Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a quick family meal? These mini sandwiches are the perfect solution! These savory ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches are brushed with a poppy seed and onion butter, then baked until toasty. Always a hit on game day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These little ham and cheese sandwiches are one of my boys’ favorite meals! But honestly, they go over well with kids and adults alike. And they’re so quick and easy to put together, I don’t mind making them often. In fact, my kids can pretty much make these sandwiches themselves.
I made this today for a family get together and it was a huge hit! Easy to put together and delish!
Dianna
The best part, if you ask me, is the buttery coating that is brushed over the sandwiches before baking. It adds so much flavor.
My go to rolls for this recipe are Kings Hawaiian–plain or whole wheat, whichever you prefer.
For an added kick, try spreading some additional Dijon mustard on the rolls before adding the ham and cheese. Or sub in honey mustard for the Dijon for a slightly sweeter version.
These sandwiches can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator, but you may need to bake them a few extra minutes, or let them come to room temperature first.
Even better, these can be made ahead and stored in the freezer. Which is so convenient if you’re hosting a party and want to get some of the prep work done ahead of time.
Just defrost the rolls in the refrigerator and then bake them as directed.
Whenever I serve these Hot Ham and Cheese Mini Sandwiches, they are always one of the first things to disappear. In fact, I always double the recipe because one dozen is never enough!
I made these for my book club and EVERYONE loved them! So yummy!
Jessica
What Should I Serve With These Sandwiches?
These sandwiches work great as a meal on their own, with some chips or salad as a side. They’re also a great accompaniment to soups and stews.
These are some of our favorite dishes to enjoy alongside these ham and cheese sandwiches.
Ingredients
- Dried Minced Onions – Using dried minced onions gives a concentrated onion flavor that complements the savory ham and cheese. Don’t worry, they soften up beautifully while baking.
- Dijon Mustard — Dijon mustard helps balance the richness of the butter and cheese.
- Poppy Seeds – Poppy seeds not only provide a slight nutty flavor but also add a delicate crunch to the sandwiches. They also make the sandwiches look pretty!
- Butter – Butter helps the sandwiches brown nicely in the oven while adding richness to every bite. I use unsalted butter.
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls – These rolls are soft and sweet, which pairs perfectly with the salty ham and cheese. You can also use any soft dinner roll if you prefer something less sweet.
- Sliced Deli Ham – Thinly sliced deli ham is ideal because it’s easy to layer and heats quickly.
- Swiss Cheese – Ham and Swiss is a classic combination. If you prefer something sharper, you could experiment with Gruyère or a sharp white cheddar.
Recipe Tips
- When slicing the rolls in half, try to keep the tops and bottoms intact as one sheet. This makes assembling the sandwiches easier and ensures even coverage with the ham, cheese, and butter mixture. Once baked, it’s easy to cut them into individual sandwiches.
- You may need to move your oven rack up to keep the rolls from getting too done on the bottom before the cheese is melted.
- Baking the sandwiches covered in foil ensures they stay soft and the cheese melts evenly. For the last few minutes of baking, you can remove the foil if you want a slightly crispier top.
- These sandwiches are great for making ahead. You can assemble them and store them covered in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Just don’t drizzle the butter mixture on top until right before you’re ready to bake!
How to Make Hot Ham and Cheese Mini Sandwiches
Step 1
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). This temperature will gently melt the cheese and heat the ham while keeping the rolls soft.
Step 2
Make the Butter Mixture: In a small mixing bowl, combine the dried minced onions, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and 1/2 cup of melted butter. Stir until well combined and set aside.
Step 3
Slice the Rolls: Keeping the rolls intact and, use a serrated knife to slice the entire sheet of rolls in half horizontally. You’ll have a solid “top” and “bottom” layer. Place the bottom half on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4
Assemble the Sandwiches: Layer the sliced ham evenly over the bottom half of the rolls. Then, top the ham with the Swiss cheese, making sure the cheese covers the ham evenly. Place the top half of the rolls on top of the cheese and ham layer.
Step 5
Brush with the Butter Mixture: Brush the prepared butter mixture evenly over the top of the rolls, making sure each roll gets a good coating.
Step 6
Cover and Bake: Cover the sandwiches with aluminum foil and place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the sandwiches are heated through.
Step 8
Slice and Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the oven and let them sit for a minute to cool slightly. Use a sharp knife to cut them into individual mini sandwiches. Serve immediately.
FAQs
Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time? Yes. These sandwiches can be assembled ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator. I recommend bringing them to room temperature before baking.
Can I freeze these ham and cheese sandwiches?Yes. Wrap the assembled sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, let them thaw in the fridge for a few hours or overnight, then drizzle with the butter mixture and bake as usual.
How long do leftovers last?Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can warm them in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
More Sandwich Recipes Try
- Leftover Pot Roast Patty Melts
- Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
- Pressed Italian Sandwiches
- Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
Hot Ham and Cheese Mini Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onions
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 dozen dinner rolls or 2 dozen party rolls such as King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 1/2 pound sliced deli ham
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small mixing bowl stir together 2 tablespoons dried minced onions, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds, and 1/2 cup melted butter.
- Leaving the 1 dozen dinner rolls or 2 dozen party rolls intact, slice them open so that you have one solid top and bottom.
- Place the bottom half on a baking sheet; top with 1/2 pound sliced deli ham and 1/2 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese. Place the top part of the rolls on the ham and cheese.
- Drizzle the butter mixture evenly over the rolls.Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Use a knife to separate the rolls into individual sandwiches. Serve immediately.
Video
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3 comments
Dianna Holbrook
I made this today for a family get together and it was a huge hit! Actually, it was my pin and I was the overseerer while my son and husband put it together. Next time we will add garlic to the utter mixture! Easy to put together and delish!
Holly B.
I had these at a birthday party an will be making them for a church women’s activity. These are sooooo good!
jessica
I made these for my book club and EVERYONE loved them! So yummy!