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Hawaiian Ham and Cheese sliders

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There are few things tastier than baked Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders. Loaded with ham, two kinds of cheese, and pineapple, these delicious sliders are the hit of any party. They’re also easy to make and can be had on the table in no time!

hand picking up hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

Made on Kings Hawaiian sweet bread, these tasty sliders are a quick and easy fix, and it all starts with this sweet bread. Native to Hawai’i, Kings Hawaiian has been delighting people for decades with their amazing Hawaiian rolls. It’s light, fluffy, and slightly sweet, and it’s the perfect choice for these Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders.

It’s a combination of authentic, soft Hawaiian bread and juicy pineapple that makes these Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders something special. Made with kid-friendly ingredients but with plenty of adult appeal, I serve these ham and cheese sliders on game day, at family events, or whenever we’re craving something casual but still delicious. 

hawaiian ham and cheese sliders top down view

Pineapple and Kings Hawaiian Go Hand-In-Hand

Hawaiian sweet rolls were popularized by Kings Hawaiian, a bakery that started in Hilo, Hawai’i, in the late 1950s. Pineapples are also a considerable part of the Hawaiian culture, and the pineapple plantations brought many ethnic groups to Hawai’i and with them came their cuisines. Today, Hawaiian cuisine has its own identity but is very much influenced by the flavors of the globe. 

When you pair these amazing sweet slider buns with pineapple, you get a Hawaiian rolls slider recipe that’s distinctly Hawaiian and delicious.

hawaiian rolls for hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

What You Need To Make Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders

(Full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post)

  • Nonstick cooking spray. You don’t want anything sticking after all.
  • Hawaiian sweet rolls. You can find this at most grocery stores in the bread aisle. If you can’t find Hawaiian sweet bread you can use another sweet bread and if all else fails dinner rolls will suffice too. If you want to be adventurous you can make you own Portuguese sweet bread that is a great alternative
  • Mayonnaise. This is a great addition to keep your sliders moist and flavorful.
  • Deli-sliced ham. I love honey glazed or  Black Forest ham for this recipe, but your favorite unflavored thinly sliced ham will work (now’s not the time to use Tuscan ham or other flavored deli hams).
  • Cheddar cheese. I prefer sharp cheddar, but use what you have.
  • Swiss cheese. The deli will slice these for you or you can get the precut option.
  • Pineapple rings. Be sure to drain them well. Save the juice for your drinks or an addition to sauces.
  • Butter. Salted or unsalted butter will work here.
  • Italian seasoning. You can swap this out for some poppy seeds if you’d like.
hawaiian ham and cheese sliders ingredients

How To Make Ham & Swiss Sliders

This is an easy recipe, and you can have it ready to go into the oven in under 20 minutes!

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray an 8 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  2. Open the package of Hawaiian sweet rolls and cut them in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish.
  3. Spread the mayonnaise over the bottom half of the rolls. Next, layer half of the deli ham over the bread, followed by the cheddar cheese, the remainder of the ham, the swiss cheese, and then finish with the pineapple rings. Place the top half of the buns back on the sandwich.
  4. To a small bowl, add butter and Italian seasoning. Mix to combine—reserve 2 tablespoons of the melted butter mixture. Pour the remainder of the mixture over the top of the bread. 
  5. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the foil and brush with the reserved butter mixture. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bread is lightly browned.
  6. Once the hot ham and cheese sliders have finished baking, remove them from the pan and cut them into 12 sliders and enjoy!
putting together hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

Tips To Make Delicious Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders

  • Take the bread out of the package without pulling the rolls apart from each other. Lay them on the counter and slice through the whole set of 12 rolls horizontally with a large serrated knife. This makes it easy to layer them with the ham, cheese, and pineapple if they’re one giant roll and not individual sliders.
  • After they’re hot and gooey, take a sharp knife and cut between the sliders to pull them apart.
  • Drain the pineapple rings well – You can place them onto paper towels to absorb the excess moisture.
italian seasoning and melted butter in a bowl for hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

How To Store Your Hawaiian Roll Ham Sliders?

Refrigerate any leftover sliders in the fridge for a day or two. Tightly wrap them in plastic wrap or put them in an airtight container. Warm them in the oven or toaster oven to reheat.

top down of hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ham and cheese sliders with garlic?

Sure! You have a few choices – add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder to the butter and Italian seasoning, or turn up the flavor by adding a finely minced clove of garlic to the mixture.

Can Hawaiian ham and cheese sliders be made ahead of time?

Yes! I would prepare them as directed in the recipe, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge until ready to bake. I’d add an extra minute or two of baking time or let the sliders warm up on the counter for a few minutes before baking.

Are ham and cheese sliders easy to make?

Yes, they sure are! If you get the ham and cheeses already sliced, all you need to do is spread on the mayo, load in the fillings, and then butter the top of the sliders. That’s it!

Can you freeze these sliders?

These sliders are freezer friendly and work great for meal prep. You can freeze these before or after you bake them. Allow to cool completely, wrap in plastic wrap (or your plastic wrap alternative), and place in a zip top bag or airtight container. These will keep for up to 6 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to defrost and reheat in the oven to bring back the toastiness. You can also reheat in the microwave.

close up of a pile of hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

Other great lunch ideas

close up of a pile of hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders

Relle Lum
There are few things tastier than baked Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders. Loaded with ham, two kinds of cheese, and pineapple, these delicious sliders are the hit of any party. They’re also easy to make and can be had on the table in no time!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine Local
Servings 12 sliders
Calories 236 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Hawaiian sweet rolls 12 count
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 pound deli sliced ham
  • 6 slices cheddar cheese
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 can 20 ounces pineapple rings
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Cut the Hawaiian sweet rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased 8×13 baking dish.
  • Spread mayonnaise over the bottom half of the rolls. Next layer half of the deli ham over the bread, followed by the cheddar cheese, the remainder of the ham, the swiss cheese, and top with the pineapple rings. Place the top half of the buns back on the sandwich.
  • To a small bowl add butter and Italian seasoning. Mix to combine. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Pour the remainder of the mixture over the top of the bread. 
  • Cover the pan with foil and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the foil and brush with the reserved butter mixture. Return pan to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown.
  • Once sandwiches have finished baking, remove from pan and cut into 12 sliders and ENJOY!

Notes

  • Take the bread out of the package without pulling the rolls apart from each other. Lay them on the counter and slice through the whole set of 12 rolls horizontally with a large serrated knife. This makes it easy to layer them with the ham, cheese, and pineapple if they’re one giant roll and not individual sliders.
  • After they’re hot and gooey, take a sharp knife and cut between the sliders to pull them apart.
  • Drain the pineapple rings well – You can place them onto paper towels to absorb the excess moisture.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 16gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 559mgSugar: 1g
    Keyword easy recipe, ham and cheese, ham and cheese sliders, hawaiian ham and cheese sliders, hawaiian sliders, keeping it relle, quick lunch, sandwiches
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    © Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!

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    hawaiian ham and cheese sliders

    By on January 15th, 2022

    About Relle

    Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

    I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

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    7 thoughts on “Hawaiian Ham and Cheese sliders”

    1. 5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
    2. Once a while can you post something for those who cook for only themself or maybe for two? Thinking of seniors who live alone.

      Reply
      • Aloha Gary. Thanks for the suggestion. I have a family of four so most recipes are based on that. An easy tip is cut the recipe in half to serve two and you can freeze the extras most times. Have a great day.

        Reply

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