Easy, cheesy, sweet, savory, and everything you could want in a crowd-pleasing appetizer, addition to your Easter brunch spread, or even a fun lunch for the kiddos.
I love to make different flavors of these mini sandwiches for my kids because you can really customize them with whatever you have on hand. When I was dreaming up a new quick Easter recipe for you, I knew I wanted to incorporate classic Easter ham, so these ham and cheese sliders with fig jam were a no-brainer.
They take just 30 minutes from start to finish, and are truly love and first bite with the melty cheese, sweet jam, and fresh toppings. Customize them for your family this weekend, and come back to them whenever you need a fun app!
Everything you’ll need to make these ham and cheese sliders
These sweet and savory sliders require super simple ingredients that make them absolutely delicious:
- Bread: we’re using a package of Hawaiian rolls — such a nostalgic, soft, subtly sweet bread.
- Jam: the sliders get more lovely sweetness from fig jam (or preserves).
- Ham: you’ll, of course, need some sliced ham. See below for more meat options!
- Cheese: I like to use slices of havarti on these sliders, but I’ve included even more cheese ideas below as well.
- For the topping: before baking the sliders to gooey perfection, you’ll brush the tops with a mixture of melted butter, grated parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
- To garnish: after baking, add arugula for a zippy freshness and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a little tang. Perfection!
Customize your sliders
There are so many fun ways to really make these little sandwiches your own:
- Swap the ham. 12 ounces of cooked bacon slices is an excellent substitute for ham. You could even add chopped, leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, or feel free to sub sliced deli turkey! YUM.
- Switch up the jam. Apple butter, pumpkin butter, cranberry sauce/jam, or apricot preserves are all great options, too!
- Choose your cheese. Get creative by using your favorite cheese — pepper jack, white cheddar, or brie would all be amazing.
- Pick your veggies. Spinach, sliced red onions, and avocado would also be delicious swaps or additions to these sliders.
Our fav way to jazz them up
These ham, cheese and fig sliders are delicious with caramelized onions, too — just add them on top of the ham before baking the sandwiches!
Can I make them gluten-free or dairy-free?
- To make gluten-free: use your favorite small, gluten-free bread rolls. If they’re not stuck together in a pack like Hawaiian rolls, you’ll want to slice open each one, arrange them in your pan, add the fillings, and place the top of the roll back on top before brushing and baking.
- To make dairy-free: use your favorite dairy-free cheese that melts well, plus dairy-free/vegan butter on top.
Ham, cheese, and fig sliders in 4 steps
- Prep your pan. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Assemble the sliders. Slice the rolls horizontally with a serrated knife and place the bottoms on your pan. Evenly spread the jam, then top with cheese and ham. Put the tops back on the rolls.
- Brush & bake. Mix the melted butter, parmesan, and garlic powder in a small bowl, then brush it all over the tops of the rolls and bake.
- Garnish & serve. Remove from the oven, open the rolls, and top with arugula and balsamic. Slice them up and serve!
Make them ahead of time
Feeding a crowd? You can absolutely prep these 1 day ahead of time:
- Assemble the fig jam, cheese, and ham (do not add garlic butter until ready to bake).
- Cover with foil and place in the fridge for up to 1 day.
- The next day, brush the tops with the garlic butter, bake, and then finish with arugula and balsamic.
Tools you’ll need
Get all of my fav kitchen tools here!
More appetizers you’ll love
- Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites
- Matt’s Olive Cheese Bread
- Pizza Puff Pastry Tarts
- Vegetarian Three Cheese White Bean Buffalo Dip
- Roasted Strawberry, Basil & Goat Cheese Crostini
Get all of my appetizer recipes here!
I hope you love these ham and cheese sliders with fig jam! If you make them, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Ham & Cheese Sliders with Fig Jam
Ingredients
- Sandwich filling
- 1 package (12 ounce pack) Hawaiian sweet rolls (12 rolls)
- ½ heaping cup fig preserves/jam
- 8 ounces of havarti cheese sliced (or sub pepper jack,
- white cheddar or brie!)
- ¾ pound sliced ham
- Garlic Parmesan Butter topping
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Extras
- 2 cups arugula
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. If you prefer, you can line the pan with parchment paper so you can easily pull the rolls out of the pan.
- Use a serrated knife to halve the rolls horizontally and place in the prepared pan. Spread fig jam over the bottom half of the rolls, then add cheese slices in a single layer and finally top with ham slices. Place the tops of the rolls.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Brush the mixture on top of the rolls, then transfer to the oven and bake until the rolls are golden brown and cheese is melted, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and open the top of the rolls. Top ham with arugula and drizzle with balsamic glaze, then cut into individual sliders and enjoy! Makes 12 rolls.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
These look so good! I want to make the for Easter brunch. My sister is vegetarian, would this recipe work with eggs instead of ham?
Sorry to miss this before Easter! You could definitely try these as breakfast sliders with eggs – let me know if you gave it a shot 🙂
Yummo! I’ve had my share of sliders, but the fig jam made these next level. I skipped the arugula because I didn’t have it on hand. This one will definitely be my go-to slider recipe!
So good! Glad you enjoyed!
Used a thick pear and quince jam with a bit of deli turkey and ham with gouda and I could NOT stop eating them! Made a simple garlic parm butter to spread on top. Absolute must try and so easy!
Love that!!
Another good one 👍
Glad you enjoyed!