Why are my sliders soggy on the bottom?

Keep the correct order in mind when assembling the sliders. The ham should create a barrier between the milk sauce and buns, keeping them from becoming soggy.

Do you cover sliders when baking?

These sliders should be covered for the first portion of baking—giving them time to heat through without browning too excessively on top. The cover is then removed to allow them to brown.

What cheese goes best with ham?

Any cheese can pair well with the ham in these sliders. Feel free to choose one you love, or opt for Swiss, Cheddar, or provolone for classic choices.

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders Recipe

Name: Ham-And-Cheese Sliders
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole milk; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard; 1 tablespoon honey; 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (such as King's Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls), split; 1 pound thinly sliced deli ham; 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded (about 2 cups); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

6

Yield:

12 sliders

There's nothing highbrow about these ham-and-cheese sliders. We start with Hawaiian rolls that are brushed with honey mustard. They're topped with ham, cheese, and an amazingly indulgent homemade béchamel sauce before being topped with even more Gruyère cheese. We brush the tops of the sliders with melted butter before baking to perfection in a 400 degree oven.

Southerners will instantly recognize this handheld staple, and the first bite is bound to kickstart all kinds of reminiscing about the last time a melty, gooey, baked ham-and-cheese slider hit the taste buds. While our version is slightly different than the poppyseed version you might have grown up with, it's certainly just as delicious.

Learn how to make these ham-and-cheese sliders. Whether we're talking church potluck, game day, or even a casual family lunch, there's no wrong time for these Southern classics.

Ingredients for Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

Hawaiian rolls, deli ham, Gruyère cheese, and honey-mustard make for a satisfying, gooey bite. To make these sliders, you'll need:

Unsalted butter: Pairs with flour to create a roux to thicken the béchamel.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the béchamel.
Whole milk: The base of the béchamel. The sauce is spread onto the buns to create a bubbly, gooey texture in the final sliders.
Kosher salt: Seasons the sauce.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a hint of spice that adds warmth and depth to the milk sauce.
Whole-grain mustard and honey: A honey mustard sauce for a classic ham and cheese slider flavor. Can leave out, or substitute with a maple Dijon sauce, buffalo sauce, and more.
Hawaiian sweet rolls: For a sweet roll that balances the savory filling. Can also opt for savory Hawaiian rolls.
Thinly sliced deli ham: Or substitute with any sliced meat of your choosing.
Gruyère cheese: A nutty cheese with a slightly sweet flavor and creamy texture. Can substitute with other types of shredded cheeses, including Cheddar or Swiss.
Flat-leaf parsley: Adds a pop of color and freshness to the rich sliders.

How To Make Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

Just 15 minutes of active time is all it takes to have a batch of these hot sliders ready to go. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease an 11- x 7-inch baking dish with butter.
Step 2. Make sauce: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in salt and nutmeg.
Step 3. Make honey-mustard: Stir together mustard and honey. Melt remaining butter.
Step 4. Build sliders: Place bottom roll halves in baking dish and spread with honey-mustard. Top with ham, milk sauce, and cheese. Place tops on; brush with butter and sprinkle with parsley. Cover with foil.
Step 5. Bake: Bake 8 minutes, then uncover and bake until rolls are golden.

Variations for Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

When it comes to sliders, you can add or change up the ingredients as much as you like:

Cheese: Gruyère can be substituted with any preferred sliced or shredded cheeses, including Gouda, Swiss, provolone, white Cheddar, pepper Jack, and more.
Meat: Whether you use turkey, chicken, or roast beef, any type of meat with do nicely in these sliders.
Bread: Substitute the sweet Hawaiian rolls with savory butter rolls, or any buns you prefer.
Flavorings: You can switch up the honey-mustard for a maple and Dijon mustard combination, spice things up with buffalo sauce, add a twist with barbecue sauce, or switch up the fillings completely for a twist on the classic.
Add-ons: Onions, pickles, jalapeños, pineapple, and more can be added into the sliders before baking.
Toppings: Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, flaky sea salt, or freshly cracked black pepper can replace the parsley. For a sweet twist, brush the sliders with honey butter after baking.

Can I Make Ham-and-Cheese Sliders Ahead?

To get ahead of your party prep, assemble the sliders ahead of time, then wrap and refrigerate up to one day in advance. Bring to room temperature, then brush with butter, sprinkle with parsley, cover, and bake as directed.

To reheat leftovers, cover and heat in a preheated 350°F oven or toaster oven until hot throughout.

What To Serve with Ham-and-Cheese Sliders

These ham-and-cheese sliders are a great appetizer or main dish for just about any occasion. Pair with other hot appetizers at your next party, serve for lunch with potato chips, fries, coleslaw, pasta salad, or pickled veggies, or serve for dinner with a side salad, roasted veggies, or soup.

Ingredients

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp. whole-grain mustard
1 Tbsp. honey
12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (such as King's Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls), split
1 lb. thinly sliced deli ham
8 oz. Gruyère cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Prepare oven and baking dish:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease an 11- x 7-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter.
Make sauce:

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high. Add flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk; bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium; cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
Make honey-mustard mixture:

Stir together mustard and honey in a small bowl; set aside. Microwave remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small microwavable bowl on HIGH until melted, about 20 seconds.
Build sliders:

Arrange bottom roll halves in prepared baking dish; spread evenly with honey-mustard. Top evenly with ham, milk sauce, and cheese. Replace top roll halves; brush tops evenly with melted butter, and sprinkle with parsley. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake sliders:

Bake in preheated oven 8 minutes. Remove and discard foil. Continue baking until cheese is melted and rolls are golden, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my sliders soggy on the bottom?

Keep the correct order in mind when assembling the sliders. The ham should create a barrier between the milk sauce and buns, keeping them from becoming soggy.
Do you cover sliders when baking?

These sliders should be covered for the first portion of baking—giving them time to heat through without browning too excessively on top. The cover is then removed to allow them to brown.
What cheese goes best with ham?

Any cheese can pair well with the ham in these sliders. Feel free to choose one you love, or opt for Swiss, Cheddar, or provolone for classic choices.