These 30 minute Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders are outrageously delicious and easy to make. With ham piled high, gooey Swiss cheese, toasty buns, and my secret sauce, these sliders will have everyone begging for more.
A game-changer for using up leftover holiday ham or just because you’re craving ham and cheese sliders.
This recipe was made for my fellow “no food waste” warriors! But I should clarify, this recipe is great for any thick-cut ham (leftover or not). You’ll also love…
- My secret sauce! These sliders are slathered in a brown sugar mustard sauce. It gives them a sweet and savory crunchy topping that pairs so well with the ham and Swiss cheese.
- They’re on the table in 30 minutes.
- Only 7 simple ingredients, most of them you will have in your kitchen right now.
If you have some leftover turkey too, try these cranberry turkey sliders.
The BEST Ham for Ham and Cheese Sliders
If you want to make deliciously epic Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders, then it has to be thick and meaty ham! Smoked ham, uncured boneless ham, and bone-in spiral hams all work great. You definitely want to stay away from over processed lunch meat, it tends to be thin and dries out as the sliders bake.
I should also mention sweet versus savory hams. Some hams are coated in honey, brown sugar, or other types of sweeteners to give them a sweet and crunchy exterior. Other hams are coated in spices to accentuate the natural sweet flavor. Both can be used, but I do prefer a naturally flavored or lightly sweetened ham.
Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders Ingredients
These aren’t ingredients, but you’ll also want to grab a basting brush and a 9×13 baking dish. They are the perfect size for fitting 12 sliders. I use my glass pyrex that comes with a lid, it makes clean-up and storing leftovers a breeze.
How to Make Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders
1. CONSTRUCT the sliders into a lightly greased 13×9 baking dish: bottom slider buns, half of the swiss cheese, ham, remaining cheese, and the top buns. Using a sharp knife, cut the sliders into 12.
2. SLATHER the top buns with a mixture of melted unsalted butter, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds.
3. BAKE uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the sliders are warmed through. Keep reading for my favorite sides and dipping sauces to serve with these Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders.
Sides and Sauces for Ham and Cheese Sliders
These Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders are super delicious on their own, but the right sides and sauces can take these handheld sandwiches to the next level!
Pairing them with flavorful sides like vinegar-based slaws or mayo-based salads, and punchy sauces really complement the savory and sweet flavors. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Cold Salads- potato salad, pasta salads like my lemon orzo salad, celery salad
- Potatoes- smashed potatoes, tater tots, sweet potato fries, potato chips
- Veggie Sides- steamed broccoli and cauliflower, roasted asparagus salad, a garden salad, candied carrots
- My favorite sides- baked beans, coleslaw, fresh vegetable tray, and leftover classic deviled eggs
- Dipping Sauces- more Dijon mustard, honey mustard, mustard aioli (this is what I used), sweet BBQ sauces, ranch
Make Ahead Information
These Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders are perfect for making ahead of time, up to 2 days in fact. All you have to do is construct, cover with an airtight lid, and refrigerate them.
Once you’re ready to bake the sliders, slather the butter and brown sugar mixture over the top and pop them in the oven.
Storing Information
Any leftover sliders should be stored in an airtight container and in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 days, sometimes longer depending on your refrigerator and the container you stored them in.
You can eat leftovers cold, or reheat them in the microwave or toasted oven.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
More Slider Recipes You’ll Love
Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sliders
EQUIPMENT
- 9×13 baking dish - glass with lid
- basting brush - silicone or boar bristles
INGREDIENTS
- 1 12 pack slider buns - brioche
- 12 slices swiss cheese
- 1-2 pounds ham - *please see notes below for details
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 375 °F. Lightly grease a 9×13 glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place bottom slider buns in baking dish. Top with 5 slices of Swiss cheese, then the ham, the remaining slices of Swiss cheese, and finally the top slider buns.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the sliders into 12 to seperate them.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted unsalted butter, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and poppy seeds.
- Using a basting brush, slather the top buns with the sauce.
- Bake the sliders covered for 15 minutes and uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the buns are toasty and the cheese has melted.
- Remove sliders from the oven and serve immediately.
RECIPE NOTES
The BEST Ham for Ham and Cheese Sliders
It has to be thick and meaty ham that is either naturally flavored or lightly sweetened. Smoked ham, uncured boneless ham, and bone-in spiral hams all work great. Stay away from over processed and thin lunch meat.Storing Information
- Refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.
- Freezing and storing at room temperature is not recommended.
Make Ahead Information
These can be made up to 2 days before serving. Just construct, cover with an airtight lid, and refrigerate. Slather them with the sauce once you’re ready to bake them.Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.