These Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders are the perfect addition to your next game day or party spread! The combination of honey-maple glazed ham, melted cheese, and a sweet Hawaiian roll makes for an irresistible snack that your friends and family will love.
They only require a few simple ingredients and just minutes in the air fryer. Plus, these sliders can easily be made ahead of time and reheated in the air fryer for a quick snack whenever you need it.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- A great appetizer for parties and baby showers.
- They come together quickly making them perfect for an easy meal.
- You only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty dish.
If you love air fryer recipes like this you may also enjoy this Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders recipe.
Ingredients
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
- Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders: Replace the regular ham with sliced deli ham. Add a pineapple ring to each slider. Top with a sweet glaze made from equal parts honey and soy sauce. Switch up the cheese and use Swiss or cheddar cheese instead. I like to use the sweet rolls, however, you could switch them out for butter rolls, or your favorite dinner rolls.
- BBQ Ranch Ham and Cheese Sliders: Mix equal parts BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. Use this mixture to coat the ham before assembling the sliders. Top with cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
- Spicy Ham and Cheese Sliders: Replace the regular ham with sliced pepper jack cheese. Add a slice of jalapeño to each slider. Top with a sprinkle of cumin and chili powder.
How to Make Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders
Step 1: Make the topping
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, poppyseeds, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. Set aside.
Step 2: Slice the rolls and add the meat and cheese.
Slice the rolls and add to the air fryer. On top of the roll bottoms, create layers of ham and cheese. Add the tops of the dinner rolls.
Step 3: Cut the rolls apart
Cut the sandwiches apart. Place the sliders into the air fryer in a single layer with a small space between the sandwiches to allow the air to circulate.
Step 4: Brush with topping
Brush the butter mixture over the sliders.
Step 5: Air fry the sliders
Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese has melted, and the sandwiches are browned.
Serving Suggestions
Offer suggestions of what to serve with this dish. Include at least two suggestions. If more than two, create a bulleted list.
Pro Tips
- Choose a soft, fluffy bun. The bun plays a big role in the texture and overall taste of the slider. Look for buns that are light and airy, yet sturdy enough to hold up to the fillings.
- Use deli-sliced ham. Deli ham is thin and easy to layer, which makes it the perfect choice for sliders. Feel free to use any type of ham you like, whether it’s smoked, honey-glazed, or black forest.
- Mix up the cheeses. While cheddar cheese is the classic option for ham and cheese sliders, don’t be afraid to mix things up. Try using Swiss cheese for a milder taste, or pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
- Add some flavor with condiments. Mayo, mustard, and honey mustard are all great choices for adding some extra flavor to your sliders. You can also try adding some BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for a fun twist.
- Layer your fillings. To ensure that each bite is full of flavor, it’s important to layer your fillings in a specific order. Start with the ham, then add the cheese, and finish with any condiments or toppings.
- Toast or grill your sliders. To take your sliders to the next level, try toasting or grilling them for a few minutes. This will give them a nice crispy texture and help to melt the cheese.
Storage
Leftovers – Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheating – Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the sliders on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Freezing – To freeze, wrap each slider tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. The sliders can be frozen for up to 2 months.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Ham and cheese sliders are a complete meal on their own, but you can also serve them with a side salad, chips, or french fries for a more complete meal.
Yes, you can replace the ham with sliced vegetarian ham or even use grilled vegetables as the filling. Add your favorite cheese and toppings, and you’ll have delicious vegetarian sliders.
Yes, you can assemble the sliders ahead of time and then store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them. Follow the instructions for the recipe, but don’t bake them in the oven or air fryer until you’re about to serve them.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you like to use your air fryer, give these recipes a try:
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- small bowl
- pastry brush or bbq brush
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons poppyseeds
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 12 Hawaiian Rolls
- 1 pounds thinly sliced deli ham
- 12 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 300 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, poppyseeds, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. Set aside.
- Slice the dinner rolls through the middle. Place the bottoms on the prepared baking sheet.
- On top of the roll bottoms, create layers of ham and cheese. Add the tops of the dinner rolls.
- Cut the sandwiches apart. Place the sliders into the air fryer in a single layer with a small space between the sandwiches to allow the air to circulate.
- Brush the butter mixture over the sliders.
- Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese has melted, and the sandwiches are browned.
Notes
- Choose a soft, fluffy bun. The bun plays a big role in the texture and overall taste of the slider. Look for buns that are light and airy, yet sturdy enough to hold up to the fillings.
- Use deli-sliced ham. Deli ham is thin and easy to layer, which makes it the perfect choice for sliders. Feel free to use any type of ham you like, whether it’s smoked, honey-glazed, or black forest.
- Mix up the cheeses. While cheddar cheese is the classic option for ham and cheese sliders, don’t be afraid to mix things up. Try using Swiss cheese for a milder taste, or pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
- Add some flavor with condiments. Mayo, mustard, and honey mustard are all great choices for adding some extra flavor to your sliders. You can also try adding some BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for a fun twist.
- Layer your fillings. To ensure that each bite is full of flavor, it’s important to layer your fillings in a specific order. Start with the ham, then add the cheese, and finish with any condiments or toppings.
- Toast or grill your sliders. To take your sliders to the next level, try toasting or grilling them for a few minutes. This will give them a nice crispy texture and help to melt the cheese.