Ham delights are an easy, tasty, and crowd-pleasing party and game day treat that never fail to please. Think sweet Hawaiian king rolls, juicy ham slices, and melty Swiss cheese all covered with an irresistibly buttery poppy seed sauce for maximum crowd pleasing.
Add more flavor with smoked or honey ham and other types of cheese, or experiment with different cheese options! These ham treats make an excellent make-ahead dish for potlucks or party buffets.
Hawaiian Dinner Rolls
Robert Taira of King’s Hawaiian bakery in Hilo, Hawaii created these light and fluffy dinner rolls in the 1950s; they quickly become beloved favorites both among kids and adults alike. Famous for their distinctive sweet taste, stretchy dough also boasts a unique tanginess which delights kids as much as adults alike.
This recipe calls for basic bread ingredients plus sweet add-ins that give these rolls their distinct taste, such as buttermilk and pineapple juice for their tart-sweet flavour profile.
All-purpose flour provides the structure while sugars and yeast provide sweetness and tartness. You can create Hawaiian rolls by incorporating slices of ham and Swiss cheese into the dough before shaping it, creating delicious Hawaiian Rolls! Knead your dough for 10 to 15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic before shaping your rolls.
Ham
Ham delights are an irresistible party food in many Southern homes. Combining sweet rolls, salty ham and melty cheese creates an irresistible treat that guests of all ages are sure to appreciate. Plus, they’re easy to prepare in advance – plus even freeze before baking!
Hawaiian dinner rolls make great sandwiches as they have a slightly sweet and tender texture that’s ideal for these sliders, although potato or other small plain buns would work just as well. We suggest using either leftover holiday ham from the deli as the slider filling, but other types of meat could work just as well if desired. Everything bagel seasoning adds extra flavor; sesame seeds or flaky sea salt could also work just as well for this dish! This delicious recipe can quickly become your new go-to dish when tailgating parties, girls’ nights out or casual lunch or supper occasions with friends!
Swiss Cheese
These sliders combine classic flavors deli ham and Swiss cheese for a delicious combination, but what really sets them apart is the tangy butter sauce brushed on before baking. Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds and onion powder in the melted butter create an aromatic layer that brings life to your sweet, fluffy Hawaiian dinner rolls.
Double or triple this recipe if necessary to serve a crowd, and feel free to prep them ahead. Assemble the sandwiches through Step 4, cover with foil, and store in the refrigerator. When ready to bake them, remove foil and brush with seasoned butter sauce before following baking instructions as instructed – serve warm.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is an extremely versatile condiment, often used as a sandwich spread or wrap filling, dip for vegetables or chips, base for salad dressings and sauces or even baked goods like cakes and cookies.
Homemade mayonnaise requires eggs, water and oil. The eggs serve to bind together all three components while lemon juice or vinegar’s acidity helps emulsify the oil into an even consistency – and also gives this classic dish its unique flavor!
Samin Nosrat notes in her cookbook Salt Fat Acid Heat that making mayonnaise is relatively fool-proof if you follow certain guidelines, according to Child and Beck. Child and Beck suggest using fresh eggs that are in perfect condition – further minimizing risks by pasteurizing before adding the mayonnaise ingredients.
Poppy Seed Sauce
These sliders take it from good to great with a sweet poppy seed sauce made of butter, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and poppy seeds poured over them.
The recipe calls for deli ham, but any kind of sliced ham will work just as well. Additionally, Swiss cheese may be replaced by any type of meltable shredded cheese that melts well.
Poppy seed dressing makes a delightful, tart dressing that pairs perfectly with fruit and vegetable salads, or can even serve as a dip! If apple cider vinegar is unavailable, other white or red wine vinegars can be substituted; or try replacing fresh thyme with dried thyme instead!