Ham and cheese sliders are one of my very favorite go-to's for an easy meal or a crowd-pleasing snack, and making them in the air fryer is even better. They come out warm, toasty, and perfectly melted in just minutes.
I've been making these little sandwiches for years, whether for a quick lunch, a game-day treat, or a simple dinner when I don't feel like cooking something big. The air fryer makes the process even faster and fuss-free, with no need to heat up the oven.
Let me show you how to put these together for a meal that's as easy as it is satisfying.
Jump to:
- You will love these Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
- What you'll need for Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
- How to make these Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Sliders in the Air Fryer
- Substitutions and Variations
- Expert Tips
- Serving Hawaiian Roll Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Storing Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- More Delicious Recipes to Enjoy
- More Favorites from Ovenspiration
- 📖 Recipe
You will love these Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and cheese sliders are one of my favorite recipes because they're simple, flavorful, and always a hit. The combination of salty ham and creamy melted cheese is irresistible, and the soft, buttery buns make for the perfect vehicle to hold it all together.
Plus, they're so versatile - you can customize the recipe to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs, making them a great option for everyone.
I previously made Sloppy Joe Sliders in the oven, but I really wanted an air fryer option for the days ahead. I'm loving this version!
What you'll need for Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
**Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for detailed quantities and directions**
How to make these Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Sliders in the Air Fryer
- First, you need to take a look at your air fryer. I have an oven-style air fryer (Ninja Air Fry Pro Countertop) which I love because it uses a tray to air fry and has so much space! If you have a basket-style air fryer, you might have to break the pack of rolls into smaller blocks to air fry in batches.
- With my tray-style air fryer, I can just line it with parchment paper and fit the entire pack of rolls in at once. You can also brush lightly with oil rather than use parchment paper, if that works better for your air fryer.
- Take the pack of dinner rolls and split them lengthwise with a serrated knife, to make a top and bottom layer.
- Place the bottom half of rolls into the prepared air fryer tray or basket.
Make Your Layers
- Now, take half the cheese and make a layer on the bottom half of the rolls. I like to put cheese next to the bread, both top and bottom, to help prevent the rolls from getting soggy.
- Add the ham to make an even layer, then the rest of the cheese.
- Add the top layer of rolls to cover the sliders.
- Melt or soften the butter in a small bowl (I just microwave for this) and then add the rest of the ingredients: Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. Mix well, then use a baster brush to brush this all over the tops of the rolls.
If it seems like you have extra of the buttery glaze, you can take a knife and lightly score in between the rolls to give the glaze more areas to drizzle in to. 😀
- Place the tray (basket) in the air fryer and air fry for 10 minutes at 325F. Check the sliders after 10 minutes to determine whether an additional minute or so is needed.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the type and size of your air fryer. I have found that higher temperatures and longer times tend to burn the tops of the rolls, so you do need to pay attention toward the end of the cooking time!
Substitutions and Variations
There are plenty of ways to customize this recipe to suit your mood, taste preferences, or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- Use turkey or roast beef instead of ham for a different flavor.
- Swap out the cheese for your favorite variety, such as pepper jack, provolone, or mozzarella.
- Make the sliders vegetarian by using sliced vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado instead of meat.
- Add some spice by mixing hot sauce or chili flakes into the butter mixture.
- You can skip the butter mixture altogether, or just leave out the poppy seeds if you prefer.
Expert Tips
- To make the sliders ahead of time, assemble them without adding the butter on top, then cover and store in the fridge until you're ready to bake.
- For extra gooey cheese, try shredding it instead of using sliced cheese.
- If you don't have Hawaiian rolls, any soft dinner rolls will work in this recipe.
Serving Hawaiian Roll Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and cheese sliders are perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a party, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just enjoying a quick lunch.
I like to serve them with a simple salad or coleslaw for a complete meal. For a fancier presentation, garnish with fresh herbs or sliced tomatoes.
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And by the way, if you bought more rolls than you needed, you can use them to make lemon curd filled Hawaiian rolls - what a delightful sweet treat!
Storing Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and cheese sliders are best served fresh, straight from the air fryer. But you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer before serving.
Can I freeze these sliders?
While these sliders are best served fresh, you can freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then thaw and reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can assemble the sliders up to adding the butter topping and store them in the fridge until you're ready to heat. When you're ready to serve, brush the butter mixture over the top and bake in the air fryer as directed.
Yes, you can use any soft dinner rolls in place of Hawaiian rolls. Just make sure they're sliced in half and that the bread is sturdy enough to hold the filling.
You can adjust the size of the sliders by using smaller or larger rolls. Just adjust the amount of ham and cheese accordingly.
More Delicious Recipes to Enjoy
More Favorites from Ovenspiration
📖 Recipe
Would you like to save this recipe?
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Hawaiian Roll Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 pack Sweet Dinner Rolls (Hawaiian)
- 1 pound ham
- 10 - 12 slices Swiss cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Line your air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper, or brush lightly with oil.
- Split the dinner rolls lengthwise by cutting with a serrated knife to form a top and bottom half. The individual roll pieces should remain connected together.1 pack Sweet Dinner Rolls (Hawaiian)
- Place the bottom half of the bread in the prepared pan. Make an even layer of cheese, using 5-6 deli slices. Then layer with the ham, followed by another layer of cheese. Use the top half of the bread to cover the mixture.1 pound ham, 10 - 12 slices Swiss cheese
- In a small bowl, microwave the butter to melt. Add the mustard, onion powder, poppy seeds, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.¼ cup butter, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Brush the tops of the rolls with the butter mixture. If you seem to have extra, you can lightly score in between the rolls with a sharp knife and drizzle the glaze to drip in between the rolls.
- Air fry for 10 minutes at 325F. The ham will be warmed through, the cheese melted, and the tops browned. Add a minute or 2 as needed to get the sliders done to your preference.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Claire
YES!!!
These were so yummy.
I can't get Hawaiian rolls where I live so I used soft dinner rolls and they worked well.
i used a mixture of cheese as that is what we had and they came out perfectly.
THANK YOU for a great recipe.
Sula
Oh yes, I've had to sub with dinner rolls before and still loved them. The mixture of cheese sounds yummy!
Donna
LOVE how quickly these came together in the air fryer! They cooked just perfectly
Sula
The air fryer is definitely my new favorite way to make sliders!
Jen
These are great sliders! I loved how easy they were to make and your air fryer tips were on point!
Sula
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Shilpa
These sliders were so good! I love that it can be made ahead of time. So convenient.
Sula
They really are super fast and convenient!
Ksenia
These were the perfect marriage of cheesy, smoky and meaty. I loved how easy they were to make and how well they came together!
Sula
Wonderful, these sliders have definitely become a favorite in my house!
Sherry Ronning
I love making this ham and cheese sliders in the air fryer for my daughter and her friends when they are spending time at our house. They all love this recipe and I never have any leftovers. Thank you for a great sliders recipe!!
Sula
I'm so glad you are enjoying these sliders!
Jennifer
I loooove sliders and now that you've shown me how to make them in my air fryer there's no stopping me! These were so good - I loved the bit of extra flavor from the spices!
Sula
Sliders make the perfect meal!
Kelly Stilwell
We love sliders! They’re so perfect for last minute gatherings!
Sula
I agree - everyone loves a slider!
Betsy
Ooh, a new way to use Hawaiian rolls! Can’t wait to try these!!
Sula
You will love them!
Chichi
These were perfect in the air fryer! Thank you.
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, thank you for the kind review!
Shannon
Absolutely ahhhmazing! This is so mouthwatering! I know what I'm having for dinner tonight! 😍
Sula
It's a favorite meal for us!