Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders

Elevate your snacking game with these delicious, 10-minute Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders! Deli ham and Swiss Cheese are stuffed in Hawaiian rolls with creamy mayo, brushed with a homemade garlic butter sauce, and air-fried until perfectly crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. 

Transform a classic ham and cheese sandwich into perfected toasted, gooey, bite-sized air fryer sliders with this easy recipe! Each slider features layers of savory ham, melted Swiss cheese, and rich mayonnaise in sweet, fluffy Hawaiian rolls. The outsides of the sandwiches are brushed with a homemade buttery garlic spread before cooking in the air fryer. 

Preparing the Hawaiian roll sliders in the air fryer gives them an irresistible outer crunch while maintaining a melty center. They are the ultimate finger food when you need a quick and filling snack, a crowd-pleasing party appetizer, or a satisfying main dish option.    

For more easy recipes to make sliders in the air fryer, try my Air Fryer Bagel Breakfast Sliders, Air Fryer Chicken Pesto Sliders, or Air Fryer Italian Beef Sliders.

Ingredients

Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make ham and cheese sliders in the air fryer:

• Hawaiian Rolls: These sweet, fluffy dinner rolls serve as the base for the sliders with a tender inside and get perfectly crispy on the outside when cooked. King’s Hawaiian rolls are a classic choice, or you can use Hawaiian Sweet rolls or regular slider rolls. 

• Deli Ham: Thinly sliced deli ham adds a savory, meaty flavor to the sliders. Choose your favorite variety like honey-glazed ham for a sweeter taste or smoked ham. 

• Swiss Cheese: Adds a creamy, nutty, slightly tangy flavor and melts beautifully when cooked in the air fryer to give the sliders an irresistible gooeyness. 

• Mayonnaise: Gives the sliders a creamy whipped filling that pairs well with the ham and cheese. Use full-fat mayo for the richest, creamiest texture and flavor.

• Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy, savory flavor to the garlic butter sauce. Use regular Dijon mustard for a smooth texture and spicier kick or stone ground Dijon for a grainy texture and sharper taste. 
• Butter: Melted butter adds creaminess to the spread to enhance the flavor and helps the ham and cheese sliders air fryer recipe achieve a golden-brown crust.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor to the buttery sauce to give the sliders a delightful hint of garlic without overpowering. 
• Onion Powder: Complements the garlic powder flavor to give the sauce a more robust savory taste and depth of flavor. 
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy depth to the garlic butter and provides a rich umami flavor that balances the other ingredients. 
• Poppy Seeds: Used in the buttery sauce to add a subtle crunch and slightly nutty flavor and also as a garnish sprinkled on top of the finished sliders. 

How to Make Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders 

Prepare garlic butter. Preheat the air fryer to 350ºF for at least 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds. Set aside.

Assemble sandwiches. Slice the dinner rolls in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Spread a generous layer of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each roll. Layer the deli ham slices evenly over the mayonnaise, then add slices of Swiss cheese. Add the top halves of the dinner rolls on top of the filling. 

Add garlic butter. Use a basting brush to top each slider with the garlic butter mixture.

Cook. Space the sliders evenly in the air fryer basket so there is a little space between them (cook in batches as necessary). Cook for 5-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and the outsides are golden-brown. 

Garnish & serve. Remove the sliders from the air fryer and sprinkle with additional poppy seeds, Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, or dried parsley flakes if desired. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Pro-Tips For Making This Recipe

• ​Use fresh rolls. Choose fresh Hawaiian rolls for the best air fryer sliders ham and cheese recipe. You want the rolls to have a soft, fluffy inside and crisp well on the outside.
• Generously add the garlic butter. Don’t be shy when adding the garlic butter mixture to the sliders. It adds flavor and helps the sliders achieve a golden-brown exterior with a slight crunch. 

• Evenly layer ingredients. Distribute the ham and cheese slices evenly across the rolls to ensure each slider has a balanced filling. 

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer. Place the sliders in a single layer in the air fryer so there is room between each; this ensures they cook evenly. Cook in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. 

• Keep an eye on the cooking time. The model of your air fryer and the thickness of the sandwiches can influence how long to cook Hawaiian roll sliders. Check them frequently to prevent overcooking the sliders in the air fryer. 

• Rest before serving. Allow the sliders to cool briefly for a minute or two before enjoying them. This helps the filling set slightly so it doesn’t ooze out off the rolls when eaten. 

Recipe Substitutions 

Below are optional ingredient substitutions to suit your taste and dietary preferences as desired:

• Meat: Instead of deli ham, swap with thinly-slice turkey, roast beef, pastrami, or prosciutto. Or use plant-based deli slices like vegan ham or turkey. 
• Cheese: Swap the Swiss cheese for another mild-flavored, melty cheese like cheddar, provolone, pepper jack, gouda, or mozzarella. Or use dairy-free cheese slices. 
• Bread: Trade the Hawaiian rolls for brioche buns, regular slider rolls, pretzel rolls, potato rolls, or mini ciabatta buns. Or use gluten-free slider buns. 

• Mayo: Use reduced-fat mayonnaise for a lighter option or vegan mayonnaise for a dairy-free option. 

• Mustard: Opt for honey mustard to add a sweeter tangy taste or spicy brown mustard to add some heat. 

• Butter: Swap with olive oil, melted ghee, or margarine, or use plant-based butter for a dairy-free alternative. 

• Worcheshire Sauce: Substitute with soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos for gluten-free options, or balsamic vinegar for a similar tangy taste. 

• Seeds: Instead of poppy seeds, you can use sesame seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Or omit this ingredient for a seed-free option. 

Serving Suggestions 

Enjoy these ham and cheese sliders with your favorite dipping sauce like honey mustard, au ju, or extra mayo for game days or group gatherings. They also make a great lunch or dinner paired with sides like some of our favorite recipes below:

• Air Fryer Spinach Strawberry Salad
• Air Fryer Copycat Chick-Fil-A Waffle Fries
• Copycat Tony Tomas Coleslaw

Storage Directions

Allow the sliders to cool completely to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300ºF for 3-5 minutes until warm.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I make ham and cheese sliders ahead of time? Yes! You can assemble the sliders (waiting to add the garlic butter) and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, brush with the garlic butter then cook the Hawaiian rolls in the air fryer according to the recipe. 

How do I keep sliders warm for a party? Keep the cooked sliders in the oven warmed at 200ºF until ready to serve. This will ensure they stay hot and gooey without drying out. 

More Kings Hawaiian Slider Recipes

• Sausage Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
• Air Fryer Sliders
• Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
• Air Fryer Loose Meat Sandwiches

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