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Easy Mini Ham and Cheese Sliders: Best Quick Preschool Lunch Idea

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These gloriously soft Hawaiian rolls are split and loaded with layers of thinly sliced ham and gooey Swiss cheese, all baked together in a single pan until the tops are glossy and the cheese is a stringy, molten dream. The magic is in the sauce—a simple brush of melted butter, Dijon mustard, a whisper of poppy seeds, and a tiny pinch of onion powder that bakes into a golden, flavorful crust.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12-count package Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (like King’s Hawaiian)
  • 1/2 pound thinly sliced deli ham (honey ham or black forest ham)
  • 6–8 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter.
  2. Without separating them, carefully slice the entire block of 12 Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish.
  3. Arrange the thinly sliced ham evenly over the bottom layer of rolls.
  4. Lay the Swiss cheese slices over the ham, overlapping if needed to cover all sliders.
  5. Carefully place the top half of the rolls back over the cheese and ham, lining them up as best you can.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
  7. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the entire top of the roll block with the butter mixture, making sure to get the edges and any cracks between the rolls.
  8. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the butter glaze is bubbly and fragrant.
  10. Let the sliders rest in the pan for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
  11. Using a sharp knife, cut between the rolls to separate them. Serve warm.

Notes

For best flavor, let assembled sliders sit in fridge for 30 minutes before baking. Can assemble night before and refrigerate; add 2-3 minutes to covered baking time if starting from cold. Don’t skip the 5-minute rest after baking to allow cheese to set. Watch closely during uncovered baking to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini ham and cheese sliders, preschool lunch, easy lunch idea, kid-friendly, Hawaiian rolls, ham and cheese, quick dinner, lunchbox recipe

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