Ham and cheese sliders are a classic party snack that’s perfect for a variety of occasions. Along with being a tasty dinner idea, these mini sandwiches are also great for camping, youth group events, and potlucks! But the best thing about these tasty snacks is that you can make them ahead of time! You can make them up to six months ahead of time and freeze them until you’re ready to eat them. We love bringing these bunwiches camping with us. In a pinch, you can even cook them on the grate on the fire.
Watch how these sliders are made in the video below. You can also get ideas for other meals you can make ahead of time to take camping, like our hot beef sandwiches that are individually wrapped.
Ham and cheese sliders make for a quick and easy party snack Their compact size and tasty flavor combination make them a crowd-pleasing appetizer for any occasion But can you actually prepare these mini sandwiches ahead of time and freeze them?
The good news is yes, you can absolutely freeze assembled ham and cheese sliders for heating and eating later on down the road. With proper freezing and reheating methods, you can enjoy deliciously warm, melty sliders that taste like you just prepared them fresh.
Read on for a complete guide to successfully freezing and reheating ham and cheese sliders for meals and parties anytime.
Benefits of Freezing Ham and Cheese Sliders
It’s helpful to make ham and cheese sliders ahead of time and freeze them for many reasons:
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Saves time – no need to assemble at the last minute
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Allows making large batches for future events
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Reduces food waste from uneaten leftovers
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Provides quick appetizers or meals anytime
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Lets you prepare ahead when short on time
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Allows purchase of ingredients on sale for cost savings
With sliders ready in the freezer, you can be party ready at a moment’s notice!
How to Prepare Sliders for Freezing
Follow these tips for freezing ham and cheese sliders at peak quality:
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Assemble sliders with ham and cheese on bun bottoms. Leave tops off.
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Place assembled slider bottoms on tray or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Cover tray tightly with plastic wrap or foil, making sure to seal edges.
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Label freezer bag or container with contents and date.
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Place tray of assembled sliders in freezer bag or rigid container.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal bag or container tightly.
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Freeze sliders immediately at 0°F or below.
Proper prep helps your sliders freeze quickly for best preservation.
How to Freeze Ham and Cheese Sliders
Freezing ham and cheese sliders is simple with these steps:
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Prepare slider bottoms assembly-line style on a parchment-lined tray.
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Wrap tray tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Place wrapped tray in freezer bag or airtight container, removing excess air.
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Label package clearly with contents and freeze date.
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Freeze assembled sliders immediately at 0°F.
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Once frozen, store bag or container flat to maximize space.
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Keep frozen at a constant 0°F temperature.
Follow proper freezing protocol for delicious ready-to-bake sliders anytime.
How Long Do Ham and Cheese Sliders Last in the Freezer?
Stored consistently at 0°F, frozen ham and cheese sliders maintain optimal quality for:
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1-2 months in freezer bags
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3-6 months in airtight containers
For best taste and texture, bake frozen sliders within these timeframes. Freeze assembled sliders for faster prep later when ready to eat.
Tips for Freezing Ham and Cheese Sliders
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Line tray with parchment paper for easy removal after freezing.
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Wrap tray tightly before bagging or containerizing to prevent freezer burn.
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Use airtight rigid containers for longer freezer storage.
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Label each package clearly with contents and freeze date.
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Stack bags or containers flat in freezer to maximize space.
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Use frozen sliders within recommended storage timelines.
Proper freezing keeps your ham and cheese sliders party ready for heating and eating when you need them.
How to Thaw Frozen Ham and Cheese Sliders
To safely thaw frozen assembled sliders:
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator – about 12 hours.
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Thaw in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
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Microwave on defrost setting, checking often.
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Bake frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
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Never thaw sliders at room temperature or in hot water.
For food safety, cook fully thawed sliders immediately and do not refreeze.
How to Reheat Thawed Ham and Cheese Sliders
Follow these tips for warm, melty sliders:
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Cover thawed sliders loosely with foil and bake 20-25 minutes.
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Check frequently to prevent burning.
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Heat just until cheese melts and rolls are golden brown.
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For crispy rolls, unwrap and bake last 5 minutes uncovered.
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Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
With the right gentle reheating, your frozen sliders will taste freshly assembled.
Serve Ham and Cheese Sliders Hot or Cold
In addition to serving warm from the oven, you can also enjoy ham and cheese sliders chilled:
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Perfect finger food for parties straight from the fridge.
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Pack in lunches to enjoy at room temperature or chilled.
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For picnics or potlucks, store chilled with ice packs to keep cool.
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Sliders hold well for several hours out of refrigeration when kept chilled.
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Add sliced vegetables, chips or pasta salad for quick cold lunches and meals.
Ham and cheese sliders satisfy cravings whether served warm from the oven or ice cold right out of the freezer.
Enjoy Effortless Ham and Cheese Sliders Anytime
Freezing assembled ham and cheese sliders allows you to always have a delicious hot appetizer ready at a moment’s notice. Follow the tips above for success from freezer to oven.
With flavorful fillings sealed inside those soft slider rolls, all you need is a quick reheat for mouthwatering mini sandwiches your guests will love. End mealtime chaos with delicious sliders ready and waiting in your freezer.
What Cheese Goes Best with Ham?
When you make your own sliders at home, you can pick from a number of tasty cheeses. With ham, Swiss cheese seems to be the most popular choice, but these mini sandwiches also taste great with the following types of cheese:
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar Jack
- Colby Jack
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper Jack
- American
- Provolone
Can You Make Sandwiches Ahead of Time?
Sandwiches can easily be made ahead of time to help cut down on your prep work. It’s especially helpful to make sandwiches in advance if you’re preparing them for an event or party. Depending on when you want to eat them, there are two ways to store sandwiches that have already been made. You can store your sandwiches or sliders in the:
- Refrigerator. If you plan to eat your sandwiches in the next day or two, putting them in the fridge is a good idea. You can keep sandwiches in the fridge for up to two days. Cover your sandwiches and keep them cold until you’re ready to eat them. Also, if your sandwich has fresh vegetables or condiments, it’s best to leave those things off until you’re ready to serve it. This will keep the bread and veggies from getting soggy in the fridge.
- Freezer. For long-term storage, freezing your sandwiches is a good option. Frozen sandwiches can last up to six months. Fresh vegetables on your sandwich shouldn’t be frozen. It’s also not a good idea to keep sandwiches in the fridge. You can, however, add sauce and other toppings to your frozen sliders if you desire. For even cooking, make sure to let your sandwiches thaw all the way before reheating them.
Freezer-Friendly Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
FAQ
Can ham and cheese sandwiches be frozen?
Why put sliders in freezer?
How long do sliders last in the fridge?
How to prevent sliders from getting soggy?
Can you freeze ham & cheese sliders?
Ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls can be frozen for up to 3 months. To prepare, assemble the sandwiches and either bake in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes (just until the cheese melts), or wrap the dish tightly and keep it in the freezer. Note: You can also freeze the assembled sliders before baking.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
Can you freeze hot ham & Swiss sliders?
Come home to an easy supper: hot Ham and Swiss Sliders! Not only do they taste fabulous, but they’re also freezer-friendly. On a large work surface, slice the rolls in half through the middle. If they are attached as dinner rolls often are, you can leave them together in groups of six, and slice horizontally through each large mass of rolls.
How to reheat Ham and cheese sliders?
To reheat Ham and cheese sliders, cover them with aluminum foil and bake in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds. Ham and cheese sliders can be made without poppy seeds.