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Air fryer ham and cheese sliders with soft golden slider buns, savory sliced ham, gooey melted cheddar cheese, buttery tops, and fresh parsley, served as an easy party appetizer.
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Air Fryer Ham And Cheese Sliders - Easy, Cheesy, Crowd-Pleasing Bites

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 12 Hawaiian or slider rolls (keep them attached if possible)
  • 10–12 ounces sliced ham (deli or leftover ham, thinly sliced)
  • 8 slices Swiss cheese (or provolone, cheddar, or mozzarella)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (yellow mustard works too)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional but great for depth)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar (for a slight sweetness)
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional, classic slider touch)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt and black pepper
  • Optional add-ins: thinly sliced pickles, caramelized onions, or a swipe of mayo
  • Nonstick spray or parchment paper for the air fryer basket

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 350°F (175°C). If your model doesn’t officially preheat, let it run for 3 minutes.
  • Prep the rolls: Without separating the individual rolls, slice the whole slab horizontally to create a top and bottom. Keep the top intact.
  • Make the glaze: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, Dijon, Worcestershire, honey, poppy seeds, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Assemble the sliders: Place the bottom half of the rolls on a cutting board. Layer half the cheese, all the ham, then the remaining cheese. Set the top half of the rolls on.
  • Brush the top: Generously brush the butter-mustard glaze over the tops and sides. Reserve 1–2 teaspoons for a final brush after cooking if desired.
  • Basket setup: Line your air fryer basket with parchment (cut to size and perforated if possible) or lightly spray with nonstick spray.
  • Air fry: Carefully transfer the whole slab of sliders to the basket. Cook at 350°F for 6–9 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted. Start checking at 5 minutes. If the tops brown too fast, tent loosely with foil.
  • Finish and rest: Brush with the remaining glaze for extra shine and flavor. Let the sliders rest 2–3 minutes so the cheese settles, then slice along the roll seams.
  • Serve: Add pickles or a light smear of mayo if you like. Serve warm with chips, a salad, or fruit.