham and cheese:

    • Low-fat Ham and Cheese Quiche
    • Leftover Ham and Potato Soup
    • Cajun Ham and Cheese Biscuits
    • Oven-baked Ham and Cheese Croissant Melts

    ★ What People Are Saying ★

    These sliders are always a hit! Here's what people have said about this recipe:

    “These are my absolute fav!”
    “I could literally eat a dozen”
    “Delicious!”
    “This couldn’t be easier or more delicious!!”
    “Best use of leftover ham!”

    This easy recipe for baked ham and cheese Hawaiian roll sliders were featured on South Your Mouth!

    Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Roll Sliders

    Ham and Havarti Cheese Sliders

    Author: Angela G.
    You'll love these little oven-baked ham and cheese sliders! Made with Havarti cheese and black forest ham on savory butter Hawaiian rolls, then topped with a buttery mustard and poppy seed glaze. Always a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
    4.49 from 35 reviews
    Reviews
    Course: Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Snacks
    Cuisine: American
    Skill Level: Easy
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 Servings
    Yield: 12 sliders

    Equipment

    • 9x12 baking pan
    • foil
    • bread knife
    • silicon brush

    Ingredients 

    • 1 package Savory Butter Hawaiian Rolls 12 count
    • 12 slices black forest ham
    • 6 slices Havarti cheese

    Mustard-Butter Glaze

    • 4 tablespoon salted butter
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce optional
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder optional
    • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

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    Instructions

    • Prepare rolls and baking dish. Slice the entire block of rolls in half without separating the rolls.
      Remove top half of Hawaiian rolls and set aside. Place bottom half of rolls in a 9x12 baking pan, lightly greased with butter.
    • Add ham and cheese. Layer each roll with a slice of ham and a half slice of cheese.
    • Prepare and add buttery topping. In a microwavable bowl, cover and heat butter for about 30 second or until melted. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and poppy seeds.
      Add the top layer of rolls and brush with butter-poppy seed mixture.
    • Bake. Loosely cover with foil and bake at 350˚ for about 15 minutes.
      Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and tops of buns are golden brown.

    Video

    Notes

    If tops of buns brown too quickly, before the cheese is all the way melted, re-cover with foil and continue baking.

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 1slider | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 516mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 228IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Follow Mighty Mrs. for more easy recipes!Find @MightyMrs on Pinterest

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    169.3K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. McKenzie Erickson says

      February 03, 2025 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      Made these after work one evening and they were devoured! They heat up well and I loved the.

      Reply
    2. Debbie says

      March 24, 2024 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks for the recipe! These are great, but carb count isn’t correct. The rolls themselves have way more than 1gram.

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        March 24, 2024 at 5:45 pm

        Hi Debbie, You are right. The nutrition facts were pulling just 1 roll, not the full pack of 12. I've updated to correct that! Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    3. Aurora says

      February 26, 2024 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      These are delicious. I have made them several times now and they are always a hit. I follow the recipe exactly

      Reply
    4. Todd says

      November 19, 2023 at 8:01 am

      Can you switch the cheese and add palmetto cheese spread

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        November 22, 2023 at 10:54 am

        Hi Todd, I haven't tried this as far as flavor so that is up to you! Palmetto cheese spread may melt more quickly since it's not a hard as others cheeses like Havarti but if you're OK with the cheese being a bit more sauce-like, I would give it a try and see what you think!

        Reply
    5. Lindsay Roberts says

      October 10, 2023 at 7:29 pm

      Hi! I’m wondering if this would work in a disposable baking pan to take to someone who just had a baby. That way they don’t have to worry about dishes. Would you suggest any extra prepping with the pan beforehand?

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        October 11, 2023 at 7:29 am

        Yes, you can absolutely use a foil pan. I have done this many times. I would lightly grease with butter or spray the inside of the pan with non-stick to help prevent buns and melted cheese from sticking.

        Reply
        • Lindsay Roberts says

          October 11, 2023 at 12:18 pm

          Ok perfect, thank you!! Can’t wait to try it! 🙂

    6. KMO says

      April 01, 2023 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      I made this recipe for a quick lunch. I only made a few changes: I had already bought sweet Hawaiian rolls so I used those; I used thinly sliced Swiss cheese; and I brushed a prepared garlic/onion butter on top. They were quite tasty and we enjoyed them.

      Reply
    7. Elizabeth says

      January 23, 2023 at 9:43 am

      Have you ever added scrambled eggs to to make it more of a breakfast sandwich?

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        January 23, 2023 at 3:44 pm

        I haven't but you definitely could. I bet it would be tasty! When I make ham and cheese breakfast sandwiches, I usually make them on croissants. So yummy. Here's my recipe for Ham and Cheese Croissant Melts.

        Reply
    8. Stephanie says

      December 24, 2022 at 9:43 am

      This is a Christmas Eve tradition for my husband's family. My mother-in-law has been making them for years. We prepare them the night before and bake them for our family lunch.

      Reply
    9. Amy says

      December 23, 2022 at 1:48 pm

      If I’m trying to prepare these the night before, would you recommend adding the butter mixture on top the night before or save it to add just before popping into the oven? Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        December 23, 2022 at 2:46 pm

        Hi Amy, you can add the butter before hand. It may sink into the rolls just a bit but they will crisp when baked. If you add it before you put in the oven, you may have a bit better results.

        Reply
      • Sara says

        April 16, 2023 at 4:34 pm

        5 stars
        I put the mixture on the day before and then pop 'em in the oven for lunch/dinner the next day. They always turn out perfect!

        Reply
    10. Marie says

      December 16, 2022 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Easy, fast minimal effort for a big result. These were a big hit at a recent holiday party. Thanks!

      Reply
    11. Sherry says

      October 22, 2022 at 12:54 pm

      The very best ham in the world is from Honey Baked Ham Co.

      Reply
    12. Deb says

      September 14, 2022 at 9:02 pm

      Can you make these the day before and refrigerate?

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        September 15, 2022 at 7:16 am

        Yes, you can prepare them in advance including the sauce topping and just cover with foil. Refrigerate and bake when you're ready.

        Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 22, 2022 at 7:10 pm

        @Angela G., Do I need to bring them to room temp before baking, or maybe bake for how much longer?

        Reply
        • Angela G. says

          December 23, 2022 at 2:47 pm

          Yes, or you can add 2-3 minutes to the bake time as needed. You'll know they're done when the cheese is fully melted.

    13. cindi says

      August 22, 2022 at 12:31 pm

      You can buy Pillsbury Hawaiian croissants but they are so small, I wanted to try this on a large Hawaiian croissant roll. Any ideas

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        August 22, 2022 at 2:07 pm

        I use Kings Hawaiian Rolls. They are pre-cooked, usually located in the bakery section of the grocery store. Do you have those available to you?

        Reply
    14. Sarah says

      July 23, 2022 at 11:52 am

      Yum, I can’t wait to make this!! But it doesn’t say how long to bake them for?? Also, the ingredients list calls for onion powder but the directions say garlic powder. Just want to clarify which one is correct? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Angela G. says

        August 22, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Should be onion powder! Bake time is listed in the instructions along with a few tips. Be sure to check that out. Thanks for asking!

        Reply
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