Hot Ham & Swiss Sliders With Poppy Seed Sauce

We usually buy a honey baked ham and prepare a few easy sides for Christmas dinners, but one year my Mom decided to shake things up and made these delicious ham & Swiss sliders that were a HUGE HIT with the whole clan!

In years past, we used to do a turkey dinner with all the trimmings but somewhere along the line we got smart and decided we were just too tired after all the festivities leading UP to Christmas. So we have adopted a much more laid back menu for our main Christmas Day meal together. These yummy sliders are perfect!

Related: A Festive Easter Dinner

I have since made these TWICE myself and everyone who has had them has agreed they are delicious!! Even got the stamp of approval from Sten, my youngest and pickiest eater. Even though they aren’t gluten-free, I don’t worry about that much, since Kell isn’t a fan of ham and cheese — gluten-free or not!

I made them the first time with frozen Rhodes rolls that you let rise and bake off, and the second time I made it even easier on myself and bought King’s Hawaiian rolls!  I actually preferred the latter! But the beauty is that you can use whatever you like.

I’m sharing them TODAY because I think they would be great as a New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day dish! Especially if you like to do a casual meal like we do.

Ham & Swiss Sliders

• 24 white rolls (I’ve used Rhodes frozen rolls and King’s Hawaiian)
• 24 pieces good deli ham (I used Boar’s Head Maple Honey Ham)
• 24 small slices swiss cheese (I used Lacy Swiss…yum!)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup miracle whip

Poppy Seed Sauce

• 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup (or 1/2 stick) butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

In a small bowl, mix together mayo and miracle whip.

Slice rolls and spread the mayo mixture onto each side (generous!) Place a slice of ham and a slice of swiss cheese inside of each sliced roll. I put TWO slices of each, but they were small

Put the top on the roll and place into a large baking dish or on a cookie sheet. Place very close together.

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients for the poppy seed sauce.

Baste the buns with the sauce.

Let sit for about 10 minutes, or until the butter starts to solidify.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

(Sandwiches can be assembled a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator. Allow rolls to come to room temperature before baking.)

The poppy seed sauce really puts these little morsels over the top in the flavor department. I can’t wait to try the same method with other meats and cheeses.

New Year’s Eve is tomorrow night! Make sure to stop at the deli TODAY!  :-)

What is on your New Year’s Eve/Day menu?