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Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders with Mustard Onion Butter Recipe

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4.5 from 84 reviews

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders are a delicious American game-day favorite featuring soft white rolls filled with thinly sliced ham and melting Swiss cheese. These sliders are brushed with a tangy mustard and onion poppyseed butter sauce, then baked until the cheese is perfectly melted and the tops are golden and crusty. Ideal for parties or using leftover Christmas ham, this recipe delivers a savory, cheesy, and tangy bite that elevates the classic ham sandwich to a crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

Sliders:

  • 12 standard or 24 small soft white rolls slab (23 x 33cm / 9 x 13″ slab)
  • 1/3 cup American mustard (bright yellow mustard)
  • 350g (12 oz) ham, shaved or thinly sliced (up to 500g/1 lb if preferred)
  • 250g (8 oz) Swiss cheese or other melting cheese slices (10 – 12 slices)

Onion Poppyseed Butter:

  • 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp American mustard
  • 1 tbsp poppyseeds
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or fresh garlic finely minced)
  • 1/2 tsp cooking or kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (320°F) fan-forced. Line the base of a 23 x 33cm (9 x 13″) pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Make Savoury Butter: In a bowl, mix melted butter, finely chopped onion, American mustard, poppyseeds, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
  3. Assemble Base: Slice the slab of rolls horizontally into halves. Spread 1/3 cup of mustard evenly on both the base and lid of the rolls. Place the bottom halves in the prepared pan, layer with ham slices, then top with cheese slices. Do not put the tops on yet.
  4. Bake Topless: Bake the open-faced sandwich in the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted completely. This step ensures proper melting of the cheese.
  5. Smother with Butter: Remove the pan from the oven. Place the tops of the rolls onto the sliders, then pour or spoon the onion poppyseed butter evenly over the entire top, making sure all parts are coated.
  6. Covered Bake: Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the butter to soak in.
  7. Pierce for Soakage: Remove the foil and gently pierce the intersections where the roll corners meet with a skewer or fork. This encourages the butter to soak thoroughly into the bread.
  8. Final Bake: Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes or until the top is golden and crusty.
  9. Serve Hot: Cut the sliders while still hot into individual servings and enjoy immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Soft rolls work best so the sliders meld together nicely. Aim for a slab that fits snugly in a 23 x 33cm (9 x 13″) pan. Hawaiian rolls are perfect for the U.S., either 12 large or 24 small.
  • Use American mustard (bright yellow) for the classic tangy flavor. Avoid hot English mustard or wholegrain mustard as their flavors and textures differ.
  • Ham quantity can be increased to 500g (1 lb) if slicing your own ham; the recipe uses 350g for store-bought shaved ham.
  • Poppyseeds add nuttiness and a fun texture though you can omit them if unavailable.
  • If you lack a 23 x 33cm pan, use a similarly sized baking tray lined with foil and tightly wrap the bread to keep the butter in while baking.
  • Baking the sliders without the lid initially is crucial to fully melt the cheese quickly and evenly.
  • Leftovers can be stored for 3-4 days depending on the ham’s shelf life and are best reheated in the oven to revive texture and flavor.
  • Recipe inspired by various online versions but adjusted to ensure proper cheese melting and balanced flavor.

Find it online: https://recipebychef.com/hot-ham-and-cheese-sliders-with-mustard-onion-butter-recipe/