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Ham and Swiss Sliders


  • Author: Chloe

Ingredients

This recipe is all about simplicity and flavor. You don’t need a long list of complicated ingredients to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need to assemble these mouthwatering Ham and Swiss Sliders:

  • Slider Buns: The foundation of our sliders! Look for soft, sweet slider buns, often sold in packs. Hawaiian sweet rolls are a classic and delicious choice, adding a touch of sweetness that complements the savory ham and Swiss. You can also use other types of soft slider buns if you prefer.
  • Cooked Ham: The star protein! You’ll want thinly sliced cooked ham. Deli ham works perfectly, and you can choose your favorite variety – black forest ham, honey ham, or even smoked ham for a deeper flavor. Pre-sliced ham saves time, but you can also slice a ham steak yourself.
  • Swiss Cheese: The perfect cheesy partner for ham! Swiss cheese offers a nutty, slightly sweet, and mild flavor that melts beautifully. Pre-sliced Swiss cheese is convenient, or you can buy a block and slice it yourself. For a sharper taste, consider using Gruyere cheese, which is similar to Swiss but with a more pronounced flavor.
  • Butter: For richness and flavor! Unsalted butter is preferred, as it allows you to control the saltiness of the dish. Butter is melted and brushed over the slider buns, creating a golden, crispy top and adding a layer of decadent flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: A touch of tang and depth! Dijon mustard adds a subtle kick and complexity to the sliders. Its sharp, slightly acidic flavor cuts through the richness of the ham and cheese, creating a balanced taste.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Umami booster! Worcestershire sauce brings a savory, umami depth that elevates the flavor profile. Just a dash adds a noticeable richness and complexity.
  • Poppy Seeds: Texture and visual appeal! Poppy seeds sprinkled on top add a lovely visual contrast and a subtle nutty flavor and slight crunch. They also help the sliders look even more appetizing.
  • Dried Onion Flakes or Powder: Aromatic and savory! Dried onion flakes or powder provides a hint of onion flavor that complements the ham and cheese. Onion powder offers a more subtle, evenly distributed flavor, while onion flakes give a bit more texture and a slightly stronger onion taste. Freshly minced onion can also be used for a stronger onion flavor, but ensure it is finely minced to cook through properly.
  • Optional: Brown Sugar: A hint of sweetness (optional)! A tiny touch of brown sugar in the butter mixture can enhance the sweetness of the Hawaiian rolls and create a more caramelized top. This is entirely optional and depends on your preference for sweetness.
  • Optional: Garlic Powder or Fresh Garlic: Garlic boost (optional)! For garlic lovers, adding garlic powder or minced fresh garlic to the butter mixture can elevate the flavor even further. Garlic powder is convenient, while fresh garlic offers a more pungent, robust garlic flavor. If using fresh garlic, mince it very finely to ensure it cooks through and doesn’t burn.

Instructions

Making these Ham and Swiss Sliders is incredibly easy and quick. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of delicious sliders that everyone will love:

  1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the sliders from sticking and make cleanup easier. You can use cooking spray or a little butter to grease the dish.
  2. Prepare the Slider Buns: Gently separate the slider buns into a single sheet, keeping the tops and bottoms connected. This will make assembly easier and ensure all the sliders bake evenly together. Don’t fully separate the individual buns yet; we’ll do that after baking.
  3. Layer the Bottom Buns with Ham and Cheese: Place the bottom half of the slider buns in the prepared baking dish. Now, start layering on the delicious fillings. First, evenly distribute the sliced ham over the bottom buns, making sure to cover each bun generously. Don’t be shy with the ham – a good layer is key to a satisfying slider. Next, place the Swiss cheese slices on top of the ham, ensuring each bun is covered with cheese. If your cheese slices are small, you might need to use a couple per slider to get good coverage.
  4. Prepare the Butter Topping: In a small, microwave-safe bowl or a saucepan, melt the butter. If microwaving, heat in short intervals (about 30 seconds at a time) until melted, stirring in between to prevent splattering. If using a saucepan, melt over low heat. Once the butter is melted, stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and dried onion flakes or powder (and optional brown sugar and garlic powder/fresh garlic, if using). Whisk everything together until well combined. This butter mixture is the secret to adding incredible flavor and a beautiful golden crust to the sliders.
  5. Brush the Butter Topping over the Slider Buns: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the butter mixture evenly over the top of the slider buns. Make sure to coat all the buns, allowing the flavorful butter to soak into the tops. This butter topping will create a crispy, golden-brown crust as the sliders bake and infuse them with delicious savory flavors.
  6. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This is important because it traps the steam and helps the cheese melt beautifully without the buns drying out too much. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey, and the buns are heated through.
  7. Uncover and Bake Further (Optional): For extra crispy tops, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking. This will allow the tops of the buns to brown and crisp up nicely under the oven’s heat. Keep a close eye on them during this time to prevent burning. If you prefer softer buns, you can skip this step and keep the foil on for the entire baking time.
  8. Let Rest Briefly and Serve: Once baked to your liking, remove the sliders from the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set slightly and makes them easier to handle. Using a long serrated knife or a pizza cutter, carefully slice through the connected buns to separate them into individual sliders.
  9. Serve Immediately and Enjoy! Serve the Ham and Swiss Sliders immediately while they are warm and cheesy. They are perfect as an appetizer, a light meal, or a party snack. Get ready for rave reviews – these sliders are always a crowd-pleaser!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 350
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg