Hot Ham And Cheese Sliders: Baking Time And Tips

Hot ham and cheese sliders are a popular choice for parties, game day, and family meals. They are easy to make and can be prepared in advance. The sliders are typically made with Hawaiian sweet rolls, ham, Swiss cheese, and a butter sauce made with Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds. The rolls are sliced in half, layered with ham and cheese, and then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted. The baking time for the sliders is usually around 20 minutes, but it can vary depending on the oven and the size of the pan.

How to make the sliders

How to Make Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ingredients:

• Hawaiian sweet rolls
• Deli ham
• Swiss cheese
• Butter
• Dijon mustard
• Poppy seeds
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dried minced onion
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Mayonnaise

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Cut the rolls in half with a serrated knife, keeping the rolls connected.
• Spread mayonnaise onto one side of the sliced rolls.
• Layer slices of ham on top of the mayonnaise, covering the entire surface area of the rolls.
• Add a layer of Swiss cheese on top of the ham.
• Replace the top half of the rolls.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, melted butter, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Drizzle the sauce on top of the rolls.
• Cover your sliders with foil and let them sit for 10 minutes.
• Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Uncover the sliders and bake for another 2-5 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Tips:

• You can make these sliders in advance by assembling them in a pan, covering with foil, and refrigerating for up to 4 hours before baking.
• To reheat, wrap the sliders in foil and pop them into a preheated oven for around 10 minutes.
• You can also freeze the sliders for up to 6 months. Allow them to thaw overnight before baking.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, gruyere, or Monterey Jack.
• If you don't have poppy seeds, you can use everything bagel seasoning instead.
• For a spicier option, add sliced pickled jalapeños to the ham layer.

What to serve with them

Hot ham and cheese sliders are a delicious snack, perfect for parties, game days, and family meals. But what to serve with them? Here are some ideas to make your meal or party a success!

Appetizers and Small Bites

Hot ham and cheese sliders are quite rich and filling, so it's a good idea to serve them with some lighter options as well. Here are some suggestions:

• Chips and dip
• Nuts
• Fresh fruit
• Veggie crudites platter

Side Dishes

If you want to make the sliders the main event, you can pair them with some tasty side dishes. Here are some options:

• Grilled asparagus
• Pasta salad
• Roasted potatoes
• Potato or hash brown casserole
• Pineapple casserole
• Potato salad
• Italian pasta salad
• Chili
• Mac and cheese
• Coleslaw
• Fruit salad

Dessert

To finish off your meal, why not try a sweet treat? Apple crisp is a great option to pair with the savoury sliders.

How to store them

Storing your ham and cheese sliders is a simple process. If you have any leftover, you can keep them in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, cover the sliders and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through.

You can also make these sliders ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Simply assemble the sliders, cover the pan with foil, and refrigerate for up to four hours. Then, when you're ready to eat, bake them as instructed.

If you want to store your sliders for longer, you can freeze them for up to six months. Allow them to thaw overnight before baking.

To reheat individual sliders, wrap one or two in foil and pop them into a preheated oven for around 10 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to reheat them

There are several ways to reheat ham and cheese sliders, and the best method for you will depend on the equipment you have available. Here is a step-by-step guide for reheating your sliders to perfection:

Reheating in an Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the sliders on a baking sheet and cover them tightly with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. If you want to crisp up the rolls, remove the foil and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Reheating in a Skillet:

This method is ideal if you want to crisp up the rolls. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and add a teaspoon of butter or oil. Place the sliders in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula until the rolls are crispy and the filling is hot.

Reheating in an Air Fryer:

If you want to achieve crispy rolls and melted cheese, an air fryer is a great option. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and place the sliders in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through.

Reheating in a Microwave:

While this method may not result in crispy rolls, it is a quick and convenient option. Place the sliders on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Heat for 30-second intervals, flipping once, until warmed through.

Reheating on a Grill:

For ultimate flavour, you can reheat your sliders on a grill. Toast the rolls directly over the heat and heat the filling gently to prevent burning.

Reheating in an Oven Toaster:

If you only want to reheat a few sliders, an oven toaster is a great option. Preheat it to 350°F and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until warmed through and the rolls are crisped.

Tips for Reheating:

• Always reheat fully assembled sliders to prevent the bread from getting soggy.
• Wrapping sliders in foil helps to steam the inside and prevent drying out.
• For maximum crispiness, place the sliders directly on the rack in the oven or toaster oven, rather than on a baking sheet.
• Let the sliders rest for 1-2 minutes after reheating to prevent burning your mouth.
• Gently pressing on the tops of the rolls while reheating can help seal in moisture.
• Brushing the rolls with butter or oil before reheating can enhance browning and add flavour.
• To achieve a texture similar to fresh sliders, reheat in a hot skillet or on the grill to crisp and slightly char the rolls.
• Avoid reheating for longer than necessary, as this can toughen the rolls and cause the cheese to separate from the filling.

Variations on the recipe

There are several ways to change up the classic hot ham and cheese slider recipe. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cheese alternatives: While Swiss cheese is a popular choice for these sliders, you can use any melting cheese you prefer. Some alternatives include cheddar, tasty cheese, gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Colby.
• Meat alternatives: If you're not a fan of ham, or just want to try something different, you can substitute it with other meats like turkey, salami, or pepperoni. One commenter on Allrecipes.com even suggests making a vegetarian option with just cheese.
• Roll alternatives: Hawaiian rolls are a popular choice for this recipe, but you can use any small slider-type roll. If you want to try something different, you might try brioche rolls or wholemeal bread.
• Topping alternatives: The classic topping for these sliders is a mixture of butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and dried onion. However, you can experiment with different toppings like mayonnaise, honey, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, or everything bagel seasoning. You can also add extra ingredients to the topping, like brown sugar to make it a sweet honey mustard.
• Add-ins: Some people like to add extra ingredients to the layers of the sliders, such as mayonnaise, rehydrated onions, or salami.

Frequently asked questions