Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders

Super Bowl-Worthy Ham & Cheese Sliders (Fast Air Fryer Method)

Air fryer ham and cheese sliders are a delicious, inexpensive, and quick meal you can make in under 30 minutes. They’re warm and melty in the middle, lightly crisp on top, and perfect for everything from an easy family dinner to a Super Bowl snack spread.

What Are Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders?

Air fryer ham and cheese sliders are mini sandwiches made with soft rolls, layered ham, and melty cheese, then cooked in the air fryer until warm and lightly crisp. The circulating hot air melts the cheese evenly and helps prevent soggy buns.

How Long Do You Cook Ham and Cheese Sliders in the Air Fryer?

Ham and cheese sliders cook in the air fryer at 330°F for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the air fryer model and the thickness of the rolls.

Why Make Ham and Cheese Sliders in the Air Fryer?

Making ham and cheese sliders in the air fryer is faster than baking them in the oven and helps keep the rolls from becoming soggy. The hot circulating air melts the cheese evenly while lightly toasting the tops.

Are Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders Good for the Super Bowl?

Yes—air fryer ham and cheese sliders are ideal for Super Bowl parties because they cook quickly, are easy to serve, and stay warm and melty without falling apart. Make them in batches and keep them warm until kickoff or halftime.

Table of Contents for Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders

3 Ingredient Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders

This ham and cheese slider recipe is awesome because you only need 3 ingredients for the base sliders. The poppy seed glaze is optional—but it adds that buttery, sweet-savory flavor that makes these a total crowd favorite.

Ingredients

• 12 mini sweet rolls
• 1/2 to 1 pound ham (deli ham or leftover ham, sliced thin)
• 8 slices Swiss cheese

Ingredient Notes

Rolls: Hawaiian sweet rolls work great, but you can use any pack of mini rolls. A pack of 12 buttery sweet rolls fits well in a larger air fryer basket (like many 5–6 qt models). If you have a smaller air fryer, use a smaller grouping of rolls and cook in batches.

Ham: Adjust the amount of ham depending on how meaty you like your sliders. I used about 3/4 pound of sliced deli ham, but you can do less or more.

Cheese: Swiss is classic, but cheddar, provolone, Colby jack, and more all work. For extra melty sliders, layer cheese both under and over the ham.

Simple Poppy Seed Glaze Ingredients

This recipe tastes amazing with a sweet and buttery poppy seed glaze. You only need a handful of ingredients to make it, and it’s especially perfect for game day.

• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch black pepper

Note: If you want to enjoy ham and cheese sliders without poppy seeds, either omit the poppy seeds from the glaze mixture (it will still be tasty!) or skip the glaze and brush melted butter onto your sliders.

Glaze Instructions

Before cooking your sandwiches in the air fryer, melt the butter in the microwave. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.

Ham and Cheese Sliders Time and Temperature

Cook the sliders at 330°F for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown. Because air fryer makes and models differ, start checking around 10–12 minutes and adjust as needed.

Food safety note: If you’re using leftover ham, follow safe storage and reheating guidance. For general best practices, see USDA food safety information on leftovers. USDA leftovers and food safety

How to Make Ham and Cheese Sliders in the Air Fryer

This recipe is so incredibly easy to make in the air fryer. Keep the rolls together as one sheet for the easiest assembly and slicing.

Step 1: Oil the air fryer basket

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil. I like to fill one of these oils in my reusable oil sprayer.

If you don’t have an oil sprayer, brush oil on the air fryer basket or use a piece of parchment paper so the buns don’t stick.

Note: Some aerosol cooking sprays may contain additives that can wear nonstick coatings over time. When in doubt, use a refillable sprayer or brush on oil.

Step 2: Cut the rolls in half

Take the entire package of rolls (do not separate them) and slice them in half so you have one big bottom half and one large top half.

Step 3: Layer the sandwiches

Place the bottom half of the rolls in the air fryer basket. Then layer:

1. Half of the cheese
2. The ham
3. The remaining cheese
4. Then the top half of the rolls

Step 4: Add the glaze

Brush the poppy seed glaze onto the tops of the sliders. If there’s extra glaze, drizzle a little between the cracks so it soaks into the nooks and crannies.

Step 5: Air fry the sliders

Close the air fryer and cook the sliders for 12–15 minutes at 330°F.

Important Note: Because all air fryer makes and models are different, cooking time may vary. Pull out the sliders when the cheese is melted and the tops are browned to your liking.

Super Bowl Party Tips (Make-Ahead + Serving Ideas)

If you’re making air fryer ham and cheese sliders for the Super Bowl, these tips keep things easy and keep the snack table full:

• Make-ahead: Assemble the sliders (ham + cheese) up to a few hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add glaze right before air frying.
• Batch cooking: If your air fryer is smaller, cook 6 at a time. Tent finished sliders with foil to keep warm while the next batch cooks.
• Halftime reheat: Pop leftover sliders back in the air fryer for a few minutes at a lower temp until warmed through.
• Serving: Slice and serve on a platter with pickles, mustard, or a quick honey mustard dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep air fryer ham and cheese sliders from getting soggy?

I’ve found that this recipe works so well in the air fryer because the hot air lightly toasts the bread, melts the cheese, and bakes the glaze into the tops. If you’re still getting soggy sliders, try cooking at a higher temperature like 350–360°F and reducing the cook time so the sliders don’t burn.

How long should sliders go in the oven?

If you’d like to make a larger batch in the oven, prepare the recipe as written, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.

Can I make ham and cheese sliders without poppy seeds?

Yes! Either omit the poppy seeds from the glaze mixture (it will still be tasty), or skip the glaze and brush melted butter onto your sliders instead.

Do I have to use Hawaiian rolls for slider sandwiches?

No. Hawaiian sweet rolls work great for this ham and cheese slider recipe, but you can use any pack of mini rolls. The glaze adds so much flavor that even off-brand rolls taste amazing.

Final Thoughts

Air fryer ham and cheese sliders are such a quick and delicious meal. They’re easy to scale for a crowd, simple enough for a weeknight, and always a hit on game day—especially for the Super Bowl.

Share with us in the comments: Are you team poppy seed glaze, or team buttery tops with no seeds?

More easy recipes you might like

• 4 Ingredient Crescent Roll Meatball Dinner Recipe in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Mini Pizzas Recipe
• Simple Air Fryer Tuna Melt
• Vegetarian Bean and Veggie Quesadilla
• More simple and inexpensive air fryer meals

Get more tasty recipes in the Yummy Air Fryer Recipe Cookbook.

Poppy Seed Ham & Cheese Sliders in the Air Fryer

Try this easy, delicious, and budget-friendly ham and cheese slider recipe, perfectly toasted in the air fryer with a poppyseed glaze. Here are some quick tips to make the best sliders!

4.58 / 5 ( 7 Reviews )

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Serves: 6

Adjust Servings: 6

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 pack Sweet Rolls 1 pack of 12 mini sweet roll sliders
• 3/4-1 pound honey ham sliced
• 8 slices swiss cheese or favorite cheese of your choice

Poppyseed Glaze Ingredients

• ½ cup butter unsalted (or salted and omit the salt)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon salt omit if using salted butter
• 1 pinch black pepper

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a little cooking oil such as avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil. I like to use oil in my reusable oil sprayer. If you don't have an oil sprayer (don't use PAM), brush oil onto the air fryer basket or use a piece of parchment paper.
• Take the sweet rolls and cut them in half. Make sure to not break them apart.
• Place the bottom layer into the air fryer basket. If your air fryer basket is smaller than my 5.8qt Cosori air fryer, then break apart the rolls until they fit in your air fryer basket.
• Add a layer of half of the cheese to the bottom half of the sweet rolls.
• Add a layer of of the ham, then add the rest of the cheese. Then top the sandwiches with the top half of the sweet rolls.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the butter and melt in the microwave. Add the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.
• With a baster brush, brush the tops of the rolls with the butter and seasoning mixture glaze. Pour any excess glaze in-between the nooks and crannies of the rolls.
• Air fry for 12-15 minutes at 330 °F, or until cheese is melted and tops are browned to your liking.

Recipe Notes

See recipe post for frequently asked questions about this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 37g | Sodium: 1157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g

Recipe Adapted From: Lil Luna

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