These Crack Ham and Cheese Sliders are hugely popular for parties. They're family friendly, easy to make in one pan with simple ingredients. My version adds just the right touch of spice.
We're making Crack Ham and Cheese Sliders in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends. You're going to want one of these. Or more. They are a party favorite, easy to make with simple ingredients, and always a hit with kids and adults alike.
A super close friend of mind makes these every year, and I'm sharing my version of her recipe, with a few little extra touches add in for those of us who like big and bold flavors.
Crack Ham and Cheese Sliders are perfect for any gathering or party situation. Serve them up for the holidays, for game day get togethers, backyard bbqs, anytime you want to feed a group.
Honestly, make these and people will love you for it. They are seriously delicious.
Let’s talk about how we make the best ham and cheese sliders ever, shall we?
Ingredients Needed
- Small Dinner Rolls. 12, or slider buns.
- Hot Honey Ham. 12 slices, deli ham.
- Baby Swiss Cheese. 6 slices, halved.
For the Sriracha Mayo
- Mayo. 1/2 cup.
- Sriracha Chili Sauce. 2 tablespoons.
- Lemon Juice. 1 tablespoon.
- Garlic. 1 garlic clove, minced.
- Salt. To taste
For the Crack Sauce
- Butter. 4 tablespoons, melted.
- Spicy Crown. 1 tablespoon, mustard.
- Small Shallot. 1, minced.
- Garlic. 3 cloves, minced.
- Spicy Chili Flakes. 1 tablespoon.
- Worcestershire Sauce. ½ teaspoon.
How to Make These Spicy Crack Ham & Cheese Sliders
Make the Sriracha Mayo
Whisk together the mayo, sriracha, lemon juice, garlic and salt until well combined. Set aside.
For the Crack Ham and Cheese Sliders
Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Set the bottoms of the rolls in a large baking pan and slather on the sriracha mayo.
Add to each a slice of ham. Fold the slice so it properly fits on the bun.
Top the ham with a half slice of cheese.
Add the bun tops.
For the Crack Sauce
Whisk together the melted butter, mustard, shallot, garlic, chili flakes and Worcestershire sauce. Generously brush the mixture over the slider buns. Use it all up! Sprinkle on a few more chili flakes for good measure!
For Crispy Sliders: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheeses are nice and melty and the buns are toasted.
For Soft Sliders: Cover in aluminum foil and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheeses are nice and melty.
Serve!
BOOM! That’s it, my friends! Super easy, right? I love easy, especially around the holidays when my schedule is NUTS.
Storage & Make Ahead
Store the sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate them promptly. I do not recommend freezing them, as it affects texture.
Make Ahead
Let the ham and cheese sliders sit for up to a day after you brush on the crack sauce. Cover and store the baking dish in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. Waiting at least one hour to bake them lets the crack sauce firm up a bit and better permeate the buns.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Easy Meal or Party Food. What I LOVE about this recipe is that you can serve it as a quick and easy meal, or for a party situation. Make a large batch to entertain your guests. A close friend of mine makes them multiple times of year for gatherings. Everyone loves them.
- Cheese Choices. Baby Swiss is more traditionally used for crack ham and cheese sliders, but try Pepper Jack, or Habanero cheese for a kick.
- Sriracha Mayo. You can make the sriracha mayo ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. I make it all the time. Check out my Sriracha Mayo recipe with extra tips and notes.
That’s it, my friends! I hope you enjoy these ham and cheese sliders. They truly are addictive. No joke. Gotta make myself another batch of this soon.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Crack Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 small dinner rolls or slider buns
- 12 slices Deli Ham
- 6 slices Baby Swiss Cheese halved
FOR THE SRIRACHA MAYO
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons sriracha chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Salt to taste
FOR THE CRACK SAUCE
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 small shallot minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon spicy chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
MAKE THE SRIRACHA MAYO
- Whisk together the mayo, sriracha, lemon juice, garlic and salt until well combined. Set aside.
FOR THE CRACK HAM AND CHEESE SLIDERS
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Set the bottoms of the rolls in a large baking pan and slather on the sriracha mayo.
- Add to each a slice of ham. Fold the slice so it properly fits on the bun.
- Top the ham with a half slice of cheese.
- Add the bun tops.
FOR THE CRACK SAUCE
- Whisk together the melted butter, mustard, shallot, garlic, chili flakes and Worcestershire sauce. Generously brush the mixture over the slider buns. Use it all up! Sprinkle on a few more chili flakes for good measure!
- For Crispy Sliders: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheeses are nice and melty and the buns are toasted.
- For Soft Sliders: Cover in aluminum foil and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheeses are nice and melty.
- Serve!
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This post was updated on 2/23/26 to include new information, including storage and make ahead steps. The recipe was not changed.
Paul:-) says
Hi Mike & Patty,
These sound and look gorgeous!
I doubt that I’ll be able to find that particular ham in the UK but I can think of several Polish Hams that would be similar.
I will try these soon.
Paul:-)
P.S. Half a tsp of Worcester sauce? Make it at least a full tsp!
Mike Hultquist says
Hey, Paul. Yes, definitely an American dish, but I think thinly sliced Polish hams can work nicely!! Enjoy!!
Meka says
Hey Mike I went to the website and tried to find the hot honey ham. It wasn't there. Where do I get it?
Mike Hultquist says
Here you go, Meka! https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/hot-honey-glazed-ham/
Dan says
Excellent! Sorry Kretschmar‘s but used Boars Head Hot Habenero and garlic ham. Another winning recipe.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!! Thanks, Dan! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Cyndi says
I made this recipe using the Hawaiian sweet rolls & they were AMAZING! I put some of the topping on the bottom of the pan before adding the bottom half of the roles to give it a little crisp bottom to match the top-I covered them to melt cheese then removed the foil & let them get crispy on top! Everyone LOVED them!
You are my new fav chef ! I am already working on your Chili Colorado recipe which is my absolutely favourite food anytime or day! I love hot food and here in Florida hot flavourful food is hard to come by.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!! Thanks, Cyndi! I know, these never last at parties. Glad you enjoyed them!
Leo says
Hey Mike, My wife makes a planer version of this and takes Hawaiian rolls and splits the whole loaf in half (tops and bottoms) then builds the sandwiches in the pan and after cooking them they cut perfectly apart. Just a step saver. BTW i love the sauce on these.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds GREAT, Leo! Definitely a nice time saver! Agreed on the sauce. YUM!
Lavina says
This looks amazing and incredibly delicious! Even though I don't think I'll be able to find Kretschmar products here in Hong Kong, I can't wait to try these with whatever brand of good quality ham and cheese I can get at my local supermarket. 🙂 By the way, that Crack Sauce looks BOMB! Thanks for sharing!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Lavina! I appreciate it! Yeah, this crack sauce is very addictive! Haha, beware!