Ham and Swiss sliders made with homemade crescent roll dough are soft, fluffy, and irresistible — perfect for a Super Bowl party, potluck, or a hearty midday sandwich. The dough is made from scratch, rolled around Black Forest ham and chunks of Swiss cheese, then brushed with butter and Italian seasoning for a golden, savory finish. These bite-sized rolls disappear fast; serve them warm for melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
What Are Ham and Cheese Sliders?
Sliders are small sandwiches usually served as appetizers, snacks, or small meals. While many versions use store-bought dinner rolls, this recipe wraps ham and Swiss cheese inside a homemade crescent-style dough. The result is a richer, flakier roll with a buttery, herb-scented crust and a satisfying, gooey center. These are especially popular as game-day fare but work equally well for family dinners, picnics, or grab-and-go lunches.
Ingredients for Ham and Swiss Sliders
- Homemade bread dough: Use your favorite dinner roll dough recipe; a soft, slightly enriched dough works best for tender, fluffy rolls.
- Butter: Melted butter is brushed inside the rolled dough and again on the outside before and after baking for flavor and sheen.
- Italian seasoning: Dried Italian herbs add an aromatic savory note that pairs perfectly with ham and cheese.
- Black Forest ham: Thin sandwich-sliced ham folded to fit the dough wedges. Any quality deli ham works well.
- Swiss cheese: Choose a firmer Swiss or similar cheese so it holds up inside the roll; cut into long chunks about 4 inches by ½–¾ inch.
How to Make Ham and Swiss Sliders
- Prepare the dough: Follow your homemade dinner-roll dough recipe. Let it rise, then punch it down and divide into two large balls.
- Roll into circles: On a lightly floured surface, press each ball into a flat round and roll to roughly 18–19 inches in diameter.
- Brush with butter and season: Generously brush the rolled dough with melted butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Cut into wedges: Use a pizza cutter to slice each circle into 16 triangular wedges (32 total if using both dough balls).
- Assemble: Fold a slice of ham into thirds and place it lengthwise on a wedge, then add a chunk of Swiss cheese across the ham.
- Roll and tuck: Roll each wedge from the wide end toward the point, tucking the point underneath to secure the roll.
- Second rise: Place rolls on a baking sheet with space between each, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Finish with butter: Brush melted butter on the hot rolls for shine and extra flavor, then serve warm.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips
These sliders are easy to prepare ahead of time, which makes them ideal for entertaining.
- Refrigerate before baking: Complete the first rise, shape the rolls, then cover tightly and refrigerate up to 16 hours. When ready, let them come to room temperature and rise again (about 1½–2 hours) before baking.
- Freeze unbaked: Freeze shaped rolls on a baking sheet for 30–45 minutes until firm, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 4 weeks. Thaw on baking sheets, let rise 4–6 hours, and bake as directed.
- Freeze baked sliders: Cool baked rolls completely, flash-freeze on a sheet for about an hour, then store in sealed bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm briefly until the cheese softens.
Tips for Best Results
- Ask the deli to slice ham thin for easy folding, or choose sandwich-sliced ham from the package.
- Use a firmer cheese so it doesn’t fully melt out of the rolls; Swiss, smoked Gouda, or cheddar chunks work well.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet — leave space for the rolls to expand.
- Brush with extra melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven for shine and flavor.
Variations
- Swap the ham for turkey with smoked Gouda.
- Try roast beef with sharp cheddar.
- Add cooked bacon along with the ham for extra savoriness.
- Make a Mediterranean version with chicken, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta.
Quick Recipe Summary
- Prep time: about 30 minutes (plus rises)
- Cook time: 20–25 minutes
- Total time: approximately 55 minutes (active time varies with rises)
- Yield: about 32 small rolls (depending on size)
These ham and Swiss sliders are buttery, herb-scented, and truly melt-in-your-mouth. Making the dough from scratch elevates the flavor and texture compared with canned dough. Whether you serve them as party appetizers or warm handheld sandwiches, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and are easy to prepare ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.
More party recipe ideas:
Crispy Loaded Potato Skins — Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip — Chicken Lettuce Wraps — Baked Jalapeño Poppers — Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks — Spinach and Feta Puff Pastries — Bourbon Candied Bacon
Follow on Pinterest: Lingeralittle
Ham and Swiss Sliders Recipe
Homemade ham and cheese sliders wrapped in buttery, herb-brushed crescent dough. Soft, flaky rolls with melty Swiss and savory Black Forest ham.
Ingredients
- Homemade bread dough (enough for two large circles)
- ½ cup melted butter, plus extra for brushing baked rolls
- 2–3 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 lb sandwich-sliced Black Forest ham
- 1½ lb block Swiss cheese, cut into 4″ × ½–¾” pieces
Instructions
- Butter a large bowl and place dough inside. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour.
- Punch down dough and divide into two balls. Roll each into a roughly 18–19″ circle.
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Cut each circle into 16 wedges. Place folded ham and a cheese chunk on each wedge.
- Roll from the wide end to the point, tucking the point under. Place rolls on a baking sheet with 2″ between each.
- Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until golden. Brush with more melted butter and serve warm.
Nutrition (per roll, approximate)
- Calories: 297
- Fat: 14 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Sodium: 451 mg
Enjoy these buttery, savory sliders — they’re sure to be the highlight of any gathering.
