Ham Cheese Pretzel Sliders

Honey mustard ham and cheese pretzel sliders are my quick fix for those days when I crave a cozy bite with barely any work. The buttery tops mixed with that punchy ham always keeps everyone coming back for another. Great for sports night or whenever you need a comforting bite in a hurry.

Honestly, I whipped these up for family movie marathons and now I take them to football cookouts too. Friends always ask for how to make them before we’re done eating.

Delicious Ingredients

• Butter: Melting this and brushing on top keeps everything soft and adds that golden finish. I like it unsalted so it’s not salty overkill.
• Dijon mustard: Gives a burst of tang and blends smooth with the honey. If you can get one without weird stuff in it, go for it.
• Pretzel slider buns: These give a chewy, salty bite that totally upgrades the sandwich. King's Hawaiian or any soft pretzel buns work awesome.
• Honey: You need this for that sweetness. Real honey all the way if you want max flavor.
• Deli ham: Go for chunky thick slices so every bite’s filling and tasty. Skip the watery kind if you can.
• Marble jack or cheddar cheese: You want a cheese that melts perfectly. Go for fresh slices and pick one that gets gooey fast.

Easy Steps

Let Them Rest:

After you pull them from the oven, let the sliders chill a minute so they hold together when you pick them up.

Bake Uncovered Next:

Pop off the foil and toss the pan back in for about another ten minutes until you see the tops get shiny and crisp.

Cover and Bake:

Seal up the pan with foil and bake at 350°F for ten minutes. That’ll get the cheese all melty and everything piping hot.

Brush Melted Butter:

Zap butter in your microwave just until it’s liquid, then paint it all over those bun tops for shine and extra flavor.

Put the Sliders Together:

Set the sauced top buns over the cheese and ham. Press gently so nothing falls apart later.

Sauce the Buns:

Spoon your honey mustard mix on the tops of the buns, all the way to the sides, so everyone gets a taste.

Make Honey Mustard:

Mix honey and Dijon until it’s smooth. This will give that signature zip to the sliders.

Stack the Cheese and Ham:

Cover all the bottom buns with the ham, then place slices of cheese over that. Try to get some on every single one.

Slice and Set Buns:

Carefully cut all the slider buns in half with a bread knife so you end up with tops and bottoms. Pop all the bottoms into your lined pan.

Get the Pan Ready:

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil—even up the sides—so cleanup is super fast later.

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Best bit for me? The bottoms go crisp in the oven but the inside stays pillowy soft. My kids call it painting when they brush on the butter and it gets everyone laughing.

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Pop them in a tight container in the fridge—they'll be good up to a couple days. Warm them back up in a low oven with a loose bit of foil so the bread stays fluffy and the cheese gets nice and melty again.

Ingredient Swaps

No marble jack on hand? Try some pepper jack for a little heat, or even Swiss or mozzarella if you feel like mixing it up. You can use turkey too instead of ham, or swap any soft roll in if you can’t track down pretzel buns.

What Goes With It

Pickles or crunch slaw are awesome on the side. They also pair perfectly with a hot bowl of soup or some classic potato salad for the chillest meal ever.

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Food Culture

Small sandwiches like these pop up everywhere on sports weekends in the US. Going with pretzel buns is a fun twist that traces back to old-school German bakeries. The honey mustard adds a bit of Southern charm and makes them super kid friendly.

Recipe FAQs

→ What’s the best ham to use here?

Deli ham slices work great. Smoked or honey-glazed ham adds extra flavor.

→ Can I pick a different cheese instead?

Absolutely! Marble jack and cheddar are great, but Swiss or provolone give a different twist.

→ How can I keep the buns from getting soggy?

Start baking them covered to lock in moisture, then uncover at the end for crispy tops.

→ Is it okay to prep these ahead of time?

Totally. Put them together earlier, chill, and bake fresh when you’re ready to serve.

→ What’s a good swap for sauerkraut?

Switch it with grilled onions—they’re sweet and go awesome with the ham and cheese combo.

→ What’s an easy way to serve a crowd?

Cut the sliders up and serve them covered on a tray to keep warm. Add extra honey-Dijon for dipping!